Ausmon Resources Advances Rare Earth Drilling Plans in South Australia
Ausmon Resources has completed critical field reconnaissance across three South Australian tenements, setting the stage for a targeted rare earth elements drilling program pending regulatory approval.
- Completed vehicular traverses across Peake, Wilkawatt, and Parrakie tenements
- Targeting shallow (<20m) aircore drilling on council roadside verges
- Tenements cover 2,317 km² in the Murray Basin with Loxton/Parilla sands prospective for REE
- Awaiting Department of Energy and Mining approval for drilling program environment plan
- Local drilling crew reserved to commence once consent is granted
Strategic Field Reconnaissance Completed
Ausmon Resources Limited has taken a significant step forward in its rare earth elements (REE) exploration strategy by completing detailed vehicular traverses across its three key tenements, Peake, Wilkawatt, and Parrakie, in South Australia's Limestone Coast region. These reconnaissance efforts focused on selecting optimal sites along council roadside verges for a forthcoming shallow aircore drilling program, targeting depths of less than 20 metres.
The three tenements collectively span 2,317 square kilometres within the Murray Basin, an area known for hosting the Loxton/Parilla sands, which have shown promising potential for REE mineralisation. This geological setting aligns with recent successes reported by Australian Rare Earths just south of Ausmon’s holdings, which announced a substantial JORC 2012 resource estimate of 236 million tonnes at 748 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO).
Building on Encouraging Exploration Results
Ausmon’s own drilling campaigns in 2024 within the Parrakie tenement yielded encouraging results, confirming the presence of TREO alongside zirconium mineralisation. These findings underscore the prospectivity of the tenements and provide a solid foundation for the next phase of exploration. The company’s methodical approach, prioritising environmental considerations and community engagement by selecting roadside verges, reflects a commitment to responsible resource development.
Regulatory Approval and Operational Readiness
Currently, Ausmon is finalising its Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) documentation, which is required for approval by South Australia’s Department of Energy and Mining (DEM). This regulatory step is crucial to ensure that the drilling program adheres to environmental standards and community expectations. Meanwhile, the company has secured a locally based drilling crew, poised to mobilise promptly once DEM consent is granted, signalling operational readiness and efficient project execution.
Positioning in a Growing Market
The global demand for rare earth elements continues to escalate, driven by their critical role in clean energy technologies, electronics, and defence applications. Ausmon’s advancement towards drilling in a proven REE province positions the company to potentially capitalise on this trend. While the drilling results will be pivotal, the company’s proactive groundwork and strategic location within the Murray Basin provide a compelling narrative for investors watching the rare earths sector.
As Ausmon awaits regulatory approval, the market will be keenly observing how the company navigates this next phase and whether the drilling program can unlock significant resource potential.
Bottom Line?
Ausmon’s next drilling phase could unlock valuable rare earth resources, but regulatory approval remains the key hurdle.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the Department of Energy and Mining grant approval for the drilling program?
- What are the expected timelines and costs associated with the upcoming drilling campaign?
- How might Ausmon’s drilling results compare to the nearby Australian Rare Earths resource estimates?
