American Rare Earths Limited has launched its 2024 drilling campaign at the Cowboy State Mine (CSM) area in Wyoming, United States, marking a significant step in advancing the project towards pre-feasibility analysis.
The campaign, which began on July 8, 2024, aims to upgrade resource estimates and gather critical data for mine planning and pre-feasibility studies.
The drilling program encompasses 23 planned holes, including 11 core holes and 12 reverse circulation (RC) holes, totalling approximately 2,670 metres.
Core holes will drill around 1,590 metres, while RC holes will cover about 1,080 metres.
The campaign is expected to continue for six to eight weeks into August.
Donald Swartz, CEO of American Rare Earths, expressed enthusiasm about the campaign, stating: “This phase of in-fill drilling is crucial for upgrading our resource estimates and gathering essential data for pit design and environmental studies.”
He also highlighted the company’s partnership with FTE Drilling, which successfully completed the previous 2023 campaign on time and within budget.
The primary objectives of the exploration drilling include:
- Upgrading resource estimates to include a majority of measured and indicated resources
- Increasing resources at depth and to the west
- Collecting core samples for geomechanical, hydrological, and baseline environmental testing
- Gathering samples for additional metallurgical test work
To support these efforts, Century Geophysical will conduct televiewer and gamma logging, while WSP will assist with interpreting televiewer logs and collecting samples for geomechanical testing.
Richard Hudson, Chairman of American Rare Earths, commented on the significance of the drilling program, saying: “The data and samples collected will provide a solid foundation for our metallurgical test work and resource modelling, ultimately enhancing our ability to develop a robust and sustainable mining operation.”
As the campaign progresses, American Rare Earths plans to provide regular updates to investors on the results and findings.
This initiative represents a crucial step in the company’s efforts to develop what could potentially become one of North America’s largest rare earth deposits.