Drilling targeted high-grade rare earth mineralisation extensions from the previously discovered outcropping ironstones. Pic via Getty Images
Mining
Infill drilling at Lanthanein’s Lyons projects in WA’s Gascoyne has intersected new mineralised ironstones and carbonatites at Lyons, a mere 2km from Hastings’ Yangibana and only 15km from Dreadnought’s fence line.
Lanthanein Resources (ASX:LNR) is one of a growing number of critical mineral explorers venturing to WA’s Gascoyne in search of rare earth elements (REEs), used in an array of technology and future facing applications such as smart phones, plus the powerful Neodymium rare earth magnets in wind energy turbines, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
Like Hasting’s (ASX:HAS) Yangibana and Dreadnought’s (ASX:DRE) Yin projects — only 2km and 30km away, respectively — the source of rare earths at LNR’s Lyon projects are the Gifford Creek ferrocarbonatites, which have been intruded along the Bald Hill Lineament.
The highly mineralised ironstone dykes derived from the Gifford Creek carbonatites have been the focus of previous RC drilling in the past, with the Bald Hill lineament representing a high priority target.
A total of 93 RC drillholes totalling 9,507m plus two DMIRS part funded drillholes totalling 305m RC pre-collar and 594m diamond core were completed this year.
Drilling activities also explored for new ironstone and carbonatite targets undercover.
Best intersections include 1m at 1.12% TREO (including 0.17% niobium) from 29m and 11m at 0.38% TREO from 41m, including 4m at 0.65% TREO from 44m and 1m at 0.81% TREO from 51m.
All assay results have now been received, including results from the southern magnetic rim of two large 3.6km and 2.5km diameter Carbonatite Targets LI01 and LI03.
LNR says results show the extensive nature of REE related to 130-220m wide zones of 0.7-1% P2O5 dipping toward the centre, confirming the “funnel shaped” nature of carbonatites.
Drilling also targeted anomalous magnetic and thorium anomalies interpreted to be related to sub-cropping REE in ironstones in previously unexplored areas of the tenement to the southeast of previously drilled REE mineralised ironstone outcrops at the Lyons 11, 12 & 13 prospects.
Significant drill intersections along the 3km NE magnetic lineament, partly related to the south-eastern magnetic rim of the LI01 carbonatite target including 1m at 1.12% TREO and 0.17% niobium from 29m, and 2m at 0.22% TREO from 11m and 1m at 0.22% TREO from 147m.
LNR technical director Brian Thomas says exploration drilling continues to demonstrate the exciting prospectivity of the Lyons project for significant REE mineralisation.
“REEs were intersected in two new previously unsampled ironstone dykes over 2km and 3km strike extents along magnetic lineament targets 5km southeast of previously known ironstones at Lyons 11,” he says.
“Infill drilling along the Lyons 11 ironstone has extended the known mineralisation to over 1km strike length. This extension complements the infill and extensions previously reported at Lyons 12 and 13 which are only 2km from Hastings planned Frasers and Simons Find open cuts.
“There are numerous additional outcropping and sub cropping ironstone targets delineated from satellite imagery plus geophysical targets undercover that are still to be drill tested.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Lanthanein 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.
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