Dreadnought Resources (ASX:DRE) reports assay results have delivered ‘large-scale’ rare earth element (REE) mineralisation at the C1-C5 carbonatites, within its Mangaroon Project, located in Western Australia.
The company reports a first pass reverse circulation (RC) drill program for a planned 260 holes is designed to confirm the extent and complexity of the interpreted carbonatite intrusions, define zones of mineralisation, and to better understand the cover regolith and depth of weathering.
Dreadnought reports the following assays derive from 66 holes drilled, with a total of 7 infill holes completed. These infill holes reported ‘significant’ results ending in mineralisation, including hole CBRC084 intersected 195m @ 0.57% total rare earth oxide (TREO) from 6m (ending in mineralisation), including 24m @ 1.26% TREO (22% NdPr:TREO), 4.4% P2O5, 0.24% Nb2O5, 4.4% TiO2, and 100 parts per million (ppm) Sc from 16m.
Additionally, hole CBRC083 intersected 128m @ 0.75% TREO from 8m, including 34m @ 1.31% TREO (21% NdPr:TREO), 4.4% P2O5, 0.16% Nb2O5, 4.4% TiO2, and 80ppm Sc from 14m, and 12m @ 1.09% TREO (20% NdPr:TREO), 2.5% P2O5, 1.1% TiO2, and 58ppm Sc from 111m.
The company reports that REE mineralisation has been confirmed in both weathered and fresh carbonatites with petrographic work showing coarse grained monazite and REE carbonate mineralisation in phosphorus-rich ferrocarbonatites and barium and iron-rich magnesiocarbonatite.
Commenting on the drill results, Dreadnought Resources Managing Director, Dean Tuck, says: “Despite only completing roughly a third of the planned first pass drilling, the large-scale of the critical metal opportunity at Mangaroon is already apparent.
“The high-grade niobium intercepts may also be a sign of things to come as we infill the wide-spaced drilling”
We are excited to have 2 RC rigs on site and to be re-commencing our unfinished first pass drilling of the C1-C6 carbonatites. Our infill resource drilling at C3 is also showing significant promise. The high-grade niobium intercepts may also be a sign of things to come as we infill the wide-spaced drilling.”
Dreadnought reports that first pass drilling is currently underway at C1-C6 and is expected to be completed in August 2023. Additionally, this will be followed by Resource infill drilling as required.
The company’s Mangaroon Project covers more than 5,300km-square in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia. The project is subject to a joint venture with First Quantum Minerals (TSE:FM) earning up to 70%.
Dreadnought Resources is a Western Australian mineral exploration company with a current portfolio consisting of four core projects, including the Tarraji-Yampi, Mangaroon, Central Yilgarn, and Bresnahan projects.
Images: Dreadnought Resources Ltd & iStock
