Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) is encouraged by early rare earth element (REE) results from a maiden percussion drilling and trench sampling program at the Ivigtût and Grønnedal targets within its southwest Greenland multi-commodity project.
Initial XRF analysis of composite samples recorded in Greenland before shipment to an Australian laboratory have returned encouraging values for the high-value REEs praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd).
Strong Pr and Nd showings
These preliminary results indicate that the Grønnedal carbonatite complex could be significant on a global basis with respect to its Pr and Nd content.
At the Greenland sample preparation facility, handheld pXRF readings taken on five 1.5-metre composite samples from drill hole L3-9 returned an intersection average of 7.5 metres at 0.8% 4REO (lanthanum (La) +cerium (Ce) + praseodymium+ neodymium).
The Pr/La and Nd/Ce ratios were about 1.2:1 with the hole also returning 0.49% zinc+lead+nickel.
pXRF tests
These pXRF tests are not definitive in nature with all samples yet to be analysed at an Australian laboratory for REE and base metals as well as other major and trace elements.
Despite the results being preliminary, the company has interpreted them to indicate that the commercially more valuable REEs Pr and Nd are significantly enriched in the hole relative to lower value La and Ce.
This observation is consistent with academic studies as well as laboratory results received previously.
Higher proportion of Pr and Nd
The pXRF readings and laboratory assay results collected to date show a relatively large proportion of Pr and Nd, comprising up to 55% of the measured 4REE, much higher than many other REE deposit, including Mountain Pass in California with 17% and Mount Weld in Western Australia with 25%.
These commercially more valuable elements are often termed the ‘magnet feed’ REE, which are critical elements for high-performance magnets used by and in high demand from the automotive sector and for wind turbines.
Eclipse said the difference in composition at Grønnedal could have a positive implication on the so-called ‘basket price’. This is described by the sum of the proportions of the individual REOs in the product multiplied by the price of the individual REOs.
Samples are packed in containers for shipment to Perth, WA.
Waste dump sampling
At Ivigtût, the company has undertaken mineralised waste dump sampling.
Bulk samples were taken from five mineralised waste dumps (ROM size) from the Ivigtût historical cryolite mine to assess the mineral and chemical content.
The company believes these dumps contain a substantial volume of mineralised material that may be suitable for processing to recover saleable products.
Previous laboratory assessments have indicated the polymetallic nature of mineralisation in the pit from which the large volume of mineralised waste was produced, as shown in earlier laboratory results:
The company’s previous surface sample I21012 provided results of 165 g/t silver, 0.15% copper, 3.83% lead and 0.37% zinc.
Laboratory assessment of a historical drill core sample IVT 21 - 11(1) returned 9.86% zinc.
Laboratory results from the mineralised waste dumps returned relatively low TREO values, ranging from 2.26 to 161.44 ppm, however, the ratio of high-demand heavy to light REE is considered to be very encouraging.
Chemical and petrological assessment of the bulk samples in Australia will provide Eclipse with data to estimate the commercial potential in the waste dumps.
GPR survey mooted
The company is considering a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey for the Ivigtût precinct to assist with an assessment of the potential volume of mineralised waste material.
By calculating the size of the open pit and access tunnels and subtracting the cryolite concentrate that has been exported, it can be estimated that 2 to 5 million tonnes of ROM waste was deposited in the dumps as well as for landfill purposes during a century of mining.
There has been no comprehensive commercial assessment for other critical metals.
Samples from both targets have been prepared for shipment to an Australian laboratory for further analysis and the company expects to receive the first laboratory results in the first quarter of 2023.