• Axel REE channel sampling confirms continuous, widespread and high-grade REE mineralisation across its Caladão project
  • Magnet rare earth oxides make up average 32% of Total REO content across the 8km of sampling
  • Mineralisation in weathered saprolites also aligns with cost-efficient mining techniques

 

Special Report: Channel sampling at Axel REE’s flagship Caladão Project within the highly prospective ‘Lithium Valley’ in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state has confirmed the presence of continuous, widespread and high-grade rare earths mineralisation.

The program found that valuable magnet rare earth oxides made up an average of 32% of the total rare earth oxide mix across the 8km of sampling with a top channel sample of 30m grading 5,568 parts per million TREO with 40% MREO content.

MREOs, including light rare earths neodymium and praseodymium and heavies dysprosium and terbium, are used to manufacture permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. They typically make up a high portion of the value within any TREO basket.

Axel REE (ASX:AXL) said the results from channel sampling confirmed that widespread and laterally persistent REE mineralisation covers the entire ~30km2 drilled zone to date, which in turn represents less than 10% of the total project area.

This supports the potential for the 400km2 Caladão project to be a district-scale high-grade discovery.

 

Channel sampling locations. Pic: Axel REE

 

A development-ready opportunity

“The channel sampling program at the Caladão Project was conducted in conjunction with our Phase 1 2600m diamond drill program, to test the lateral extent of REE mineralisation and speed up our process to a target resource area,” managing director Dr Fernando Tallarico said.

“These channel samples, which covered an 8km East-West linear area, coupled with our high-grade diamond and auger drill results to date covering over 30 km2, confirm that we are in a huge REE-mineralised system.

“This validates our exploration approach and positions Caladão closer to a development-ready opportunity.

“The extensive TREO mineralisation and high proportion of the high-value MREO in weathered saprolites not only offers near-surface continuity but also aligns with cost-efficient mining techniques, making it a highly attractive proposition.”

 

Channel sampling and drilling

AXL received assays from seven channel samples taken at widths between 15m to 40m from inactive artisanal mines on its tenements within weathered saprolites.

These results spanned across 8km and consistently returned high grade REE continuity with average results of 32% MREO indicating it could be a key target area for resource development.

The 2,600m Phase 1 of a planned 20,000m drill campaign is underway and already providing encouragement with consistently high TREO and MREO results.

Notable examples are 12.4m grading 5,454ppm TREO (1,142ppm neodymium-praseodymium and 46ppm dysprosium-terbium) from a down-hole depth of 14m including 2m at 12,454ppm TREO (2,678ppm NdPr) from 18m in hole CAL-DDH-001 and 32.1m at 5,295pm TREO (837ppm NdPr and 41ppm DyTb) from 13m in hole CLD-DDH-003.

Each phase of drilling is designed to build towards establishing a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate.

To top it off, exploration at Caladão is just one of three programs that the company is currently progressing across its Brazilian critical minerals acreage.

 

 

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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