Indiana Resources Limited (ASX: IDA) has identified further significant REE mineralisation at its 100% owned 5,713 sq. km Central Gawler Project in South Australia.
The assay results relate to samples from 36 aircore (AC) holes that were previously assayed for gold during 2021 and have now been re-assayed for the full suite of light and heavy rare earth elements (Total REE).
These holes were drilled along an 8km strike within an identified prospective 10km strike extent of the Lake Labyrinth Shear Zone (LLSZ) with REE mineralisation remaining open in all directions. Assays highlight a high proportion of high-value Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (MREOs).
“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.
“Planning has commenced to undertake regional air core drilling to further assess the regional distribution of REE mineralisation. All approvals are in place to complete this programme and we are currently establishing rig availability.
“We will be undertaking this in conjunction with our already planned gold exploration activities in the Central Gawler Craton, providing cost economies and work efficiencies which will ensure a strong news flow programme for the remainder of the year.
“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
The Central Gawler Project represents a potentially large-scale rare-earth opportunity. The re- assaying exercise has tested only a small portion of the Project that was indicated to be prospective for REEs.
Indiana is looking forward to systematically testing the REE potential of the additional target areas. The REE results returned to date have given the company confidence 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 (saprolite).
The samples assayed so far have returned highly positive REE results, including a significant percentage of high-value MREOs. The MREOs are predominantly Terbium (Tb) and Dysprosium (Dy) which are referred to as ‘heavy REEs’ (HREEs) and Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), which are termed ‘light REEs’ (LREEs).
Indiana is continuing to review the data 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.
A rare earth metallurgical test work programme to determine the optimal extraction options to produce a commercial product is being examined.
Indiana also awaits gold assay results from Reverse Circulation drilling completed during August at the Minos Gold Prospect. Results are expected in October.
For further information please visit: https://indianaresources.com.au/
