Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) is galvanised by mineralogical findings at its Grønnedal rare earths prospect within the Ivigtût Project in Greenland, where analysis has revealed a composite ferro-carbonate mineral containing elevated medium to heavy rare earths.
Recent mineralogical work and percussion drilling focused on pink-orange minerals over a 1.5-kilometre by 3-kilometre area on the broader Ivigtût asset, which has the potential to host several critical mineral commodities.
Eclipse first took the mineralogical microscope to Ivigtût in 2021, concluding there was scope for several elements, including rare earths. Fast forward to today, and three of the four Grønnedal rock samples examined at the CSIRO have confirmed rare earth minerals.
Drill and trench samples (collected at Grønnedal and the broader Ivigtût project late last year) are being analysed by an Australian lab, with results due in the next few weeks.
Grønnedal surface sample showing pink-orange rare earths (left) and maiden drilling and sampling at Ivigtût (right).
Active exploration to continue
Eclipse executive chairman Carl Popal said Grønnedal’s initial results were of great significance, particularly after drill core samples from the historical Ivigtût pit also confirmed the presence of rare earth mineralisation.
“The REE prospectivity at both Ivigtût and Grønnedal aligns with our strategy of becoming a leading supplier of metals and minerals used in the green energy industry,” he explained.
“Eclipse will continue to actively explore the historic Ivigtût pit and the nearby Grønnedal prospect during 2023.”
What does the data say?
Last year, Eclipse conducted pXRF analysis on five 1.5-metre composite samples from drilling at the Ivigtût project, unveiling rare earths like praseodymium/lanthanum and neodymium/cerium.
Looking at the Grønnedal rock chips, the explorer has identified unusual patterns for praseodymium/lanthanum and neodymium/cerium ratios compared with other rare earth carbonatite complexes, such as Mountain Pass in California and Mt Weld in Western Australia.
Lower lanthanum and cerium content — if confirmed by laboratory assays across the Grønnedal complex — would indicate the prospect contains a higher proportion of the commercially valuable magnetic rare earths, namely praseodymium and neodymium.
The latter are often termed the ‘magnet feed’ rare earths — critical elements for high-performance magnets used in the automotive sector and wind turbines.
Technically speaking, pXRF readings and lab results to date show a relatively large proportion of praseodymium and neodymium, comprising up to 55% of the four measured rare earths (4REE).
These figures are considerably higher than the comparable rare earth makeup at globally renowned carbonatite complexes. According to Technology Metals Research, praseodymium and neodymium account for 17% of the Mountain Pass 4REE and 25% at Mt Weld.
What's more, a favourable and magnet-heavy composition could have positive implications for Ivigtût future basket price; a simplified costing based on the distribution of different rare earths within the deposit.
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