American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR) has expanded its rare earths footprint in the US state of Wyoming after fielding highly encouraging results from 118 surface samples that revealed an expanded area of elevated rare earth mineralisation.
These results have seen the company stake 181 additional mining claims covering an area of about 1,191 hectares (2,944 acres) bringing the total Halleck Creek Rare Earth Project in Albany County to 2,449 hectares (6,005+ acres).
With additional projects in Arizona and Nevada, ARR has more than 5,260 hectares (13,000+ acres) under exploration and these holdings are believed to have the potential to be one of the largest suites of rare earths projects in North America.
Strong fieldwork results
Managing director and CEO Chris Gibbs said: “We are delighted with the results of this fieldwork. The Rare Earth Elements (REE) mineralisation occurs over wider areas than initially anticipated at Halleck Creek.
“By staking the additional claims, American Rare Earths Ltd can evaluate the larger region. Our core drilling is progressing very well, and we are enthusiastically awaiting the results of that work.”
New claims at Halleck Creek in Wyoming – Filing 3.
Sampling programs
In June and July of 2021, a surface sampling program totalling 181 samples were collected. The results show widespread REO values across broad areas in the north and south project areas of Halleck Creek.
In October and November 2021, the company conducted geologic mapping and geochemical sampling across mining claims at the project.
There were 94 surface samples collected across the Overton Mountain area and 24 samples from the Red Mountain area for a total of 118 samples within the Red Mountain Pluton (RMP).
Exploration target
Combining historical results and the company’s 2021 sampling has provided a conceptual exploration target of 308 to 385 million tonnes of rare earths mineralised rocks for Halleck Creek with an average Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grade of 2,330-2,912 ppm.
Before staking the additional claims, ARR controlled 68 federal mining claims covering 512 hectares (1,265 acres) and four Wyoming State mining leases covering 746 hectares (1,844 acres) at the Halleck Creek project area.
At initial acquisition in 2020, the land package was less than 30 hectares of federal lode mining claims plus the prospect of four unapproved State of Wyoming mineral leases that had been stuck in an application process for over two years.
The company was able to expedite approval of the state leases and expand the federal minerals tenement control package quickly. With the additional 181 claims, the total land package has been expanded to more than 2,449 hectares.
Future plans
ARR's future work will primarily focus on the rock formations of the RMP. It is notable that the 94 samples from Overton Mountain have an average TREO grade significantly higher than the grade range of the exploration target.
These new samples increase the area covered with geochemical analysis and provide additional data for preliminary modelling of the surface geochemistry.
Drilling underway
Nine exploration core holes are currently being drilled, five on Overton Mountain and four on Red Mountain. Eight holes have been completed with a total core length of 840 metres (2,756 feet), with the core recovery being exceptional, exceeding 95%.
The final holes are scheduled for completion later this month and core from all holes will be analysed for rare earth grades, with the results of the assays expected in June 2022.
ARR plans additional detailed geological mapping and geochemical sampling over Halleck Creek claims. This work is scheduled for May 2022 with focus on the Red Mountain portion of the RMP’s rock outcrops plus the newly staked tenement areas.
The aggregate results will be used to plan future drilling as the company explores the prospect for potential development of a maiden resource.
XRF procured
To aid in its exploration efforts, the company procured a Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyser which will allow geologists to better target mineralised outcrop during mapping and sampling campaigns.
During future drilling campaigns, the new tool will provide the potential to better follow mineralised material to optimal depths.
The XRF provides real-time estimates, in the field, of select rare elements without waiting months for lab assays.