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Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX: EPM) (Eclipse Metals or the Company) is pleased to update shareholders on recent progress at its Grønnedal prospect, located within the Ivigtût Project in southwestern Greenland. Building on the October 2024 announcement, the Company has taken significant steps to expand its maiden JORC Code (2012) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The current MRE, comprising 1.18Mt grading 6,859ppmm Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) (Table 1, Appendix 1), is based on limited shallow drill testing of a small section amounting to less than approximately 5% of a larger carbonatite complex that is enriched in rare earths mineralisation.
Table 1: Eclipse’s Grønnedal Classified Mineral Resource(LREO: Light Rare Earth Oxides, HREO: Heavy Rare Earth Oxides, MREO: Magnet Rare Earth Oxides)
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Calibrated Analysis in Progress: Samples from six historical Grønnedal drill holes are being used to refine and validate XRF results for precise resource estimation.
- Focus on Rare Earth Elements (REE): Analytical emphasis on REE geochemistry, with additional investigation into niobium (Nb) and gallium (Ga) mineralisation.
- Advanced Mineralogical Studies: Mineralogy using TIMA technology aims to correlate geochemical data with mineral phases.
- Results Timeline: Laboratory analyses are underway in Sweden, with outcomes anticipated in Q1 2025.
In 1950, Kryolitselskabet Øresund A/S, (Cryolite Miner), drilled six diamond holes in the vicinity of the Grønnedal resource to test for a potential iron ore deposit. This drilling extends to depths of up to 200m. During 2024 Eclipse completed XRF analyses of the core from these drillholes, which is stored in Gothenburg. The analysis comprised automated core-scanning using the Minalyze XRF TruScan technology developed by Veracio in Gothenburg, Sweden,
The XRF analysis confirmed the qualitative presence of REE mineralisation. Selected intervals of the core are currently being verified by laboratory analysis. This phase focuses on REE geochemistry, particularly neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy), and terbium (Tb), which are pivotal for magnet applications.
Selected samples are also being analysed by TIMA (TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyser) mineralogical analysis in order to align chemical analyses with specific mineralogical features, thus enhancing the understanding of resource quality and distribution.
GEOLOGY
The Grønnedal MRE is located at the northern end of Central Carbonatite which covers an area of 1,400m by 750m (Figure 1). The Central Carbonatite forms part of a larger complex that includes the Northern Carbonatite that is yet to be tested for REE. The Central Carbonatite is enclosed within syenitic rocks and is intruded by a series of north-easterly trending dolerite, basaltic and trachytic dykes (Figure 2). The depth to which the carbonatite extends is yet to be determined. Data from the deeper historic diamond drillholes, all of which ended in mineralisation, reveal a minimum vertical extent of 170m.
Figure 1: Geology of the Grønnedal Carbonatite Complex
The footprint of the current MRE is defined through shallow trenching and drilling over a 300m x150m area which represents a small fraction of the Central Carbonatite. The resource is open- ended in all directions and at depth. Confirmation of REE in the historic diamond holes, which were drilled outside of the resource envelope, is considered to be significant as it indicates continuation of mineralisation into areas that remain untested.
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EPM:AU
Thick zones of HM mineralisation observed across Douala HM Project
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Company’s reconnaissance auger and channel sampling programme has been completed at the Douala Basin HMS Project
- Reconnaissance sampling undertaken across the 6 Douala Basin tenements has identified thick zones of high estimated concentrations of heavy minerals (HM) as well as natural rutile
- Work at the Douala Basin Project followed up on historical HM occurrences identified by previous Eramet drilling, as well as priority areas identified through the Company’s internal reviews
- Samples collected from the reconnaissance program are due to be submitted for laboratory analysis in the coming weeks, with results expected in the September quarter
- At Douala Basin, exploration will transition to a detailed campaign of auger drilling
Samples collected from this initial exploration programme are currently being prepped for dispatch to the Company’s laboratory for analysis in South Africa, with results expected in the September quarter.
Technical Consultant, Cliff Fitzhenry, commented:“While the Company’s primary focus is on the Central Rutile Project, where we have recently reported the presence of wide-spread residual natural rutile mineralisation, we believe that the Douala Basin HMS project has significant potential. The reconnaissance programme has over the last few weeks demonstrated the potential of the area, with the identification of high concentrations of visible heavy mineral sands across the project tenements through a mixture of auger, channel, and soil sampling work. Pleasingly, we have also observed natural rutile grains at Douala Basin.
We look forward to the assay results of the reconnaissance programme in the coming months.”
Reconnaissance exploration at the Douala Basin HMS Project
As announced on 5 June 2025, the Company commenced reconnaissance auger and grab sampling programmes at the Central Rutile and Douala Basin HMS projects, Cameroon. At the Douala Basin project, the Company has completed 12 hand auger drill holes (refer Figure 1), collecting 53 samples in the process, as well as collected 38 channel samples from 11 surfaces for analysis (refer Tables 1 & 2).
Table 1: Reconnaissance auger drill holes completed to date at the Douala Basin HMS Project showing maximum visual estimates of HM% from panned concentrate of the 1m samples.
Cautionary Statement:
The Company cautions that, with respect to any visual mineralisation indicators, visual observations and estimates of mineral abundance are uncertain in nature and should not be taken as a substitute or proxy for appropriate laboratory analysis. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. Assay results from the drilling and sampling programmes will be required to understand the grade and extent of mineralisation. Initial assay results are expected in August 2025.
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This article includes content from DY6 Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
