OD6 Metals Ltd (ASX:OD6) has fielded high-grade rare earth element (REE) assays from the first 65 holes drilled at the Splinter Rock Project in Western Australia, revealing broad sections of clay-hosted mineralisation over large swathes of the tenure.
Results graded up to 6,729 parts per million (ppm) over four defined prospects – the Scrum, Centre, Flanker and Proper prospects – each extending between four and seven kilometres in strike.
Magnet REEs and heavy earths
The company identified high value neodymium and praseodymium oxides, averaging 20.7% total rare earth oxides (TREO) as well as sought-after magnet related REEs, grading at an average of 22.3% TREO.
Heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) were also present, grading up to 11.2% TREO, while 49% of the assayed samples graded higher than 750 ppm.
Overall, the REE intersections for the prospects boasted widths of between 10 metres and 30 metres, with the widest stretching up to 80 metres.
“These initial rare earth assay results are outstanding and represent some of the highest grades and thickest clayhosted rare earth intersections seen in Australia,” OD6 Metals managing director Brett Hazeldan said.
“Importantly, these drill results validate historic assays, plus they extend the discovery of clay-hosted rare earths across a new drill line perpendicular to the original line.
Potential to be world-class REE deposit
“This bodes well for future drilling, which we anticipate will significantly grow the known mineralised area.
“The Splinter Rock Project, with its proximity to port and renewable energy generation potential, now has the very real potential to be a globally significant, world class group of mineral systems that could be a multigenerational asset as the world transitions to the decarbonised economy.
“The scale of these clays is hard to comprehend when you start talking multiple kilometres in one direction at a thickness of between 10 to 30 metres. The potential is massive.”
OD6 expects more assays to be received progressively over the coming weeks, with high hopes that the 40 by 60-kilometre target area could shape up into one of the largest REE deposits in Australia.