Caprice Resources Ltd (ASX:CRS) has begun detailed mapping and sampling at its recently acquired Mukinbudin rare earth element (REE) project, 250 kilometres northeast of Perth in Western Australia.
The Mukinbudin project covers 380 square kilometres and contains multiple pegmatites considered prospective for REEs.
An initial reconnaissance program and high level first-pass mapping was completed in late in 2022, which covered only 20% of the tenement.
This confirmed the historical mapping of 5 pegmatites and located 3 additional bodies, supporting the potential for further ‘blind’ pegmatites across the tenement.
Caprice Managing Director Andrew Muir said: “We are pleased to be able to follow up the initial on ground reconnaissance with a more detailed program.
“The initial work identified another five pegmatites, highlighting the potential opportunities within our REE Project.
“This coming program will enhance our understanding of the pegmatites and their prospectivity.
“In addition to Mukinbudin, we have completed the base metals RC drilling at the Lady Sampson prospect, within our Northampton Polymetallic Project.”
During the reconnaissance program, 37 grab samples were taken from available exposures across the 8 pegmatites.
While the assay results from the samples did not return material grades of rare earths, the results are suggestive of possible pegmatite fractionation with significant variable potassium/rubidium ratios highlighting the potential for REE enrichment.
While positive, with key anomalous pathfinders (rubidium, caesium and niobium) across the eight bodies, significant mapping and sampling is required to confirm the type of scale of the pegmatite bodies.
The primary aim of the current program is to undertake detailed mapping and sampling, with a view to understanding the mineralogy and compositional changes within the different zones of the pegmatites.
This will give key insights as to the prospectivity of the pegmatites and their potential to host REEs.
In addition to reviewing the known pegmatites, reconnaissance work will focus on identifying additional unmapped pegmatites.
