American Rare Earths’ Assays set to step up Halleck Creek resource

Assays reveal considerable upside potential at American Rare Earths’ flagship Halleck Creek project
Mapping and sampling was conducted across previously unexplored and contiguous areas
The company is now looking forward to updating the 1.43 billion tonne Maiden JORC Resource

Special Report: Latest assays from American Rare Earths’ exploration program have demonstrated significant upside potential well beyond Halleck Creek’s already huge 1.43 billion tonne JORC Resource.

Mapping and sampling has confirmed consistent new rare earth mineralisation in contiguous and previously unexplored claims, with Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) levels of up to 4,691 ppm from surface sampling.

Significantly, high value magnetic rare earths neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) average 23% of TREO, which are consistent with past results from potentially the largest strategic rare earths project in the US.

American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) geologists, who had previously focused on the Red Mountain and Overton claims of the world-class project, identified the mineralisation in the surrounding Trail Creek and County Line claims. The novel sampling was conducted across about 739ha (1,827 acres), which is equivalent to only approximately 20% of the total claims. Other sampling was completed in the high-grade explored project area to assist with test-mine planning.

The company is now looking forward to releasing drill assay results from the recently completed development drilling campaign then plans to upgrade its previously announced JORC resource in coming months.

CEO Donald Swartz said: “We are encouraged with these results that significantly expand the mineralised footprint of the project.

“The deposit remains open at depth and we continue to be impressed with the upside potential; which offers optionality and scalability; as a strategic resource in the United States.

“We have shown in our work that the mineralisation continues to be homogenous and is suitable for low-cost, high-volume extraction.

“These field assays come on the back of outstanding metallurgical results where recent test work demonstrated the Halleck Creek ore can easily be upgraded to 1-2% TREO and is readily leachable using conventional technology – without the complex cracking process necessary in hard rock deposits.”

Best of both rare earths styles

The latest metallurgical test results backed up previous rounds indicating the rarity of the Halleck Creek project: It’s a large, homogenous and shallow rock deposit with ore that can be processed as simply clay – with negligible radioactive penalty elements.

That means open-pit mining with low strip ratio and the ability to crush, separate and upgrade the ore by 1-2% very cheaply, which equates to lower initial capital expenditure and reduced ongoing operating costs.

American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR)