Stansmore Drillhole Returns 1m @ 425ppm Nb+Nd+Pr and 217ppm Y+Yb at 302m Depth
Lycaon Resources has released assay results from its inaugural drilling at the Stansmore Nb-REE target in Western Australia's West Arunta Project, revealing modest mineralisation but no immediate trigger for follow-up drilling.
- Maiden drill program completed with a single 324m RC hole at Stansmore target
- Best assay result: 1m @ 425ppm Nb+Nd+Pr and 217ppm Y+Yb at 302m depth
- Sulphide mineralisation with 12% sulphur and weakly elevated multi-element geochemistry identified
- Elevated copper (1%) and silver (1.5g/t) noted near weathering base, likely supergene enrichment
- Further geophysical targets in West Arunta remain untested and under evaluation
Context of the Drilling Program
Lycaon Resources Ltd (ASX: LYN) has announced the assay results from its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Stansmore Nb-REE target, part of its wholly owned West Arunta Project in Western Australia. The single hole, drilled to 324 metres depth, was designed to test a prominent 500-metre diameter magnetic anomaly indicative of potential niobium and rare earth element mineralisation.
The drilling was co-funded by a $180,000 grant under the Western Australian Exploration Incentive Scheme, enabling Lycaon to efficiently explore this under-explored region known for recent discoveries by peers WAL Resources and Encounter Resources.
Key Assay Findings and Geological Insights
The drill hole intersected a variably magnetic mafic intrusive body with trace sulphides below 80 metres. Notably, a 1-metre interval at 302-303 metres returned elevated concentrations of niobium plus neodymium and praseodymium (425ppm) alongside yttrium and ytterbium (217ppm). This zone also exhibited 12% sulphur content and weakly elevated levels of silver, arsenic, bismuth, cerium, cobalt, copper, and lead.
However, the company has characterised this mineralisation as shear-related and not sufficiently significant to warrant immediate follow-up drilling. Elevated copper (1%) and silver (1.5g/t) near the base of weathering are interpreted as supergene enrichment rather than primary mineralisation.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
Lycaon's Executive Director, James Robinson, acknowledged that while the results fell short of expectations, the West Arunta region remains highly prospective with several other substantial geophysical anomalies yet to be tested. The company is actively assessing these targets to determine future exploration priorities.
The Stansmore Project's magnetic signature shares characteristics with carbonatite-hosted niobium and rare earth element systems recently discovered nearby, which are critical for emerging technologies and classified as strategic minerals by the Australian Government.
Given the limited historic exploration and challenging surface conditions dominated by sand dunes and spinifex, Lycaon's ongoing evaluation of the West Arunta Project aligns with a broader industry focus on unlocking new critical mineral resources in Australia.
Broader Market and Sector Context
Niobium and rare earth elements are vital for high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy, and defence. The West Arunta's emerging status as a potential source of these commodities adds strategic value to Lycaon's portfolio despite the modest initial drill results.
Investors should note that the company has not planned further drilling at Stansmore pending review, but remains open to new project acquisitions and exploration opportunities.
Bottom Line?
While initial drilling at Stansmore yields modest results, Lycaon's broader West Arunta targets keep the critical minerals story alive.
Questions in the middle?
- Which of the other unexplored geophysical anomalies in West Arunta hold the most promise for follow-up drilling?
- How will Lycaon balance exploration expenditure with the modest results from Stansmore in its broader project strategy?
- Could new project acquisitions accelerate Lycaon's position in the critical minerals sector amid rising global demand?
