Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) analysis of core samples from its Ivittuut project in southwestern Greenland has returned high-grade rare earth results and confirmed polymetallic potential.
Analysis of historical diamond drill core revealed the polymetallic potential with values up to 9.86% zinc and 3.54% tin as well as anomalous rare earth element (REE) values at Ivittuut
Notably, Eclipse is progressing petrological and mineralogical determinations as a guide for future exploration at Ivittuut.
Historical drill core samples from the nearby Gronnedal-lka area have returned high-grade results up to 1,245 ppm praseodymium oxide with anomalous zinc values.
Sample analysis
Analysis by an Australian laboratory using ME-MS81h, ME-ICP61 and Zn-OG62 methods identified multi-commodity mineralisation within the project area.
Samples from Gronnedal-Ika and Ivittuut returned anomalous and significant analyses for praseodymium, zinc, tin, silver and copper in addition to anomalous TREO values from the Ivittuut pit precinct.
Significantly, the maximum uranium value of 24.3 ppm from all results is well below the Greenland Government’s legislated maximum of 100 ppm uranium.
Drill core sample from Ivittuut pit precinct.
Exploration program
Eclipse's recent helicopter-borne reconnaissance field program included a collection of samples from the Ivittuut mine dumps and Gronnedal-lka carbonatite intrusive outcrops with initial XRF field testing returning promising results for rare earth minerals.
The company's drill core sample analyses has provided additional significant information on the prospectivity of both the Ivittuut mine precinct, the carbonatite occurrence and mafic dykes.
This initial evaluation of the drill core has provided significant additional information on the prospectivity of the Gronnedal-Ika carbonatite and mafic dyke occurrence.
Importantly, the identification of scarce heavy REE’s has cemented the conclusion of the uniqueness and polymetallic nature of the Ivittuut pit precinct.
These results highlight the potential for much of the mineralisation within the pit to have economic value, thus enhancing potential economics for the re-development of this mine.
MEL2007-45 with location of Ivittuut Mine and Gronnedal-Ika. Inset shows location of three historic drill holes.
Forward plan
Further surface samples from Gronnedal-Ika and the Ivittuut low-grade tailing dump have been received in Australia for analysis for REE elements, cryolite and quartz.
Future exploration will include the evaluation of the granite and greisen wall rocks of the pit for REE potential.
The results from Gronnedal-Ika have confirmed the potential for magnetically anomalous zones to be associated with REE mineralisation, which will be used as a guide for future exploration drilling.
Notably, Eclipse is progressing petrological and mineralogical determinations as a guide for future exploration at Ivittuut.