iTech Minerals continues to build REE story at Caralue Bluff with more high-grade and thick intercepts
A highlight interval at Caralue Bluff from the latest assay batch was 12m at 2,343pm TREO from 9m.
The rare earth element (REE) potential of iTech Minerals’ (ASX: ITM) Caralue Bluff prospect continues to build with more thick and high-grade drill results.
This campaign tested Caralue Bluff in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula for regolith-hosted ion adsorption clay (IAC) REE and high purity kaolin.
Latest results from drilling at Caralue Bluff has both consolidated mineralisation and expanded the known area.
iTech has now received results from a further 27 holes completed at the prospect, with 12 of those containing “significant” REE intervals exceeding 350 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO).
Best results from latest drilling at the prospect were 12m at 2,343pm TREO from 9m; 17m at 1,774ppm TREO from 4m; 12m at 1,326ppm TREO from 6m; and 16m at 776ppm TREO from 2m.
iTech managing director Mike Schwarz noted the REE mineralisation was close to the surface and had been delineated over a 10km by 9km area.
All-up 260 holes were drilled at Caralue Bluff in the latest campaign, with assays now announced for 157.
“With over 100 drill holes still to be reported, we hope to see the prospect continue to deliver,” Mr Schwarz said.
The remaining assays are expected to be received before the end of the month.
Advancing Caralue Bluff
In addition to drilling Caralue Bluff, iTech has selected 60 samples for metallurgical test work and evaluated for easily leachable REE mineralisation.
Samples have been selected to be representative of the entire range of geological environments within the prospect and results are expected in less than four weeks.
Caralue Bluff was initially explored for high purity kaolin, where thick intervals of the bright while material were noted close to surface in several historical drill holes.
However, after iTech identified “significant” REE in other prospects (Ethiopia, Burtons and Bartels) within the Eyre Peninsula tenement package, the REE potential was also investigated at Caralue Bluff.