Voltaic Strategic Resources Limited (ASX:VSR) has intersected significant and widespread REE-enriched zones at its Neo prospect in phase one drilling at its Paddy’s Well Project, in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region, an emerging critical minerals hotspot.
Works commenced earlier this year to test the upper clay zone and determine the basement rock depth within an area where historical drilling identified REEs. The drilling programme consisted of 14 RB holes for 710m, and 14 AV holes for 159m within the highly prospective Chalba Shear Zone (CSZ) 1 corridor with both primary carbonatite and clay hosted REE potential.
The programme has successfully validated the historical total rare earth element oxide (TREO2) drill results and significantly expanded the target area with mineralization remaining open at depth and along strike.
Voltaic chief executive Michael Walshe said results were highly encouraging at such an
early stage of the project’s lifecycle.
“Assays of the initial AV drill samples, and preliminary pXRF analysis of the RB drill samples indicate multiple REE intercepts of up to 30m true width from near surface, with individual metre values up to 9000ppm TREO,” Mr Walshe said.
“Each of the first five RB drill holes processed have at least four REE stacked zones with potential for significant intercept width increase.
“Soil pXRF surveys indicate that the size of the mineralized strike is at least 6km x 2km creating a regional-scale opportunity for the company. Anomalies of >1,000ppm TREO have been identified at surface which is highly significant when compared to established peers like Australian Rare Earths, OD6, or Ionic Rare Earths,” he said.
“The identification of monazite and associated rhabdophane, both REE-bearing phosphate minerals commonly associated with carbonatite REE deposits, is also a highly significant development in the discovery journey.
“Monazite and rhabdophane are found at Hastings (ASX:HAS) Yangibana Project, which is currently under construction ~100km northeast of Paddy’s Well, at Lynas’ Mt Weld carbonatite6, as well as Dreadnought Resources’ Yin ferrocarbonatite deposit”.
For further information please visit: https://www.voltaicresources.com/
