Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) has planned a follow-up reverse circulation (RC) drill program, following a thick zone of ‘high-grade’, niobium-rare earth element (REE) mineralisation intersected at the Crean target within the Aileron Project.
The follow up drilling program is on track and is planned for 80 to 100 holes, which is scheduled to begin in August 2023.
Encounter says the aim of the follow up program is to extend the shallow, ‘high-grade’ niobium-REE mineralisation at Crean, alongside drill the Hurley, Wild, and Green targets.
This announcement follows reports that the first 2 holes at the Crean target intersected carbonatites containing niobium and REEs.
Assays recorded from diamond tail EAL008 reported with 34m @ 1% Nb2O5 and 0.6% total rare earth oxide (TREO), including 68.8m @ 0.8% Nb2O5 and 0.5% TREO from 55m.
Commenting on the expanding scale of Aileron, Encounter Resources Managing Director Will Robinson says: “The niobium-REE mineralisation intersected at Crean extends significantly in the diamond tail of EAL008.
Assay results from the easternmost hole, EAL007, are due back in September 2023. The carbonatite mineralised system is thickening and becoming more coarse-grained to the east and it remains unconstrained.”
Encounter Resources is an ASX-listed mineral exploration company, primarily focused on discovering ‘major’ copper dominant deposits in Australia. The company’s portfolio of assets includes the Aileron, Lamil, Sandover Copper, and Junction Lithium projects.
Images: Encounter Resources Ltd
