Encounter Resources (ASX: ENR) has confirmed the presence of extensive, high-grade niobium mineralisation at its Green prospect, located within the Aileron Project in Western Australia’s West Arunta region.
Initial assay results from Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling have revealed significant high-grade niobium mineralisation in the upper portions of the system. The results confirm that the Green prospect hosts a large, laterally mineralised zone, with numerous intercepts exceeding 2% Nb2O5, often ending in mineralisation.
Earlier in 2024, reconnaissance aircore drilling at Green mapped this large, mineralised carbonatite system, revealing several high-grade niobium intercepts, including:
- 10m @ 4.2% Nb2O5 from 57m, part of 38m @ 1.5% Nb2O5 from 51m (EAL489)
- 10m @ 4.3% Nb2O5 from 51m, part of 16m @ 3.0% Nb2O5 from 47m to end of hole (EAL500)
- 18m @ 2.7% Nb2O5 from 44m, part of 72m @ 1.0% Nb2O5 from 40m (EAL515)
- 10m @ 3.5% Nb2O5 from 47m, part of 47m @ 1.0% Nb2O5 from 43m to end of hole (EAL534)
These high-grade intercepts prompted the decision to initiate an RC drilling campaign to further define coherent, high-grade zones within the extensive, mineralised carbonatite complex at Green.
Will Robinson, Executive Chairman of Encounter Resources, commented, "Green is a large, mineralised carbonatite system over 3km long, with multiple zones of shallow, high-grade niobium mineralisation identified through aircore drilling. The first RC holes at the western side of Green have delivered some of the best, depth-extensive niobium results seen in the West Arunta region."
The company has now completed a 34-hole RC drilling program, targeting the high-grade mineralisation trends identified during aircore drilling. The program began at the western end of the +3km-long carbonatite zone, where shallow, high-grade niobium mineralisation was encountered in the initial aircore holes, EAL489 and EAL500.
Additional assay results from the remaining 30 RC holes are expected in the coming months. In parallel, metallurgical test work on core from EAL940, including mineralogical scanning and preliminary beneficiation and flotation tests, will be completed in the first half of 2025.
This promising discovery at Green marks a significant step forward for Encounter Resources as it continues to explore and develop the Aileron Project, with the potential for a major niobium resource in the West Arunta region.
