Enova Mining (ASX:ENV) reports metallurgical testwork has returned neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) recoveries up to 79% at its Poços de Caldas Project in Brazil.
The company completed leach testing on six saprolite samples from areas one and four. NdPr recoveries ranged from 66% to 79% and averaged 71%, while total rare earth oxide (TREO) recoveries averaged approximately 55%.
The results build on auger drilling at Poços, which confirmed rare earth element (REE) mineralisation from surface across multiple holes within weathered saprolite. Previous sampling returned results greater than 3,000 parts per million (ppm) TREO, including 3m @ 3,030 ppm TREO and 21% NdPr from surface.
CEO Eric Vesel says the results validate the recovery potential of the emerging ionic adsorption clay (IAC) rare earth system.
“Outstanding NdPr leach recoveries, averaging 71% with a peak of 79%, becomes attractive especially coupled with high-grade mineralisation in these areas,” Vesel says.
“In situ leaching is becoming more widely used in Brazil; by using low impact and low-capital in situ IAC leaching with a small modular process plant, this combination could make Poços and other project areas accessible in sensitive areas for commercial extraction.”
The company completed 77 vertical auger holes totalling 252m across five tenements at Poços de Caldas, with shallow drilling confirming REE mineralisation from surface to approximately 6m.
Enova says auger drilling returned multiple ‘high-grade’ intercepts exceeding 2,000 ppm TREO, including 5m @ 3,871 ppm TREO and 27% NdPr from surface at hole A4-TR001.
The company notes the depth extent of the mineralised saprolite remains untested and requires further drilling.
The Poços de Caldas Project sits within the late Cretaceous Poços de Caldas Alkaline Complex, representing what Enova describes as “the second largest known alkaline igneous occurrence worldwide”.
Enova recognises two environmentally sensitive areas within the municipality of Caldas that overlay several tenements, including the environmental protection area (EPA) Serra da Pedra Branca Ecological Sanctuary and a 3km buffer zone surrounding it.
The company says resource delineation drilling at the Naked Hill Project remains its current exploration priority, with further work at Poços planned following completion of the Naked Hill program.
Enova Mining is a critical minerals explorer and developer with a portfolio of projects across Brazil and Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Enova Mining
