ABx Group has reported unprecedented rare earth grades from its recent drilling campaign, with findings far surpassing previous results. The newly analyzed hole, RM336, revealed a concentration of 17,333 ppm TREO, a figure four times greater than the prior record set by hole RM302.
The latest drilling of 18 holes aimed to examine regions west of RM302. These impressive assay results have given ABx’s exploration team significant optimism, hinting at another high-grade region. This potential new zone supplements the ones found at Deep Leads, Rubble Mound, and Windbreak. The exploration target zone stretches over an expansive area of approximately 38.6 square miles (100 km2), with parts still unevaluated.
Of note, RM336 displayed extraordinarily high grades of dysprosium and terbium, two of the most sought-after rare earth elements. Measurements showed up to 819 ppm Dy2O3 and up to 138 ppm Tb4O7. Tasmania’s rare earth discoveries led by ABx show a significant enrichment in Dy and Tb.
Currently, a resource modeling update is in progress, aiming to pinpoint the high-grade thick zones within the vast resource. Concurrently, ABx has started extraction testwork, with a focus on balancing cost-effectiveness with the quality of concentrate produced, employing eco-friendly leaching methods.
Mark Cooksey, ABx Group’s Managing Director and CEO, shared his enthusiasm in a press release.
“Our rare earth resources are exceptionally enriched in Dy and Tb. RM336’s results, in my view, are unparalleled in Australia. It showcases how ABx’s exploration techniques are uncovering the potential of this unique rare earth resource.”
Moving forward, ABx plans to continue drilling west of RM336. The exploration license application, covering a 9.9-mile (16 km) stretch from Deep Leads/Rubble Mound to the Wind Break REE discovery area, is ongoing. This expansion would raise the rare earth target region from roughly 13.5 square miles (35 km2) to over 38.6 square miles (100 km2). Furthermore, Figure 1 illustrates the potential for the target area to expand substantially west of RM336.
