New diamond drilling results from European Lithium Ltd (ASX:EUR, OTCQB:EULIF)'s Fjord Deposit at the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in Greenland, confirm consistent high-grade mineralisation.
Highlights include Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grades ranging between 0.40% and 0.42%, with heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) comprising around 26% of TREO. Drilling also intersected zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) grades of 1.57–1.58% and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) assays of 93–99 parts per million (ppm). All reported holes were drilled vertically through sub-horizontal kakortokite layers, intersecting mineralisation at approximately true thicknesses. Mineralisation remains open at depth.
The results are part of the ongoing 2024–2025 Fjord Resource Upgrade program, with more than 1,900 metres drilled to date this year and further assays pending.
Tanbreez Core Shed and Geologists Dr Hans Schonwandt, Greg Barnes, Ole Christianson, George Karageorge discussing core processing procedures August 2025.
“These additional 2024 diamond drill hole results indicate the consistent grades of rare earth and gallium, with a high proportion of critical heavy rare earths. Our rare earth grades position Tanbreez as a strategically important asset for Western supply chains. With China's control over the rare earth market, securing sources of these critical minerals has become paramount for U.S. defence capabilities and national security,” European Lithium executive chairman Tony Sage said.
Sage added that with 1,316 metres of diamond core drilling completed in 2024 and more than 1,850 metres drilled as part of the 2025 program, the company is in a strong position to grow its resource base.
Further assays are pending.
Drill hole results
- Hole D-24 was drilled vertically to 85.7 metres, intersecting 0.42% TREO (25.9% HREO), 1.57% ZrO₂, 100 ppm Ta₂O₅, 1,340 ppm Nb₂O₅, and 99 ppm Ga₂O₃. Mineralisation was continuous from surface to 63 metres and remains open at depth.
- Hole E-24 was completed to 62.3 metres, averaging 0.39% TREO (26.2% HREO), 1.56% ZrO₂, 100 ppm Ta₂O₅, 1,330 ppm Nb₂O₅, and 90 ppm Ga₂O₃. Mineralisation was intersected from surface to 61.3 metres and remains open.
- Hole F-24 reached 107.45 metres, intersecting 0.40% TREO (25.6% HREO), 1.57% ZrO₂, 100 ppm Ta₂O₅, 1,260 ppm Nb₂O₅, and 93 ppm Ga₂O₃. Mineralisation extended to 72 metres downhole and is open at the bottom of the hole.
Fjord deposit context
The 2024–2025 program is focused on confirmatory and step-out drilling to validate historical data, refine geological models, and supply material for metallurgical and environmental studies. Results to date demonstrate persistence of mineralisation across several kilometres, with TREO grades of around 0.40–0.42%, HREO contents of ~26%, ZrO₂ values of 1.57–1.58% and gallium assays of 93–99 ppm.
Fjord and Hill Deposit drill hole locations for 2007, 2010, 2013, 2024 in red, with 2025 drill hole collars completed in July, with 9 diamond holes awaiting drilling.
The rare earth mineralisation is stratiform and hosted in kakortokite units, with strong lithological control supporting bulk mining strategies. Sampling intervals were taken across kakortokite zones above the Black Madonna boundary, with assays conducted at ALS Metallurgical Laboratories. The deposit is considered a significant portion of the overall Tanbreez mineral inventory.
Gallium assay results
The 2024 drilling program also returned gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) values between 90 ppm and 100 ppm across four published drillholes. These values suggest gallium could provide an additional economic credit to the project’s mixed TREO–HREO concentrate.
Notably, earlier drilling in 2013 did not include gallium, tantalum or niobium assays. European Lithium confirmed that pulps from these historical holes will be re-assayed by ALS Metallurgical Laboratories in Perth in the coming months. The same laboratory is also conducting gallium assays for all 2024 and 2025 drillholes, with results expected in September and October 2025.
The company said gallium could enhance project economics by adding another marketable element to the Tanbreez concentrate. With gallium already recognised as a critical mineral for applications in semiconductors and advanced technologies, its presence strengthens the project’s strategic profile alongside heavy rare earths and zirconium.
Resource confirmation drilling
European Lithium reported that the 2024–2025 diamond drilling campaign is designed to optimise and expand the 2016 mineral resource estimate at Fjord. Fourteen diamond holes were drilled in 2024 for 1,316 metres, and a further 11 holes have been drilled in 2025 totalling about 1,900 metres. Three additional holes are scheduled.
Seven drillholes from the 2024 campaign are still awaiting results, which are being processed at ALS Metallurgical Laboratories. Assays include TREO, HREO and associated oxides, with gallium assays pending. The company noted that results are expected to be released in September and October 2025.
The program aims to extend mine life projections, improve confidence in resource modelling, and provide feed for environmental and metallurgical test work. Results to date confirm high-grade rare earth continuity and support a new mineral resource estimate once all assays are available.