Power Minerals uncovers rare earth zones in maiden drilling at Eyre Peninsula kaolin-halloysite project
Power Minerals executive director Mena Habib says this is the first time REE has been reported within the company’s Eyre Peninsula tenements.
Diversified exploration company Power Minerals (ASX: PNN) has intersected multiple zones of elevated rare earth elements (REE) during maiden drilling at its Eyre Peninsula kaolin-halloysite project in South Australia.
The campaign is reported to have delivered “outstanding” results including 1,236 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 18% heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) over 3m from 32m.
A total of 12 samples recorded TREO concentrations greater than 500ppm.
Power executive director Mena Habib said the results confirm the presence of significant kaolin-related REE mineralisation within the project area.
“This is the first time REE mineralisation has been reported within Power’s ground holding on the Eyre Peninsula,” Mr Habib said.
“REE is a potential high-value addition to kaolin at this project.”
Rare earth samples
Based on initial assessment by portable x-ray fluorescence, a total of 53 samples from seven separate drill holes were sent from the Eyre Peninsula project for detailed REE analyses.
Analysis aimed to determine if elevated rare earth oxide concentrations were present in raw clays, which had not been pre-screened.
The samples were deliberately taken from drill holes within separate areas to obtain an indication of the distribution of REE concentrations across the project area.
Power said there was “excellent potential” that concentrations could further increase if the samples are subjected to screening at minus 45-micron fraction.
Salta lithium project
At Power’s Salta lithium-brine project in Argentina, new samples from the Pocitos-11 salar have been confirmed as being suitable for direct lithium extraction (DLE).
The proprietary technique will be employed in the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate at Salta under an agreement signed in April with global lithium extraction group Sunresin New Materials.
According to Power, DLE extracts lithium from different brine grades to deliver high recoveries with low costs and expedited processing times, minus the need for evaporation ponds.
Sunresin currently uses the technology at eight commercial projects across South America, North America, Europe and China, ranging in capacity from 3,000 tonnes per annum to 25,000tpa.
Corporate rebranding
Formerly known as PepinNini Minerals, Power went through a corporate rebranding in June.
The name change was designed to reflect a renewed focus on its portfolio of battery and technology metal projects.
In addition to the Salta and Eyre Peninsula projects, Power owns the Musgrave nickel-platinum group elements-REE project in South Australia.