Power Minerals (ASX:PNN) has launched metallurgical and mineralogical studies at its Morro do Ferro Rare Earth Project (MDF) in Brazil, with more than 100 kilograms of drill samples tested for rare earth-hosting minerals, according to a Monday Australian bourse filing.

Initial analysis has identified bastnaesite-group minerals and a cerium-bearing phase, with further work underway to develop a processing flowsheet for a rare earth concentrate by the end of the year, per the filing.

The program will also evaluate the selective recovery of magnet rare earths while rejecting cerium-rich material and gangue, the filing said.

The company will conduct PQ-diameter drilling to obtain samples for 2027 metallurgical testing, supported by its core handling facility near the MDF Project in Brazil's Poços de Caldas district, the filing added.

The company's shares fell 4% in recent Monday trade.