- Saprolite clay system at Summit’s T1-T2 project has potential to host rare earths mineralisation
- Aggressive Phase 1 augur drill program to be carried out
- T1-T2 is located in Brazil’s mineral-rich Minas Gerais mining district
Special Report: Reconnaissance work by Summit Minerals in Brazil’s prolific Minas Gerais mining district identifies another large-scale surface saprolite clay system, this time at its T1-T2 rare earths project.
Summit Minerals (ASX:SUM) gained a foothold in Brazil’s hot critical minerals district after recently snapping up a 292.2km2 tenement package prospective for lithium, niobium and rare earths (REE).
The new discovery at T1-T2 comes on the back of discovering a substantial saprolite clay system identified at Aratapira and exceptional niobium hits of up to 35.54% niobium at its Equador and Juazerinho projects.
Saprolite systems are more than often associated with ionic adsorption clay-hosted (IAC) deposits.
IACs are especially rich the high-value magnetic elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, which are used in semiconductors, rockets and other technologies.
Summit’s new Brazilian critical minerals project locations. Pic supplied: (SUM)
Saprolites show the way
The T1-T2 project is in southern Minas Gerais, near major roads, infrastructure, water access, hydroelectric power, and historic artisanal mining activity.
The identified saprolite clay system is characterised by substantial thickness and well-developed horizons – indicative of ionic adsorption clay-hosted ionic (IAC) deposits, suggesting the potential for a large-scale REE deposit.
SUM plans to conduct a Phase 1 exploration program led by its local exploration team to further delineate the extent and characteristics of the saprolite clay system.
This, says the explorer, will pave the way for a cost-effective maiden auger drill program in the near future.
The deeply-weathered sparolite clay system at the T1-T2 project. Pic supplied: (SUM)
Next steps
The observations made at T1-T2 are encouraging, says SUM.
“The thick weathering profiles developed throughout the projects could potentially host ionic absorption clay (IAC) mineralisation,” it says.
“We’re going to mobilise its in-country team for further mapping and sampling, and eventually, a cost-effective maiden auger test will be conducted to test T1-T2’s potential.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Summit Minerals, 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.