Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) has received multi-element assay results from the Ivigtût rare earth element (REE), base metal and industrial mineral prospect and the Grønnedal-Ika REE prospect in southwestern Greenland.
The highly anomalous multi-element assay results relate to nine grab samples collected at Ivigtût (also referred to as Ivittuut) and Grønnedal-Ika during a helicopter-assisted reconnaissance program in late 2021.
Encouraging results
The samples returned highly anomalous total rare earth oxide (TREO) together with niobium, tungsten, lead, zinc and silver concentrations, further confirming the polymetallic nature of the company’s Greenland project.
Laboratory analyses of two fluorite samples and one cryolite-fluorite-siderite sample collected from the historic Ivigtût mine dumps returned:
- 22.20% fluorine, 8.60 g/t silver and 0.12% copper in sample I21007; and
- 26.00% fluorine, 165.00 g/t silver, 0.14% copper, 3.83% lead and 0.37% zinc.
Analysis of five magnetite-limonite-bearing ferro-carbonatite grab samples collected from the Grønnedal-Ika carbonatite complex returned highly anomalous light and heavy REE assay values, including:
- 0.32% lanthanum, 0.83% cerium, >0.10% praseodymium, 0.43% neodymium, 0.07% samarium, 0.05% gadolinium and 0.06% yttrium;
- 0.60% lanthanum, >10.00% cerium, >0.10% praseodymium, 0.82% neodymium, >0.10% samarium, >0.10% gadolinium and 0.86% yttrium; and
- 0.27% lanthanum, 0.73% cerium, 0.10% praseodymium, 0.39% neodymium, 0.07% samarium, 0.05% gadolinium and 0.05% yttrium.
Testing large samples from Grønnedal-Ika.
A sample from a sulphide-bearing aplite that cuts the carbonatite rocks returned:
- >0.25% niobium, 34.00 g/t silver, 0.96% lead, 0.15% copper, 0.16% tin, 200 ppm lithium and 4.40% fluorine; and
- Anomalous heavy REE values such as 0.02% erbium, 0.03% ytterbium and 0.09% yttrium with overall anomalous TREO of 0.30%.
Assessment of the exploration results to date indicates two or more distinct styles of REE mineralisation at the Ivittuut and Grønnedal-Ika prospects, ranging from light to heavy REE.
Polymetallic nature highlighted
“Further results from Ivugtût and Grønnedal-lka highlight the polymetallic nature of these prospects, in particular the REE potential, with both heavy and light REE mineralisation evident,” Eclipse chairman Carl Popal said.
“Some initial results exceed testing limits for the analytical method used and these samples are being further analysed.
“When final results are received and analysed, a targeted exploration program will be designed in time to take advantage of the northern summer season to further advance evaluation of our projects in Greenland.”
Many over-limit values were returned from the first analytical run and these are being further analysed by more accurate methods.
These results are expected to be returned in the near future when the Brisbane laboratory is fully operational after recent flooding prevented staff access.
Shares have been as much as 22% higher this morning to $0.039.