Nimy Resources begins exploring for REE after discovering carbonatite anomaly at Mons
Carbonatites are rare igneous rocks (commonly intrusive) and can contain REE and other minerals such as niobium and phosphate.
Nimy Resources (ASX: NIM) has begun exploring for rare earth elements after identifying geophysical similarities to other known REE carbonatite deposits including Lynas’ (ASX: LYC) Mt Weld mine.
The carbonatite REE target was identified on the western region of Nimy’s Mons project in Western Australia following a review of airborne magnetic survey data.
According to Nimy, carbonatites are rare igneous rocks (commonly intrusive) and can contain REE and other minerals such as niobium and phosphate.
AngloGold Ashanti (ASX: AGG) previously identified the target on Nimy’s Mon’s tenement as a potential carbonatite intrusion in 2015. At the time, the major miner noted the target could host REE or other economic minerals, but it was not followed up.
Similarity to Mt Weld
Nimy chairman Simon Lill said had worked on the Mt Weld project in 1999 with company geologist Fergus Jockel.
“I was initially attracted to the feature to the west of Nimy’s tenure due to its geophysical similarities to Mt Weld.”
“To find that the ground was available and underexplored demanded that Nimy take the opportunity to pick it up,” he said.
Exploration underway
Nimy secured the tenement that hosts the REE anomaly in March 2021.
Since then it has conducted “extensive historical research” of available data. It also conducted drone arial photography.
Nimy has already completed an initial soil sampling program across the target, with samples despatched for ultrafine analysis.
All-up, 21 samples have been transported for assay and the results will give Nimy a first pass preview of the surface geochemistry of the target and help guide future work.
A more comprehensive soil sampling program is underway, and the company has planned a maiden drill program, which will begin once requisite approvals have been received.
As part of this one test hole will be drilled to 300m.
“We look forward to finding out what other similarities to Mt Weld that it may contain,” Mr Lill said.
He pointed out that REE play a critical role in the clean energy technologies required for the world’s path to net zero.