Redlings Project Reports 11Mt at 1,130 ppm TREO in Maiden Resource Estimate

A Milestone for Marquee Resources

Marquee Resources Limited (ASX:MQR) has taken a significant step forward in its rare earths ambitions with the release of the maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Redlings Rare-Earth Element Project. The estimate outlines a resource of 11 million tonnes grading 1,130 ppm total rare-earth oxides (TREO), equating to 12,430 tonnes of contained rare-earth oxides (REO). This initial resource positions Redlings as a potentially important new source of critical minerals in Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.

Resource Highlights and Composition

Within the total resource, magnetic rare-earth oxides (MREO) account for 2,316 tonnes at 211 ppm, a key subset given their higher economic value. The resource is reported at a cut-off grade of 800 ppm TREO, reflecting a balance between grade and tonnage that aligns with early-stage open-pit mining assumptions. The mineralisation extends across five distinct prospects within the tenement, each contributing to a combined mineralised envelope measuring approximately 2.6 km east-west by 3.6 km north-south.

Exploration Upside and Expansion Potential

Marquee’s Executive Chairman, Charles Thomas, emphasised the transformative nature of this milestone, noting the potential to significantly expand the resource through wide-spaced infill drilling. The company has defined a global Exploration Target ranging from 204 to 306 million tonnes at 950 to 1,130 ppm TREO, which could contain between 194,000 and 346,000 tonnes of REO. This represents a substantial scale-up opportunity, contingent on further drilling to link high-grade intercepts currently delineated at the perimeters of the existing prospects.

Geological Setting and Project Location

The Redlings Project is situated approximately 40 km west of Leonora and 77 km north of Menzies in Western Australia. It lies within a high magnetic biotite-hornblende monzogranite intrusion, with rare-earth mineralisation hosted in structurally controlled carbonatite dykes. The project benefits from proximity to existing infrastructure, enhancing its development prospects. Historical rock-chip samples have returned grades up to 7,800 ppm TREO, underscoring the high-grade nature of the mineralisation.

Robust Methodology and Quality Assurance

The resource estimate is underpinned by 225 reverse circulation drill holes totaling over 2,000 metres, with samples assayed using industry-standard ICP-MS techniques. Quality control measures including duplicates, blanks, and standards were rigorously applied, and independent umpire assays confirmed the reliability of the data. The estimation employed Ordinary Kriging within well-defined mineralised domains, with a bulk density assumption of 2.6 t/bcm consistent with comparable deposits.

Looking Ahead

While the resource is currently classified as Inferred due to drill spacing and early-stage evaluation, Marquee is actively planning a 693-hole infill drilling program to test the Exploration Target area. This program aims to link discrete mineralised zones and potentially upgrade the resource classification. Metallurgical test work is also underway to assess processing pathways, with initial indications suggesting no significant impediments.

Marquee’s maiden resource announcement at Redlings not only validates its exploration strategy but also places the company on a promising trajectory in the critical minerals sector. The coming months will be pivotal as further drilling and technical studies seek to unlock the full potential of this emerging rare-earth asset.