Eminence Minerals (ASX:EMA) has commenced a maiden drilling program at its 100%-owned Campo Grande Rare Earth Project in Bahia, Brazil.
The program is aiming to complete up to 72 auger drill holes for up to 2,000m across three priority target corridors to test rare earth targets, with Brazilian contractor Eco Sondagem undertaking the drilling activities.
Six additional regional scout drilling targets have also been identified to test clay alteration and rare earth element (REE) anomalies outside the primary target corridors.
The program aims to provide the first subsurface assessment of prospective rare earth mineralisation at Campo Grande.
Chief Executive Officer Anthony Hills says the commencement of drilling at Campo Grande is a “significant milestone” for the company.
“Through extensive geological interpretation, we have defined multiple high priority rare earth targets that warrant drill testing,” Hills says.
“This maiden drilling program will provide the first opportunity to assess these targets at depth and evaluate their potential scale and continuity.
“Given Campo Grande’s location within an emerging rare earth district in Bahia, we believe the project has the potential to become a significant exploration asset for the company.”
Eminence notes that its tenements are positioned within an emerging rare earths district. They are also adjacent to Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX:BRE), which has reported drilling results of up to 45.7% total rare earth oxides (TREO) within the region.
Previous reconnaissance surface sampling by Eminence has returned assays of up to 17,346 parts per million TREO.
Additional surface sampling programs will run concurrently to expand geochemical coverage and refine future drill targeting across the broader project area.
Eminence Minerals is a mining company focused on the exploration, appraisal, and development of iron ore and future-facing commodities such as REEs.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Eminence Minerals
