Summit Minerals (ASX:SUM) has begun a systematic exploration program to define initial priority drill targets at its wholly owned Ecuador and Juazerinho Niobium projects in Brazil.
Geological due diligence has been completed, in which Summit highlighted the presence of prospective lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites at Ecuador, some of which have seen prior exploitation of niobium/tantalite mineralisation associated with LCT pegmatites.
Summit, which has a market capitalisation of $6.65 million, says this early exploration phase will include detailed geological mapping, outcrop sampling, channel sampling, and where appropriate, trenching and pitting.
The company is also planning to conduct an orientation high-resolution UAV (drone) magnetics survey aimed to define signatures associated with known mineralisation.
Data gained from these activities will inform preliminary drill targeting.
Both projects lie in the Borborema Pegmatitic Province in the Paraiba State of Northeast Brazil. This pegmatitic province is considered an “important” market source of niobium and spodumene.
Summit Minerals is a resource explorer and developer focused on its projects in Brazil, Canada, and Australia. The company’s projects are considered prospective for niobium, rare earths, and lithium.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Summit Minerals
