PVW Resources (ASX:PVW’) reports it has received positive initial results from its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the 100% owned Tanami Heavy Rare Earth and Gold Project in Western Australia.
Initial results have confirmed the potential of the project to host significant rare earth mineralisation, with both shallow and deeper mineralisation encountered at both prospects tested to date (Castella and Watts Rise).
Thirteen of the 35 RC holes for which assay results have been received have returned assays of 1m @ 0.15% TREO or more.
The company reports the RC component of the program is now complete with 132 holes drilled for 10,727m while regional air-core (AC) drilling is continuing with 91 holes completed so far for 2,817m.
Rare earth assay results have so far been received from 35 RC holes (of 132 completed RC holes). The RC drilling was designed to test highly elevated surface rare earth mineralisation at both the Castella and Watts Rise prospects, while the AC drilling is currently testing the broader Watts Rise – Castella regional target defined by exploration activities in 2021 and 2022.
Addressing the results, PVW Executive Director George Bauk said: “These results confirm the presence of heavy REE mineralisation both at depth and near surface across the Tanami REE Project.
“These results confirm the presence of heavy REE mineralisation both at depth and near surface across the Tanami REE Project”
Assay results for the first 35 holes at Castella are encouraging and, while the grade and thickness of the intercepts does not yet indicate that we have an orebody, they do show that we are exploring in the right area with excellent potential to vector into thicker and higher grade areas.
We are also extremely encouraged by the continuity of the extensive pXRF yttrium anomaly seen at Watts Rise. The continuity of this mineralised envelope over 380m of strike which remains open down-dip is very encouraging.
The success of the drill program to date has prompted us to accelerate exploration with a detailed ground gravity survey commencing later this month to assist in identifying the mineralisation controls at depth. Meanwhile, the regional AC drilling continues to reveal buried rare earth anomalism and pathfinder anomalism along the 18km corridor and at the two priority targets areas of Castella and Watts Rise.
The presence of a significant Heavy Rare Earths component in the assay results so far –including dysprosium and terbium – confirms the prospectivity of the Pargee Sandstone hosted unconformity style targets and gives us great confidence in the scale and potential of the Tanami Heavy REE Project.
Importantly, elevated levels of neodymium and praseodymium have also been returned for the breccia-style targets at Castella. The breccias are structurally controlled and occur immediately below the unconformity and at depth within the Killi Killi Formation.
The confirmation that both target styles host mineralisation is an important development and developing a broader understanding of the relationship between the two styles is key to unlocking the exploration potential of this region.
A combination of rock chip sampling, geological mapping, soil sampling and ground radiometrics were utilised in 2021 to define these targets and this maiden drilling campaign is already showing the benefits of our significant early exploration efforts in the Tanami.”
Surface sampling programs were successfully conducted at the Tanami Project in August 2021,the results, and interpretations of which were announced on 13 October 2021.
Surface sampling at Castella has shown that rare earth mineralisation occurs within conglomerates and sandstones of the Pargee Sandstone at the unconformity with the Killi Killi Formation and in structures within the Killi Killi Formation.
These hosts have now been tested at Castella with the first systematic exploration drilling program.
Initial results from 35 holes have been positive in confirming the presence of elevated rare earths in each of the target styles. With a peak value of 9,500 ppm TREO within the conglomerates of the Pargee Sandstone at the unconformity this is a priority for follow-up and in-fill drilling. The mineralised conglomerate unit is strongly hematitic, silicified and brecciated at depth.
PVW reports that the unconformity, when intersected at depth, is often marked by a completely oxidised interval, dominated by clay and iron oxides. This may be related to a paleo-surface at the unconformity or an in-situ saprolitic regolith feature.
The breccia style targets that are predominantly hosted in the Killi Killi Formation and that form part of the Castella and Regional REE targeting have produced several very encouraging results.
With results up to 6,200 ppm TREO achieved within deeper intersections in drilling, the company intends to target down-dip and along strike on prospective structures as well as the regional unconformity.
The results and initial interpretation show that controls on mineralisation are both structural and lithological. While there are similarities between mineralisation styles intersected in the Pargee Sandstone at the unconformity and in the deeper breccia zones, there are also important differences.
For example, the breccia zones are more enriched in the light rare earths – notably neodymium and praseodymium – which becomes stronger at depth in the Killi Killi Formation. In comparison, the unconformity as previously highlighted in rock chip samples is more elevated in the heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, which provides another important relationship for regional exploration targeting.
Rare earths are fundamental to the modern economy, enabling significant dollars in global GDP via a wide range of clean energy including the electrification of transport, information technology, defence, and industrial applications such as robotics.
Unique magnetic and electrochemical properties of the REEs enable technologies to perform with greater efficiency, performance, and durability – often by reducing weight, emissions, or energy consumption.
Rare earths drive technology to power global economic growth, enable life-saving products, and help shrink our carbon footprint. With the infancy of technological development, application of REEs has just commenced.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
