American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR) has confirmed broad zones of rare earth mineralisation to new depths of 175.5 metres, further extending the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming.
Standout assays include:
- HC22- RM015 averages 4,303 ppm over 169.5 metres;
- HC22- RM022 averages 6,948 ppm over 37.5 metres; and
- HC22-RM007 averages 3,966 ppm TREO over 150 metres, the complete length of the hole.
Notably, this is an increase of 75.5% over the depth drilled for the maiden drill campaign, with 27% of the rare earths comprising highly valuable magnetic rare earth elements.
Looking ahead, the deposit remains open with significant upside potential.
“Outstanding results”
ARR CEO and MD Chris Gibbs said: “These are outstanding results and we have consistently seen mineralisation from surface to depths of 150 metres.
“Although only one hole, it is extremely encouraging to see mineralisation now extend to at least 175.5 metres.
“This is a 75.5% increase in depth from the maiden drill campaign and well exceeds the basis of the original exploration target of 100 metres.
“We are encouraged about the prospect of a significant rare earth structure at depth and are looking forward to conducting further drilling to determine how deep the deposit is.
“However, our priority is to establish a significant JORC resource, and at depths of 175.5 metres, we already see the basis for a large-scale, long-life open pit mine on the magnitude of the major copper/gold porphyry deposits, so often seen in the Western USA."
Results summary
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).
Drill hole HC22-RM007 shows a TREO value exceeding 1,500ppm along the entire 150 metres length of the drill hole, the average TREO for the drill hole is 3,966ppm.
Meanwhile, drill hole HC22-RM022 contains a highly enriched zone 37.5 metres long which contains an average TREO of 6,948ppm. Additionally, one sample contains 10,636ppm or 1.06% TREO.
Drill hole HC22-RM008 consists of biotite hornblende syenite with lower REO grades. HC22RM008 only contains 4.5 metres of material exceeding TREO of 1,500 metres.
However, HC22-RM008 contains 96 metres of material with TREO exceeding 1,000ppm.
Massive rare-earth district
ARR now has complete assay data for 15 holes and partial assays for three additional holes in the Red Mountain project area at the Halleck Mining district.
Gibbs adds: “Let’s keep in mind, these recent assay results are from the Red Mountain area, which is only one of seven zones we have identified in this massive, rare-earth district.
“We’re eagerly anticipating the remaining drill assay results, including assays for the Overton Mountain zone which was also drilled during this most recent campaign.”