Australian heavy rare earths producer, Northern Minerals Limited has announced that assays from Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling at the Iceman and Dazzler prospects have uncovered ‘exciting new high-grade Heavy Rare Earth discoveries’.
The assay results follow preliminary drilling results which were completed by the company in August. Those drilling results highlighted extensive new exploration targets at Dazzler and Iceman in northern Western Australia. The results from the most recent drilling activities include:
- 18 metres at 9.10 per cent Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO)
- 21 metres at 2.15 per cent TREO
- 11 metres at 4.83 per cent TREO
These grades are said to be ‘significant’, given the existing Mineral Resource average grade of 0.63 per cent.
Dazzler is located south of their flagship Browns Range Pilot Plant on the edge of a small scarp adjacent to a strong geochemical soil anomaly. The prospect was previously drilled in 2013, in which seven RC drill holes were completed. These holes were located at the base of the scarp slope and drilled directly into the Browns Range Metamorphics (BRM) unit.
The Iceman prospect is located approximately 400 metres along strike to the southeast of Dazzler. This is the first drilling to occur at the Iceman prospect and was targeted on the edge of a small scarp adjacent to a strong geochemical soil anomaly. Following this, nine holes were drilled for 754 metres at Iceman.
Northern Mineral’s Managing Director and CEO, George Bauk said these ‘very high-grade assays’ confirms their belief of having two new discoveries located close to the Browns Range processing infrastructure.
“We will be mobilising as soon as practicable to follow up on these results as well as other high-priority areas targeting the Gardiner Sandstone unconformity,” Mr Bauk clarified.
Through the development of the Browns Range Project, Northern Minerals aims to be the first significant world producer of dysprosium outside of China.
Follow up drilling is planned for later in the year, but for now, more information on this announcement can be found here.
