Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) has conducted an extensive HyperXRF (x-ray fluorescent) assessment of historical drill core from the Grønnedal prospect within the Ivigtût Project of Greenland, confirming extensive, deep-seated rare earth element (REE) mineralisation.
The company has extrapolated that data over the outcropping 3-kilometre by 800-metre area of ferrocarbonatite at the prospect, to a depth of 50 metres, producing a conceptual exploration target of between 175 and 245 million tonnes of REE mineralisation.
Widespread neodymium mineralisation
Eclipse has noted high neodymium levels in six of the historical diamond drilled cores assessed, which also demonstrated consistently high neodymium ratios from surface to at least 200 metres of depth.
The company says its initial findings point to a deep-seated rare earth deposit, with elevated levels of medium rare earth elements (MREE) including neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium.
Using data from an historical airborne electromagnetic survey, EPM has identified seven conductive targets for follow-up drilling, with evidence that mineralisation could stretch as deep as 500 metres of depth or more.
Overall, Eclipse believes the Grønnedal prospect’s magnet REE content ranks competitively with global REE projects, already host to a JORC-compliant mineral resource of 1.18 million tonnes at 6,859 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxide (TREO) and 2,385 ppm magnet rare earth oxide (MREO) and 1,879 ppm neodymium.
From here, EPM will conduct spot chemical analysis to accurately calibrate the XRF results and calculate the resource’s true potential.