EQN’s Mata da Corda yields 10,110ppm TREO at surface

Ultra high-grade rare earth results have been received from surface clay samples at Mata da Corda
The results have delivered up to 10,110ppm TREO
Drilling is set to start imminently to confirm the behaviour of the grades at depth

Special report: Drilling activities continue to progress on the highest sample areas across Equinox Resources’ early-stage Mata da Corda ionic clay hosted rare earths project.

A major 18,000m drilling program is about to get underway at Equinox Resources’ (ASX:EQN) Mata Da Corda project in Brazil’s Alto Paranaíba Alkaline province in Minas Gerais State.

Surface sampling results of up to 5024ppm TREO in an area spanning 30km2 highlighted the need to fast-track a targeted drilling campaign over the ~975km2 land holding.

EQN purchased its own drill rigs to provide the company with greater flexibility, lower costs and operating times, including the ability to get the samples to the laboratory in a more efficient manner.

Surface sample results

Additional assay results have been received from surface clay samples at Mata da Corda, including:

10,110ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO)
4644ppm TREO
2435ppm TREO; and
2399ppm TREO.

Surface sample results have also revealed significant anomalies in titanium dioxide, indicating promising potential for a secondary product, delivering up to 25% titanium dioxide.

The results were collected from the oxidised clay layer, which are generally more weathered and hosts lower levels of mineralisation to what is indicatively directly beneath in the clay.

EQN says most of the samples present a cerium anomaly, which is analogous to ionic clay deposits.

With an Environmental Licensing Exemption secured for Mata da Corda, geological research and drilling operations will begin to investigate the behaviour of the grades at depth.

A drilling contractor has been awarded and will start drilling imminently.

‘Potential of all REE geologies’

“We are steadfast in our commitment to fast track our REE projects in Brazil across both Mata da Corda and Campo Grande,” EQN managing director Zac Komur says.

“Our REE projects provide us with the potential of all REE geologies from hard rock, monazite sand and ionic clay, we look forward to releasing further assay results as they come to hand.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Equinox Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.