Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR) has intersected widespread rare earth element (REE) saprolite enrichment up to 1,296ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) in an aircore drill program at Jilbadji prospect, 25 kilometres east of Mt Holland in Western Australia.
The 600-metre reconnaissance program highlights the extensive presence of elevated REE mineralisation in 37 of the 41 completed drill holes, including:
- 16 metres at 729ppm TREO from 20 metres, including 4 metres at 1,226ppm TREO from 28 metres;
- 8 metres at 808ppm TREO from 16 metres, including, 4 metres at 1,027ppm TREO from 16 metres; and
- 12 metres at 910ppm TREO from 12 metres.
Notably, the mineralised intervals exhibit an average of 21% magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO) and very low levels of penalty radionuclides elements including just 1.9ppm uranium and 18ppm thorium.
Moving forward, Maximus’s next phase exploration effort will focus on the identification of residual clays within the preserved regolith profile.
Gain better geological understanding
Encouraged by the results, Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: "Our objective of the reconnaissance drill program was to gain a better geological understanding of the magnetic and gravity features across the Jilbadji prospect.
“It is encouraging to intersect elevated REE mineralisation in 37 of 41 completed aircore holes, across a broad saprolite zone, with a very large area still waiting to be explored.
“Following these results, we have started further analytical testing to understand the potential of the Jilbadji prospect.”
Drill highlights
The program involved drilling utilising existing vehicle tracks for 1,060 metres, at 600-metre drill hole spacing, along traverses intersecting the areas of maximum magnetic and gravity responses.
Co-funding for the drill program, up to $90,000, was provided by the Western Australia Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS).
The drilling program revealed the presence of a regolith profile that includes a thin layer of transported cover and a thick saprolite layer with a vertical thickness ranging from 20 to 30 metres.
Bedrock in the area is composed of metamorphosed granitic intrusions and the saprolite layer above the bedrock contains anomalous levels of REE displaying residual enrichment of REEs.
Aircore drill program with aero-magnetic survey.
Forward plan
To further the understanding of the REE mineralisation, Maximus has submitted mineralised saprolite samples for analytical metallurgical tests to ascertain ionic clay composition.
In addition, the company intends to carry out petrographic and scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), which aims to identify the REE mineral phases and assess the clay REE deportment.
Furthermore, Maximus’ next steps are to perform mineralogical and geochemical testing which will help determine potential soluble REEs, which are typical of high-value clay-hosted ionic REE deposits and inform the decision-making going forward.
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