Junior explorer Si6 Metals (ASX:SI6) has unearthed prospective ‘clay-rich’ saprolite outcrops at its Caldera Project within the Poços de Caldas Alkaline Intrusive Complex in Brazil.
As part of its phase one rare earths exploration program in the area, Si6 has collected 16 soil, channel and mechanical auger samples from across its tenement holding.
The company has sent all samples to the SGS Geosol laboratory in Minas Gerais, with results still pending.
Nevertheless, Si6 says the area sampled is underlain by weathered alkaline granites, syenites, and granitic gneiss, and it has observed a saprolitic profile with variable thicknesses that can reach at least 12m.
Si6 is seeking out potential anomalous ionic adsorption clay rare earth element (REE) targets to potentially follow up with an auger drilling program.
Further to the sampling work, the company says its phase one program also included a ‘comprehensive’ review of geological and geophysical datasets from the area.
The Caldera project neighbours Meteoric Resources’ (ASX:MEI) Caldeira Project in the region, which Si6 says has a ‘major’ ionic adsorption clay REE mineral resource of 409 million tonnes @ 2,262 parts per million total rare earth oxides.
Further, Caldera lies in the same region as Viridis Mining and Minerals’ (ASX:VMM) Colossus Project, which has seen the ASX-listed explorer’s shares surge more than 500% over the past 7 months.
Si6 owns a 50% interest in its Brazilian tenements as part of a joint venture agreement with private miner Foxfire Metals.
Meanwhile, Si6 also owns a portfolio of 3 projects in Botswana prospective for nickel, copper, platinum group elements (PGE), silver, and gold.
Images: Si6 Metals
