Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) has obtained exceptional results of assays for Tranche Five of a 8,220m Phase 4 drill programme completed in October 2021 at the Makuutu Rare Earths Project in Uganda.
Results to date continue to confirm that Makuutu is a large scale, ionic adsorption clay (IAC) hosted rare earth element (REE) project, with extension potential identified east and to the northwest.
The Project is well supported by existing infrastructure and is one of a few confirmed IAC deposits identified globally, outside of China.
The latest drill assay results have been received for a further 110 drill holes making up the Tranche 5 submission. The results are for holes drilled within the existing inferred and indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Makuutu Central Zone, resource area I, and to evaluate Exploration Target C and E, that were excluded from the 2021 MRE due to limited drill hole density.
Managing Director, Tim Harrison, said all 110 holes have delivered clay and saprolite mineralisation intersections above the cut-off grade of 200 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxide less CeO2 (TREO-CeO2) and demonstrated mineralisation consistent with both the initial drilling phases (2019 and H1 2020) and the current MRE.
Notable thick, high-grade and near surface intervals reported from the Tranche 5 assay results include:
▪ RRMDD567 7.4 metres at 1,829 ppm TREO from 3.2 metres
▪ RRMDD585 11.4 metres at 1,567 ppm TREO from 3.3 metres
▪ RRMDD549 10.7 metres at 1,489 ppm TREO from 3.0 metres
▪ RRMDD573 12.0 metres at 1,449 ppm TREO from 3.0 metres
▪ RRMDD510 13.1 metres at 1,374 ppm TREO from 4.7 metres
▪ RRMDD560 12.6 metres at 1,189 ppm TREO from 3.1 metres
▪ RRMDD562 11.0 metres at 1,070 ppm TREO from 4.1 metres ▪ RRMDD550 11.1 metres at 1,067 ppm TREO from 3.7 metres
▪ RRMDD576 21.6 metres at 871 ppm TREO from 1.9 metres
▪ RRMDD569 20.2 metres at 855 ppm TREO from 4.5 metres
▪ RRMDD559 18.0 metres at 769 ppm TREO from 8.3 metres
▪ RRMDD501 27.3 metres at 704 ppm TREO from 10.4 metres
“These latest tranche 5 drill assays align with both expectation and the prior 4 tranches reported to date from the Phase 4 drill programme at Makuutu,” Mr Harrison said.
“The results once again clearly show a very thick rare earths bearing clay system, under minimal cover.
“With this batch, the Phase 4 drilling assay data has nearly all been delivered, and the resource geologist engaged.
“The Makuutu resource remains on course for a significant upgrade in confidence in the near term, with the MRE update advancing Makuutu another step closer to our goal of submitting a mining licence application later in 2022.
“Tranche 5 Drilling Results Assay results have been received for 110 holes in the fifth tranche of assays from the Makuutu Phase 4 drill programme. The aim of the programme is to increase MRE confidence in the Central Zone plus areas F, G, H and I.
“In addition, exploration targets C, E and the area between the Central Zone and Central Zone East have been infill drilled to support resource estimation of these zones.”
For further information please visit: https://ionicre.com.au/
