Power Minerals has completed its initial diamond drilling phase at the Niobio Project in Brazil, intersecting pegmatites in all 10 holes with some exceeding 30 metres in thickness. Assay results expected in coming months will guide the next exploration steps.
- Completed 10 diamond core holes totaling 809.75 metres
- Pegmatites intersected in every hole, some over 30 metres thick
- On-site pXRF analysis underway to select samples for lab assays
- Assay results anticipated in March/April 2025
- Next drilling phase planned based on assay outcomes and LiDAR data
First-Phase Drilling Success at Niobio
Power Minerals Limited (ASX: PNN) has announced the completion of its first phase of diamond drilling at the Niobio Project in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The company drilled 10 holes totaling 809.75 metres across three priority pegmatite targets, successfully intersecting pegmatites in every hole. Notably, several intercepts exceeded 30 metres in downhole thickness, underscoring the potential scale of mineralisation.
Geological Context and Exploration Approach
The drilling targeted pegmatites identified through previous sampling programs that yielded high-grade niobium, tantalum, and rare earth element (REE) results, as well as recent LiDAR surveys that refined target zones. The pegmatites are complex, sheeted dyke systems emplaced within metamorphic host rocks, exhibiting variable mineralogy and multiple parallel bodies. This geological complexity suggests a diverse distribution of target metals, which could enhance the project's economic potential if confirmed by assays.
Current Analytical Work and Next Steps
On-site, Power Minerals is conducting detailed logging supported by portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis to guide sample selection for laboratory assays. These assays, expected within six to eight weeks, will provide quantitative data on metal grades and inform prioritisation of targets for follow-up drilling. The company also plans to leverage LiDAR data to identify additional pegmatite targets within the project area, some of which await environmental approvals for drilling.
Strategic Implications and Outlook
Managing Director Mena Habib highlighted the encouraging nature of the initial drilling results and the abundance of untested walk-up targets. The successful completion of this phase positions Power Minerals to advance its exploration strategy methodically, with assay results serving as a critical input for resource estimation and potential development pathways. The project's location within the Borborema Pegmatite Province, known for tantalum-niobium mineralisation, adds further geological credibility to the exploration effort.
While visual estimates of mineralisation provide early optimism, the company cautions that laboratory assays are essential to accurately assess economic viability. The forthcoming assay results will be closely watched by investors and analysts as they hold the key to unlocking the project's value and shaping Power Minerals' next exploration chapter.
Bottom Line?
Assay results will soon reveal whether Niobio’s thick pegmatites translate into a viable niobium and rare earth resource.
Questions in the middle?
- What grades of niobium, tantalum, and rare earth elements will the assays confirm?
- How will the assay results influence the scale and timing of the next drilling phase?
- What is the potential for expanding the resource given the numerous untested pegmatite targets?