• Axel REE engages SRK Consulting and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to carry out resource estimation and metallurgical test work
  • The maiden resource will initially cover 35km2 of Area A
  • Caladão will potentially be one of the only REE-gallium resources in the world

 

Special Report: Brazilian-focused explorer Axel REE has engaged globally recognised SRK Consulting and ANSTO to begin resource estimation and metallurgical testing for both rare earth elements and gallium at the Caladão project.

The company’s strategy is designed to guide the next stages in the Caladão project’s development in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

It will outline the path for infill drilling to increase resource confidence or step-out drilling to explore adjacent areas for potential extensions. At this stage, only 15% of the Caladão project area (400km2) has been drilled.

SRK will develop supporting documentation that will allow Axel REE (ASX:AXL) to define its resource maiden resource estimate in accordance with the the JORC Code 2012 Edition (JORC).

The initial resource will focus on Area A, with an area of over 35km2 of high grade mineralised REE and gallium zones, with the option to extend the MRE into Area B to cover an additional 25km2 of mineralised zones.

In conjunction, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been engaged to conduct comprehensive testing aimed at evaluating the extraction potential of ionically adsorbed REEs and gallium from AXL’s samples.

 

‘Important next step’

“We are very pleased to see this important next step in the Caladão project’s development underway,” Axel Managing Director Dr Fernando Tallarico said.

“We have so far achieved outstanding REE and gallium results across a potentially district scale system over 60km2 and are delighted to have globally recognised experts SRK and ANSTO on board to complete the maiden Mineral resource estimate and metallurgical testing.”

 

One of few REE-gallium resources globally

Caladão is set to be potentially one of the only REE and gallium resources in the world, with China’s recent ban on gallium export making it a high-value critical metal of strategic importance, currently valued over $250,000 per tonne.

This follows broader moves to restrict antimony exports back in September and gallium, germanium and graphite over a year ago, with China citing national security concerns amid rising trade tensions.

More recently, China moved to tighten export controls on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium earlier this month, all essential components for high-tech and defence applications.

Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fibre optic cables and solar cells.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Axel REE, 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.

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