Final results from Indiana’s re-assaying of 36 previous aircore holes at its Central Gawler project confirms that rare earth element mineralisation is present over at least 8km of strike.

Notable results are 33m grading 1,218 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO) from a down-hole depth of 44m including 4m at 5,290ppm TREO and 2,775ppm of valuable magnet rare earth oxides (MREO) from 56m (LLAC047) and 19m at 2,166ppm TREO from 36m including 4m at 4,334ppm TREO and 1,416ppm MREO from 48m (LLAC043).

With all samples now back from the laboratory, Indiana Resources (ASX:IDA) has started planning for aircore drilling of priority regional targets.

The company also plans to carry out metallurgical testwork to determine the optimum REE extraction process and to carry out systematic exploration of its substantial land package to assess its REE enrichment potential.

“These outstanding results confirm a large-scale, high-grade REE discovery within our Central Gawler Project,” technical director Felicity Repacholi-Muir said.

“Given Indiana’s extensive 100% owned land package, we have immense scope to immediately expand a targeted REE programme to thoroughly assess the potential over the remainder of our extensive holding.”

She added that the regional aircore drilling will be carried out in conjunction with already planned gold exploration activities in the Central Gawler Craton, which will provide cost economies and work efficiencies.

“In addition we are currently investigating the most appropriate mineralogical and metallurgical test work to characterise the style of REE mineralisation and determine the processes available to maximise the recovery of the REEs from the host material.”

Next steps

While the re-assaying has only tested a small portion of the project, the REE results returned to date having given enough confidence for the company to commit to a specific REE focused drilling campaign.

Preliminary assessment of the historical geological logging indicates that the REE mineralisation generally occurs from surface to 100 metres vertical depth with the host lithology varying between upper kaolinitic clays to lower zones of weathered granitic bedrock.

Data is being reviewed to better characterise the mineralogy of the REE mineralisation and to gain further understanding of the vertical zonation and clay hosts as well as the areal extent of the REE mineralisation discovered to date.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Indiana 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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