Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX: EPM) has received encouraging results for rare earth elements praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd) in a maiden percussion drilling and trench sampling programme in its SW Greenland multi- commodity project.
The drill and trench samples collected at Ivigtût and Grønnedal are booked for shipment to a laboratory in Australia for comprehensive analysis.
XRF analysis of composite samples recorded in Greenland before shipment have returned encouraging values for praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd) ratios, discussed in detail below. The results indicate that the Grønnedal carbonatite complex could be significant on a global basis with respect to its Pr and Nd content.
Grønnedal Carbonatite
Drill sample testing using portable XRF analyzer (pXRF)
At the Greenland sample preparation facility, pXRF readings, taken on five 1.5m composite samples from drillhole L3-9, returned an intersection average of 7.5m @ 0.8% La2O3+Ce2O3+Pr2O3+Nd2O3 (4REO), with praseodymium (Pr)/lanthanum (La) and neodymium (Nd)/cerium (Ce) ratios of about 1.2:1, as well as 0.49% Zn+Pb+Ni (Table 1).
Eclipse cautions that the pXRF tests are not definitive in nature with all samples yet to be analysed at an Australian laboratory for REE and base metals as well as other major and trace elements.
Although these pXRF results are preliminary, Eclipse has interpreted them to indicate that the commercially more valuable rare earth elements (REE) Pr and Nd are significantly enriched in drillhole L3-9 relative to lower value La and Ce, an observation that is consistent with academic studies as well as laboratory results received previously.
Previous laboratory and pXRF assay results from Grønnedal rock chip samples
On 17th November 2021, the Company reported pXRF results indicating potentially significant rare-earth element content. Subsequent laboratory results from samples tested by pXRF confirmed significant 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd).
On 22nd November 2021, Eclipse reported laboratory assays from historical Grønnedal drill core sample IVT 21-4, which yielded 2.1% TREO, including 0.12% Pr2O3 and 0.46% Zn.
On 9th March 2022, the company reported highly anomalous heavy REE laboratory assay results for six rock chip samples (G21010, G21011, G21014, G21016, G21017 and G21019), demonstrating that the Grønnedal carbonatite complex is – at least in part – enriched in Pr and Nd.
On 24th March 2022, Eclipse reported the final laboratory assay results for the above samples with G21016 having returned 4.66% TREO, 0.13% Gd2O3 and 3.3% BaO, and sample G21011, collected from an aplite cutting the Grønnedal complex, having returned 0.93% Nb2O5, 0.07% Rb2O and 1.77% ZrO2.
Preliminary Results
Overall, the Grønnedal rock chip samples demonstrated unusual patterns for Pr/La and Nd/Ce ratios compared to other REE-mineralised carbonatite complexes such as Mountain Pass (California) and Mt Weld (Western Australia).
The lower La and Ce contents measured by pXRF, if confirmed by laboratory assay results across the Grønnedal complex or a significant part thereof, would indicate that REE mineralisation at Grønnedal contains a higher proportion of the commercially more valuable magnetic REE Pr and Nd. The latter are often termed the ‘magnet feed’ REE which are critical elements for high- performance magnets used by and in high demand from the automotive sector and for wind turbines.
More specifically, the pXRF readings and laboratory assay results collected thus far show a relatively large proportion of Pr and Nd, comprising up to 55% of the measured 4REE.
This can be compared with other rare earth deposits:
i) Grønnedal Pr+Nd:
ii) Mountain Pass Pr+Nd:
iii) Mount Weld CLD* Pr+Nd:
55% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd) 17% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd) 25% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd)
For further information please visit: https://www.eclipsemetals.com.au/
