
February 18, 2024
MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) (MTM or the Company) has commenced its exploration of its new West Arunta niobium REE project where it is targeting high-value mineralisation associated with carbonatites.
Highlights:
- MTM has commenced exploration on 3 granted exploration licences in Western Australia’s West Arunta region, immediately adjacent to ground held by WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX:WA1) and Encounter Resources Ltd (ASX:ENR).
- MTM’s exploration program designed to replicate and expand on WA1’s successful journey to date.
- Negotiation of heritage agreements with local Native Title holders currently in progress.
MTM Managing Director, Mr Lachlan Reynolds said the West Arunta Project obtained through the recent acquisition of Flash Metals Pty Ltd provides the Company with compelling exploration opportunities in an under-explored terrane.
“The West Arunta region is one of Australia’s critical metal exploration hotspots with over $60m in exploration expenditure collectively invested in the district by a number of ASX companies including WA1 Resources Limited (ASX:WA1), Encounter Resources Limited (ASX:ENR), Rio Tinto Limited (JV with Tali Resources Pty Ltd) (ASX:RIO) and CGN Resources Limited (ASX:CGR).”
“We are very pleased to start exploration on our ground in the West Arunta province, where there is an opportunity to discover new niobium-rare earth deposits associated with carbonatites. There has been limited exploration in the area, so collection of basic exploration datasets like detailed geophysics could reveal quality targets near to the emerging mineralised carbonatite projects identified by both WA1 and Encounter” Mr Reynolds said.
“It is especially fortunate as WA1 has recently released additional high grade niobium results (including 9m at 3.7% Nb2O5, 12m at 3.4% Nb2O5, 120m at 1.0% Nb2O5)1 as they look more and more likely to deliver a world class niobium resource. We are fortunate to have secured ground that is within 10km of the Luni niobium discovery and within 20km of the P2 niobium discovery and we are looking forward to getting on the ground.”
The Company is currently reprocessing available geophysical survey data and is assessing options for the collection of new magnetic and gravity geophysical data that will be utilised to generate drilling targets. Like the recent discoveries, the exploration program will focus on concealed coincident gravity and magnetic targets within prospective basement rocks that could represent mineralised carbonatite intrusions. Ultimately these targets will be tested with drilling.
MTM has also commenced negotiations regarding heritage agreements with the local Native Title holders to obtain access to the tenements.
West Arunta Niobium REE Project
Covering ~140km2, the granted West Arunta exploration licences are located immediately adjacent to tenements held by WA1 and Encounter, where niobium-REE mineralised carbonatites have recently been discovered (Figure 1).
Figure 1: The West Arunta Niobium-REE Project comprises three granted exploration licences in eastern central Western Australia, located within the Gibson Desert about 80 to 130km west of the Northern Territory/ Western Australia border.
Historical exploration in the West Arunta WA REE tenement areas is very limited and the Company has recently completed a compilation of the exploration data for the area, which shows that there has been no drilling on the ground, nor have any systematic geochemical sampling or detailed geophysical surveys ever been completed.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from MTM Critical 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.
MTM:AU
The Conversation (0)
25 September 2023
MTM Critical Metals
Overview
MTM Critical Metals Limited (ASX:MTM) is an Australian mineral exploration and development company focusing on rare earth elements (REE) and niobium projects to meet the growing demand for these critical minerals.
Initially incorporated to consolidate several gold exploration projects in the Goldfields region in Western Australia, the company’s recent discovery of REE at the East Laverton project has prompted a pivot to the critical metals from gold.
The company has taken a further strategic investment into the REE sector, exercising its option to acquire the Pomme REE-Niobium Project located in Quebec, Canada.The Pomme project is an advanced carbonatite-hosted rare earth and niobium project with historical drilling that has confirmed the presence of significant REE and niobium mineralisation. Furthermore, the project is in close proximity to the Montviel REE-niobium deposit which is the largest undeveloped carbonatite-hosted REE deposit in North America, with a total resource of 266 million tonnes at a grade of 1.46 percent total rare earth elements and 0.14 percent niobium. This highly prospective asset in a mining-friendly jurisdiction allows MTM Critical Metals to further enhance its portfolio of critical mineral assets.
REEs and niobium are on both the Australian and Canadian governments’ critical minerals list for their value for the aerospace industry, electric vehicles, renewable energy and as a valuable export. Known for its mining-friendly regulations, Canada is the world’s second-largest niobium producer.
While often overlooked, niobium is a high-value critical mineral with prices exceeding US$40,000 per metric tonne and a market size that is expected to grow from US$2.38 million in 2022 to US$2.98 million by 2028, at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.78 percent.Other assets in MTM Critical Metals’ portfolio also focus on critical minerals to support the energy transition.
A team with experience in the energy sector, geology, international finance, and throughout the mining industry leads MTM Critical Metals towards its goal of fully exploring its portfolio.
Company Highlights
- MTM Critical Metals Limited is an Australian mineral exploration and development company focusing on critical mineral assets in Canada and Western Australia.
- Rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium are on the Australian and Canadian governments’ critical minerals list for their value for the aerospace industry, electric vehicles, renewable energy and as a valuable export.
- The company has exercised its exclusive and binding option agreement to acquire the Pomme project, an advanced carbonatite-hosted rare earth and niobium asset in Quebec.
- The company recently completed its maiden diamond drilling program at the Pomme REE-Niobium Project with 13 holes drilled for a total of 5,718 metres. REE mineralisation was visually identified in all drill holes, indicating a very large mineralised system.
- The flagship Pomme project is near the Montviel Deposit, one of the largest undeveloped carbonatite-hosted REE and niobium deposits in North America.
- The company’s Western Australian assets focus on critical minerals to support decarbonization goals.
- The East Laverton asset is prospective for clay-hosted REE mineralisation and the company has also recently identified a nickel laterite deposit.
- The company’s underexplored Ravensthorpe project is prospective for critical minerals including REE, nickel, lithium and graphite.
- An experienced management team leads the company towards meeting the growing demand for critical minerals.
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Exploring Highly Prospective REE and Niobium Projects in Quebec and Western Australia
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