Mount Ridley Mines (ASX:MRD) reports phase two re-assay results have confirmed ‘high-grade’ scandium mineralisation at its Grass Patch Project in Western Australia.
The mineralisation extends up to 8km beyond the recently expanded Block One and Block Two mineral resource estimate (MRE) boundaries. Extensions reach 3km north, 5km south, and 4–5km west-northwest of the current resource areas.
Standout intercepts include 22m @ 119.41 parts per million (ppm) scandium oxide (Sc2O3) from 12m in MRAC1036, 40m @ 102.09ppm Sc2O3 from 18m in MRAC1040, and 16m @ 106.83ppm Sc2O3 from 32m in MRAC1114. All holes ended in mineralisation.
Additional results include 15m @ 102.15ppm Sc2O3 from 6m in MRAC1051, 13m @ 124.6ppm Sc2O3 from 16m in MRAC1052, 12m @ 105.7ppm Sc2O3 from 18m in MRDD033, and 19m @ 113.38ppm Sc2O3 from 20m in MRDD034.
The grades exceed the Block One and Block Two resource averages of 77.3ppm and 74.7ppm Sc2O3, respectively, with mineralisation open in all directions.
Managing Director Allister Caird says the phased re-assay program is building the resource base while the company advances other parts of its business.
“The scale of our critical mineral resource at Grass Patch continues to impress. Our phased re-assay program to systematically and prudently build our resource base, particularly when it comes to scandium, is proving to be a very sensible strategy for our shareholders,” Caird adds.
“We’re really only at the midway point with the re-assay program. These phase two results still need to be incorporated into the next round of MRE upgrade, and just this week, our team finished collecting the phase three re-assay pulps.”
The Grass Patch complex hosts a 946-million-tonne inferred scandium mineral resource at 50.1ppm scandium for 47,357 tonnes of contained metal. The result is the largest publicly reported JORC 2012 scandium resource globally.
Scandium is one of the world’s most supply-constrained critical minerals, with demand from solid oxide fuel cells, aerospace alloys, and defence applications outpacing primary production.
The company notes recent US Government support for developing new western scandium supply chains has reinforced the metal’s strategic importance.
Mount Ridley will incorporate phase two results into a resource model update targeting a potential upgrade to the current inferred resource. This comes alongside continued modelling to support conversion to the indicated category.
Mount Ridley Mines is an Australian critical minerals explorer advancing a portfolio of scandium, rare earth, and gallium assets.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Main image: Mount Ridley Mines
