Assay results from its Ema project in Brazil show ‘fantastic’ rare earth elements (REE) levels, reports BBX Minerals (ASX: BBX).
Thirteen holes were drilled with seven returning what the company terms significant REE levels.
These include 8.0m at 1.607 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO) from surface, 10m at 458 ppm from 11m, 7.8m at 776 ppm from 4m and 9m at 890 ppm from 10m.
The Ema project is located in the Apui region of the state of Amazonas.
More ground applications lodged
BBX says while the Tres Estados gold and platinum group metals (PGM) project remains its flagship operation in Brazil, given the company’s in-country capabilities, BBX considers it prudent to undertake other low cost, strategic exploration.
Therefore, it has submitted applications for three new exploration tenements at Apui.
“These activities will not impact the ongoing development at Tres Estados, the company adds.
When granted, the Apui ground position will cover 419.11 sq km.
Clay hosted REE
The ionic REE deposits are hosted in clays up to 20m in thickness.
Economic grades fall into the range of 400 ppm to 1,200 ppm.
Ongoing follow-up work will include leaching tests to determine the recoverable ionic rare earth component, these tests using what the company describes as low cost and simple leaching technology.
‘Fantastic’ new discovery
Chief executve officer Andre J. Douchane said the exploration team at Apui has over the past several years been exploring in Brazil for precious metals and other deposits, including REE.
“I congratulate them on making this fantastic new REE discovery,” he added.
“As the world looks forward to a carbon neutral economy, we expect that both REE and PGMs will play very key roles.”
These new assays from Apui show, apart from the expected high values of cerium and lanthanum, encouraging levels of the battery twins, neodymium and praseodymium.
The heavy rare earth element dysprosium is also present.
Brazil is home to a number of REE projects, including operating mines.
