American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR) has confirmed the presence of a major rare earth deposit from its maiden exploration drill program at the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming, USA.
The company drilled 917 metres and collected 822 samples from nine holes in the Red Mountain and Overton Mountain zones of the larger Red Mountain Pluton, with core recovery from most holes exceeding 99%.
High-grade XRF readings were observed ranging from >3,000ppm to values exceeding 20,000ppm.
Furthermore, the company demonstrated consistent REE enrichment to at least 100 metres at the project.
Looking ahead, ARR is planning additional detailed geological mapping and geochemical sampling over the Halleck Creek claims, as the company explores the prospect of potential development of a maiden mineral resource.
“High-grade mineralisation”
ARR MD and CEO Chris Gibbs said: “We are extremely excited about what we are seeing at this world-class project as it continues to exceed our expectations.
“I want to congratulate the entire team who worked enthusiastically and safely out in Albany County to give us the first below surface insights from Halleck Creek.”
“The information from these drill holes will determine the regional extent of mineralised depth following the continued positive surface sample results from the project.
“Based on the sheer size, scale and grade of this deposit, Halleck Creek has the potential to be one of the largest, rare earths projects in the US.
“Since acquiring this asset we have significantly increased the footprint and continue to see high-grade mineralisation over a large area.
“We’re now looking forward to the assay results, expected in late June or July, and based on the preliminary data we’re already planning our next phase of work.”
Full suite of REEs
Halleck project’s rare earth elements (REEs) occur in allanite containing the full suite of naturally occurring REEs, significantly high-value magnet REEs neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium.
The Halleck Creek allanite is associated with clinopyroxene quartz monzonite (CQM) rocks which generally contain the highest REE grades.
Completion of the maiden drilling campaign follows 118 surface sample results returned late last month that prompted ARR to stake claims across an additional 1,191 hectares.
That brings the Halleck Creek Rare Earth Project to 2,449 hectares and ARR’s total area under exploration across the US to 5260 hectares
XRF analyses
Handheld XRF generated assays show REO content reporting just four of the 14 rare earths they are likely to contain, as the 14 lanthanides consistently occur together in natural deposits.
The highest-grade sample is more than the triple the value of the previously highest-grade sample collected on the Halleck Creek Project
It should be noted that this value was taken from an Allanite vein observed in the core and does not reflect mineralisation throughout the entire core.
Image of possible allanite vein analyzed by handheld XRF.
Maiden mineral resource
If lab assays match XRF field assays, ARR will be motivated to work toward drilling a maiden resource at the Halleck Creek Project with planning underway.
The company is well capitalised to fund exploration drilling focused on developing a maiden resource at Halleck Creek.
Combined with the La Paz Rare Earth Project, a resource estimate at Halleck Creek could give ARR the unique status of holding two of the largest, rare earth projects in the United States