Core Energy Minerals (ASX:CR3) reports leach testwork has validated ionic absorption clay rare earth mineralisation at its Tunas Project in Brazil.
The testwork returned recoveries from deeper sample groups averaging 38% total rare earth oxide (TREO) recovery and 63% magnetic rare earth oxide (MREO) recovery.
Average recovered grades reached approximately 951 parts per million (ppm) TREO and 524 ppm MREO.
Maximum calculated recoveries hit 64% TREO and 104% MREO, with multiple samples returning MREO recoveries above 50%.
The company notes recoveries at or above 100% reflect normal analytical and mass-balance variability.
The leach tests used ammonium sulphate under mild conditions at ambient temperature and low acidity, with results indicating a portion of the mineralisation is amenable to simple leach extraction conditions.
Managing Director Tony Greenaway says the results validate the company’s ongoing exploration at Tunas.
“We are extremely pleased with these first results from the leach testwork at Tunas,” Greenaway says.
“Work to this point has been completed using low-impact auger sampling equipment which has a depth limit of just 15 metres, so many of our holes have ended in high-grade [rare earth element] mineralisation.
“We will continue to undertake staged exploration at Tunas as we advance the project toward an eventual maiden JORC mineral resource estimate.”
Core Energy completed 19 auger holes for 166.40m during March and April 2026 to test lateral continuity and vertical distribution of the mineralisation.
The company now plans diamond drilling using man-portable rigs to test the full thickness of the weathered profile and collect larger sample volumes for definitive metallurgical testwork.
Core Energy Minerals is a mineral explorer with a critical minerals and uranium portfolio in tier one mining jurisdictions.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Core Energy Minerals
