Lanthanein Resources Ltd (ASX:LNR) has delivered encouraging visual results from a recently completed maiden reverse circulation (RC) drill program targeting high‐grade rare earth elements (REE) mineralisation at the Lyons Project in Western Australia.
The RC drilling program comprised a total of 53 drill holes across 3,510 metres at an average depth of 66 metres.
Notably, prospective REE-bearing ironstones have been intersected at all prospects - Lyons 11,12, 13 and 27.
Looking ahead, Lanthanein eyes an “exciting” pipeline of future drill targets with multiple interpreted ironstone trends and carbonatites under thin cover still to be drill tested during the December quarter and 2023.
“Consistent ironstones”
Lanthanein technical director Brian Thomas said: “We are extremely pleased with our first drill program at Lyons Rare Earths Project which has intersected consistent ironstones at Lyons 11, 12, 13 and 27 prospects.
“At these four prospects ironstone outcrop at surface and were a logical starting point for our maiden drill program.
“The visual logs of RC chips confirm the ironstones are continuous along strike and at depth, providing a solid base for future drill programs to build out any potential REE resources.
“Samples have been sent for rush analysis to ALS Laboratory in Perth, with first assay results expected in the next 3‐4 weeks.
“Assay results will be released as they become available, and I look forward to updating the market.
“The team is extremely excited by the visual drilling results which recorded up to 6m thick ironstones and remain open down dip and along strike.
“The encouraging results from Lyons 27 open up the northwest area of the tenement to be highly prospective.
"Furthermore, following ongoing interpretation of the highly detailed geophysics and our improved understanding of the targeting for REE ironstones and ferro‐carbonatites we have an exciting pipeline of future drill targets to be tested in 2023.”
Drill highlights
At Lyons 27 in the northwestern area, the drilling intersected up to 6-metre-thick ironstone and this prospect is open in all directions.
Mineralised REE ironstones that outcrop at the surface underwent drill testing with positive visual results confirming the continuity of ironstones along strike and at depth.
Widths of the main ironstone trend intersected at Lyons 12 and 13 recorded up to a 1-4 metre-thick zone analogous to Hastings Technology Metals deposits Simons Find, Frasers and Bald Hill 2.5 kilometres away.
Notably, ironstones occur within a broader up to 15-metre-wide fenitic alteration halo which may carry REE mineralisation.
Furthermore, these ironstones are analogous to Hastings Technology Metals' rare earth deposits and Dreadnought Resources Yin discovery adjacent to Lanthanein’s Lyons Projects, 2.5 kilometres and 32 kilometres away respectively.
Forward plan
Lanthanein is awaiting samples sent to ALS Laboratory for rush analysis with the first results expected mid‐November.
The company is planning further rock chip sampling, high-resolution satellite spectral interpretation and drilling programs to investigate additional targets not yet followed up, including thorium and magnetic anomalies throughout the Lyons Project.
In addition, high-priority structural targets along the major Bald Hill lineament which transects both the Edmund and Lyons project areas are queued for follow-up.