American Rare Earths has expanded its Halleck Creek Rare Earth Project resource by 12.2% to 2.63 billion tonnes with improved grades, reinforcing its role in securing U.S. critical mineral independence.
- Halleck Creek resource estimate increased by 12.2% to 2.63 billion tonnes
- Red Mountain area resource grew nearly 30% with an 8.3% grade uplift
- Cowboy State Mine tonnage rose 29.4% with higher TREO grades
- Project remains open at depth and along strike, indicating further upside
- Updated resource data integrated into upcoming Scoping and Pre-Feasibility Studies
Resource Expansion and Strategic Significance
American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR) has announced a substantial update to its Halleck Creek Rare Earth Project in Wyoming, with the total mineral resource estimate climbing 12.2% to 2.63 billion tonnes at an average grade of 3,292 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). This milestone not only underscores the project's scale but also its growing strategic importance amid increasing U.S. efforts to secure domestic sources of critical minerals.
The Red Mountain area within Halleck Creek was a standout contributor, with resources swelling by 29.7% to 1.24 billion tonnes and an 8.3% increase in TREO grade to 3,252 ppm. Within this, the Cowboy State Mine, the initial development focus, saw a 29.4% rise in tonnage to 543 million tonnes alongside a 2.7% grade improvement to 3,438 ppm TREO. These gains reflect successful 2024 drilling campaigns and surface sampling that have expanded the known deposit boundaries and enhanced confidence in resource continuity.
Geological and Operational Context
Halleck Creek's rare earth mineralization is hosted primarily in the Red Mountain pluton, characterized by allanite-bearing syenitic and monzonitic rocks. The deposit remains open both at depth and along strike, suggesting significant upside potential beyond the current resource footprint, which covers roughly 16% of the overall project area.
Importantly, the Cowboy State Mine is situated on Wyoming State land, providing a streamlined permitting pathway that could accelerate project development. The near-surface mineralization and favorable geology support the prospect of a low-cost open-pit mining operation. Ongoing metallurgical test work continues to demonstrate efficient processing potential, with gravity and magnetic separation techniques capable of removing up to 90% of gangue material, thereby enhancing rare earth grades and reducing operational costs.
Advancing Towards Economic Viability
The updated resource figures are being integrated into an imminent revised Scoping Study, expected in February 2025, and will feed into a Pre-Feasibility Study slated for completion later this year. These studies will provide a more detailed assessment of the project's technical and economic parameters, underpinning American Rare Earths’ phased development approach.
CEO Chris Gibbs highlighted the project's growing scale and strategic value, noting that the resource expansion strengthens Halleck Creek’s economics and its role as a cornerstone asset for U.S. rare earth supply chain independence. The company’s commitment to environmentally responsible mining and collaboration with U.S. government R&D programs further positions Halleck Creek as a critical contributor to national security and economic growth.
Looking Ahead
With the deposit still open for expansion and metallurgical testing ongoing, American Rare Earths is poised to unlock further value from Halleck Creek. The project's potential to reduce U.S. reliance on imports, particularly from China, aligns with broader geopolitical and economic imperatives driving demand for domestic critical minerals.
Bottom Line?
As Halleck Creek’s resource base grows, American Rare Earths edges closer to delivering a vital U.S. rare earth supply, but exploration and economic studies remain key to unlocking its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated Scoping and Pre-Feasibility Studies impact project timelines and capital requirements?
- What are the risks and opportunities associated with metallurgical processing efficiencies at scale?
- To what extent can further drilling expand the resource beyond the current 16% project area coverage?