Taruga Minerals (ASX:TAR) has reported indications there is a ‘high concentration’ of readily soluble rare earth elements (REEs) from recent drill samples at its Morgan’s Creek prospect in South Australia.
Taruga reports this is a critical factor in determining the economic viability of REE deposits.
The results of analytical testwork were completed on drill samples from the 2021 reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Morgan’s Creek, within the Mt Craig Project (MCP).
Taruga notes that average recoveries in the clay zone remain unchanged at 85% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 93% magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO), while fresh rock REE recoveries have also increased, and indicate a high REE solubility of 47% of the TREO and 50% of the MREO in the fresh rock zone.
Addressing the positive results, Chief Executive Officer Thomas Line said: “Our ongoing metallurgical assessment continues to provide strong encouragement for the potential of the REEs at Morgan’s Creek to be susceptible to a simple, low-cost process flow sheet.
“We have now analysed all significant intercepts which have indicated high average recoveries in the clay and weathered zones”
“We have now analysed all significant intercepts which have indicated high average recoveries in the clay and weathered zones.
“The technical team have been busy defining a series of new clay-hosted REE targets at Morgan’s Creek and we are currently performing auger drilling across these targets to assist in refining drill targets.
“We are excited to progress to Aircore and RC drilling toward the end of July, in what will be the first ever targeted REE exploration program at the project.”
Morgan’s Creek has been the focus of copper exploration until this point, however significant REE mineralisation has been defined over an area of approximately 6km long x 2km wide and remains open in all directions.
The technical team have defined a series of new clay-hosted REE targets using the knowledge obtained from recent drilling along with new geophysical datasets and mapping.
Soils geochemistry and auger profiles are being completed over the priority target areas now to assist with defining final Aircore and RC drill targets.
The company is currently planning to commence aircore/RC drilling at the end of July or early August.
Images: Taruga Minerals Limited
