Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) is preparing to put the Grønnedal rare earth element (REE) prospect within its 100%-owned Ivigtût Project in Greenland under the microscope after results from a maiden percussion drill program indicate widespread and deep-seated REE mineralisation.
Drilling results have confirmed high ratios of up to 50% of the commercially more valuable magnetic REEs praseodymium and neodymium.
Results also show low uranium values, well below the Greenland Government’s recently legislated maximum of 100 parts per million (ppm).
The mineral exploration company is taking the next step to diamond drill Grønnedal to test its depth potential in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Breaking it down
Eclipse completed the drill program at Grønnedal in October last year, where 27 shallow drill holes encountered REE mineralisation from surface to the end of hole.
Samples were shipped to Australia for various laboratory assessments, returning final high-grade results such as:
- 22 metres at 9,052 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) to 22 metres (end of hole);
- 20 metres at 7,132 ppm TREO to 20 metres (end of hole)
- 6.0 metres at 9,198 ppm TREO to 6 metres (end of hole) (34% praseodymium and neodymium in TREO);
- 1.5 metres at 16,586 ppm TREO to 1.5 metres (end of hole) (34% praseodymium and neodymium in TREO);
- 6.0 metres at 8,611 ppm TREO to 6 metres (end of hole); and
- 9.0 metres at 5,645 ppm TREO to 9 metres (end of hole), including 1.5 metres at 5,326 ppm TREO to 9 metres (end of hole) (50% praseodymium and neodymium in TREO).
“These initial results from shallow drill holes at Grønnedal confirm the REE-rich nature of the carbonatite body and indicate the presence of several promising targets from surface, which remain open at depth and along strike,” Eclipse executive chairman Carl Popal said.
“The geophysical assessment confirmed the deep-seated nature of the host to this REE mineralisation, suggesting a sizeable REE target.
“With recent approval of the 2023 Grønnedal diamond drilling program, the company is poised to initiate an in-depth assessment of the REE potential.
“The prospective nature of REEs at both Grønnedal and Ivigtût aligns with our strategic goal of developing the project as an asset to be a world-class player in metals and minerals crucial for the green energy industry.
“Eclipse is dedicated to actively exploring the Grønnedal prospect, as well as the nearby historical Ivigtût pit throughout the course of 2023."