St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ, FRA:S0G, OTC:SGQMF) has reported more thick, high-grade rare earths and niobium intercepts from diamond drilling at its wholly owned Araxá Rare Earths and Niobium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The latest assays have again highlighted extensive niobium mineralisation at Araxá, with broad high-grade intervals starting from surface. The company said the strong niobium results reflect the project’s location within the Barreiro Carbonatite, next to CBMM’s operations, the world’s largest niobium producer.
“The large resource upgrade announced last week was a tremendous landmark in further entrenching the Araxá Project as a world-class niobium and rare earths development opportunity.
“We are excited that the drilling is continuing with more exceptional thick, high-grade hits from surface being reported. These results give confidence that another material resource upgrade will be delivered in due course.
“The latest results have again highlighted the dual commodity focus at Araxá – rare earths and niobium, two of the most sought-after critical metals.
Assay highlights
Assays from a further 16 diamond drill holes continued to return broad zones of mineralisation from surface, supporting the scale and continuity of the mineralised system at Araxá.
Oblique section showing some of the latest diamond drill holes as well as other significant drilling completed in the current campaign, set against the current 3D model of the MRE. The latest drill holes are shown with red labels.
Among the standout results, hole AXDD065 returned 101 metres at 4.72% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 0.65% Nb₂O₅ from surface, including 32.55 metres at 6.65% TREO and 0.54% Nb₂O₅ from 30 metres.
Hole AXDD067 delivered 111.3 metres at 3.85% TREO and 0.66% Nb₂O₅ from surface, including 16.5 metres at 7.58% TREO and 0.73% Nb₂O₅ from 17.5 metres and 11.55 metres at 4.29% TREO and 1.16% Nb₂O₅ from 61.45 metres.
In AXDD069, St George intersected 110.6 metres at 3.73% TREO and 0.57% Nb₂O₅ from surface, including 68 metres at 4.82% TREO and 0.68% Nb₂O₅ from 0 metres and 13 metres at 6.43% TREO and 0.72% Nb₂O₅ from 17 metres.
Hole AXDD075 returned 99.4 metres at 3.95% TREO and 0.76% Nb₂O₅ from surface, with higher-grade intervals of 33 metres at 4.32% TREO and 0.49% Nb₂O₅ from 0 metres and 51.4 metres at 4.62% TREO and 0.87% Nb₂O₅ from 46 metres.
The longest intercept in the latest batch came from AXDD077, which returned 160.65 metres at 3.74% TREO and 0.54% Nb₂O₅ from surface. That hole included 38.85 metres at 8.52% TREO and 0.99% Nb₂O₅ from 77.15 metres, as well as 15.35 metres at 13.86% TREO and 1.19% Nb₂O₅ from 79.65 metres.
AXDD078 also returned a broad mineralised interval, with 90.2 metres at 3.11% TREO and 0.51% Nb₂O₅ from surface, including 16 metres at 5.83% TREO and 0.78% Nb₂O₅ from 28 metres.
Section A – A’ showing high-grade TREO intercepts (cut-off 1% TREO) and high-grade Nb2O5 intercepts (cut-off 0.2% Nb2O5) along with the existing MRE outline, showing both in-fill drilling and the expansion of the existing MRE along strike and at depth.
The latest results reinforce the continuity, thickness and grade of mineralisation at Araxá and increase confidence in the existing resource base, while also highlighting potential for further resource growth.
The strategic significance of the project’s niobium resource becomes more pronounced against a backdrop of rising global supply concerns and geopolitical tension.
“Neither China nor the US have a domestic supply of niobium, giving our world-class niobium resource – a commodity that is critical to the manufacture of weapons and other military hardware – added importance at this time of heightened geopolitical tension.
“Our project is located in the world’s premier niobium address, adjacent to CBMM’s niobium mine that accounts for 80% of global supply. The long history of niobium mining in this region provides a distinct commercial advantage to St George, creating ready access to infrastructure and expertise in niobium mining operations.
“Drilling is continuing 24/7 with three diamond core rigs and one RC rig, and 23 drill holes at the laboratory with assays pending. In addition to strong newsflow on drill results, we are accelerating workstreams in our development studies and shareholders can expect more updates on our pathway to production.”