Ragusa Minerals Limited’s (ASX: RAS) initial assay results from the first round of drilling at the company’s 100% owned Burracoppin Project in Western Australia have identified high-grade rare earth oxide (REO) mineralization and very high average Al2O3 results.
These correspond with very bright to ultra-bright ISO brightness figures in a significant portion of the deposit.
Partial assay results have been received for all 147 composite samples submitted, which include complete sizing, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) data for elemental composition including rare earth elements (REE). ISO brightness (ISO-B) results have been received for 50 of the 147 samples so far, with x-ray diffraction (XRD) results for kaolinite/halloysite determination still awaited.
Results received to date indicate the Burracoppin Project contains exceptionally high-grade alumina averaging 33.73% Al2O3 – with a peak grade of 38.3% Al2O3, corresponding with an ultra-bright ISO-B of 88% and 50% of samples greater than ISO-B 80%. In addition, 40% of the samples returned total rare earth oxide levels (TREO) above a 500ppm cut-off, with an average of 1,493ppm TREO and a peak value of 6,285ppm TREO.
Compared to other similar projects, these results are exceptional and often exceed quality metrics for both bright white kaolinite with very high alumina levels, and TREO levels with elevated magnetic rare earth oxide (MREO) components.
“The company is excited with the initial results from the maiden drilling programme and the significant discovery of rare earth elements at our Burracoppin Project,” Ragusa Chair, Jerko Zuvela, said.
“This is a positive result for the potential multi-commodity development of our Project – with upcoming laboratory analysis results used to delineate a JORC mineral resource. We look forward to progressing the strategic critical minerals discovered at Burracoppin.”
Ragusa believes the combined kaolinite and rare earth endowment of the Burracoppin Project presents a multi- commodity opportunity in the burgeoning critical minerals sector for Ragusa.
“The work conducted to date covers only ~5% of the project area, leaving enormous potential for development of a major multi- commodity project servicing the forecast critically short supply of battery and automotive components and future green energy technologies.
“Once the outstanding laboratory results are received, the company will proceed with preparing a maiden resource estimate for the project,” Mr Zuvela said.
For further information please visit: https://www.ragusaminerals.com.au/
