American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR) has confirmed total rare earth oxide (TREO) values up to 8,359 parts per million (ppm), extending the rare earth mineralisation by 50% at its Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming.
The company’s reverse circulation (RC) drill program returned mineralisation at depths of 150 metres with significant intersections including:
- HC22-RM014 averages 3,958 ppm TREO over 148.5 metres;
- HC22-RM016 averages 3,495 ppm TREO over 148.5 metres;
- HC22-RM017 averages 3,922 ppm TREO over 132 metres; and
- HC22-RM015 averages 4,394 ppm TREO over 120 metres.
Key strategic project
ARR CEO and managing director Chris Gibbs said: "The initial assay results confirm consistent rare earth mineralisation from surface to depths of 150 metres, an increase of 50%.
“These are outstanding results as previous core drilling had confirmed mineralisation to only 100 metres.
“Just as importantly, mineralisation is open at depth.
“These results further enhance our belief that the Halleck Creek district is one of the largest rare earth deposits on a global scale and shaping up to be a key strategic project for the United States.
“We are looking forward to receiving further drill assay results and in addition, updating the market on metallurgical test work also currently in progress.”
Drill highlights
Preliminary assay results from 10 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes in the Red Mountain project area have an average TREO of 3,491 ppm using a cut-off of 1,500 ppm TREO.
Magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO) including the valuable neodymium and praseodymium comprise approximately 27% of the rare earths at Red Mountain.
The assay results demonstrate consistent rare earth mineralisation associated with clinopyroxene quartz monzonite (CQM) and fayalite monzonite (FM) rocks of the Red Mountain Pluton (RMP).
Notably, the mineralisation remains open at depth.
The company also identified low levels of penalty elements such as thorium and uranium.
Distribution of magnet rare earth oxide elements
Forward plan
ARR awaits the results for eight additional holes in the Red Mountain project area and 20 holes in the Overton Mountain project area.
The company will continue to compile and report assay data at Halleck Creek as it becomes available. Geological models and grade models are being created by Odessa Resources in Perth.
All this geological data will be used to define a maiden JORC resource estimate at Halleck Creek.
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