Mineral exploration company Rincon Resources has announced that the use of portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis has been instrumental in identifying two distinct anomalous rare earth element (REE) trends in the Pokali North area within the West Arunta Project in Western Australia.
The two significant REE trends are within and near the Tin-Tungsten system at Pokali North and these trends are indicative of a high potential for REE deposits in the area.
The Total Rare Earth Element (TREE) results from rock-chip samples include samples KWRK094 (showing 0.48 per cent TREE), KWRK104 (at 0.43 per cent TREE), and KWRK107 (with 0.25 per cent TREE).
Additional rock-chip samples collected have highlighted two key findings:
- Confirmation of an anomalous REE trend (Trend-1) extending southeast of Pokali North, with rockchip KWRK070 returning 0.29 per cent TREO.
- Discovery of a second new anomalous REE trend (Trend-2) southwest and west of Pokali North and Jewel.
Rincon Managing Director Gary Harvey said: “Unearthing two REE trends is a significant result and further highlights the immense untapped potential of our West Arunta Project.
“The main trend,’ Trend-1’ at Pokali North is potentially related to Gravity Target 1 — which we were about to drill test with the first diamond hole.
“Two months will pass quickly, and we’ll be drilling away, clearly something to look forward to in early 2024.”
REE Trend-1 is potentially associated with a gravity target near Pokali North, which is slated for testing with diamond drilling.
The exploration has also yielded significant copper results, including 16.69 per cent Cu in sample KWRK120, 7.55 per cent Cu in KWRK118, and 1.85 per cent Cu in KWRK119 at Pokali East.
Due to unforeseen natural events, including severe lightning storms, multiple fire outbreaks, and the closure of access tracks, the 2023 diamond drilling program at Pokali has been deferred.
The program is now rescheduled to commence in late February 2024. Both Rincon Resources Limited and the drilling contractor are committed to this new timeline and are preparing for a robust restart of the drilling activities.
Harvey said: “No-one is more disappointed in the deferral of diamond drilling program than me.
“The team, including myself, waited over a week for the crew to arrive, only to have two severe storms and an outbreak of bushfires put an end to the program before we started.
“The unpredictability of the weather and for the safety of all personnel, the decision to defer was made.”