‘Exceptional’ new diamond drill results from European Lithium Ltd (ASX:EUR, OTCQB:EULIF)’s Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in southern Greenland, have reinforced the project's global significance as a high-grade source of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals including gallium.
Key assay results from ten previously unsampled 2010 drill holes in the Hill Deposit reveal gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) grades ranging from 80 parts per million (ppm) to 140 ppm, total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades from 0.32% to 0.89%, and zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) from 1.01% to 3.43%. Heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) represent an average of 27% of the TREO content.
The assays add to a growing body of evidence that positions Tanbreez as a potential cornerstone of Western critical minerals supply, with gallium listed as a critical mineral in the United States, European Union, and Australia.
“These exceptional results underscore the strategic value of Tanbreez as a rare earth and gallium project with scale, grade, and a high proportion of critical heavy rare earths,” EUR CEO and executive chairman Tony Sage said.
“With China's ban on gallium exports to the United States, securing domestic sources of these critical minerals has become paramount for US defence capabilities and national security. Our gallium results, combined with our rare earth grades, position Tanbreez as a strategically important asset for Western supply chains. The progress we've made, processing all 2024 drill cores, submitting 50% of samples for assay, and already completing over 1,200 metres of drilling as part of our 2025 Fjord Resource Upgrade program, puts us in a strong position to build on our significant resource base. With further assays pending and more drilling underway, we see strong potential to grow the scale and world-class nature of the project's mineral inventory."
Drill rig 25-02 with drill crew and exploration team.
The assay results stem from 10 vertical diamond drill holes completed in 2010 across the Hill Deposit. Samples were drawn from the upper kakortokite layer, a rare mineral-rich rock within the Ilímaussaq intrusive complex.
While only partial intervals of the 30-metre holes were assayed, results confirmed exceptional concentrations of critical elements, with weighted averages of 0.58% TREO (24.91% HREO), 112 ppm Ga₂O₃, and 2.10% ZrO₂. These grades significantly exceed average crustal abundances, highlighting the deposit's strategic value.
Further assays of untested sections are planned.
Gallium and HREO mineralisation strengthens project credentials
Gallium, typically recovered as a by-product from bauxite or zinc processing, is rarely present in commercially significant quantities within hard rock REE deposits. At Tanbreez, gallium grades up to 140 ppm are regarded as anomalously high.
The presence of gallium alongside high HREO ratios within eudialyte mineralisation enhances the strategic profile of the project. With geopolitical restrictions disrupting traditional supply chains, the Tanbreez project is emerging as a key Western-aligned source of critical minerals.
2025 Fjord drilling program advancing
In parallel with re-assaying historic holes, EUR is executing a 2,000-metre diamond drilling program to upgrade the resource at the Fjord Deposit.
Five holes totalling 1,250 metres had been completed at the time of reporting, with drilling expected to extend to 2,500 metres following favourable geological intercepts.
Core from the 2024 campaign is also under assay, with results from seven holes pending and eight more in transit to Perth. Results are expected in September and October 2025.
Fjord and hill deposits hosted by the kakortokite Unit.
Global-scale project progressing toward development
Tanbreez is located within a 30-year exploitation licence covering 18 square kilometres in southern Greenland. It hosts a 45 million tonne resource dominated by TREO-bearing kakortokite rock, with low uranium and thorium content providing a regulatory and environmental advantage.
The project is jointly owned by Critical Metals Corp. (42%) and European Lithium (7.5%), with Critical Metals having the right to earn up to 92.5% by investing US$10 million by June 2026.
With exploration transitioning to pre-development, Tanbreez is poised to become one of the world’s most important rare earth and critical mineral sources.