Enova Mining Unveils High-Grade Rare Earth Targets Up to 1.87% TREO in Brazil
Enova Mining has revealed promising high-grade rare earth element targets at its East Salinas project in Brazil, with surface samples returning up to 1.87% total rare earth oxides and strong magnetic REE signatures.
- Surface rock-chip samples up to 1.87% TREO at East Salinas
- High neodymium-praseodymium oxide ratio of 38.8% indicating valuable magnetic REEs
- Elevated heavy rare earth oxides including dysprosium and terbium detected
- Key exploration targets Naked Hill and Bald Hill remain open along strike and depth
- Ongoing metallurgical test work supports low-cost gravity concentration processing
Discovery Highlights at East Salinas
Enova Mining Limited (ASX – ENV) has announced a significant breakthrough at its East Salinas Medina Granitic Complex in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with surface sampling revealing high-grade rare earth element (REE) mineralisation. Rock-chip assays have returned total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades as high as 1.87%, a figure that positions East Salinas as a compelling new entrant in the global rare earths landscape.
The standout results come from the Naked Hill and Bald Hill areas, where elevated concentrations of neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr), key components in high-performance magnets, reached up to 38.8% of TREO. These magnetic REEs are critical for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, underscoring the strategic value of the discovery.
Geological Context and Exploration Strategy
The Medina Intrusive Suite, hosting the East Salinas project, is characterised by granite and granodiorite outcrops that align with Enova’s geological model for hard-rock REE systems. The project’s large 22,700-hectare tenement package offers extensive exploration potential, with the Naked Hill and Bald Hill targets remaining open both along strike and at depth.
Enova’s exploration team has conducted systematic rock-chip and soil sampling, supported by hyperspectral remote sensing analysis, to refine priority targets. The company plans to advance to detailed mapping, geophysical surveys, and drilling to delineate mineralisation continuity and scale.
Metallurgical Testing and Processing Outlook
Metallurgical test work is underway at CIT Senai in Belo Horizonte, focusing on low-cost beneficiation methods such as gravity concentration following coarse grinding. Early indications suggest that the medium to coarse-grained leuco-granite mineralisation could be amenable to scalable, cost-effective processing techniques including spirals, jigs, or flotation. This approach could enhance project economics by producing a saleable REE concentrate with minimal processing complexity.
Strategic Importance and Next Steps
Brazil’s stable mining jurisdiction, combined with Enova’s strategic footprint across the Lithium Valley region, positions East Salinas as a high-impact rare earth opportunity. The project complements Enova’s broader portfolio, which includes other REE and battery metal assets in Brazil and Australia.
Looking ahead, Enova will focus on refining exploration targets and advancing drilling programs to better understand the deposit’s scale and grade continuity. Concurrently, metallurgical studies will inform processing strategies to support a low-impact, economically viable development pathway.
Bottom Line?
East Salinas marks a promising chapter for Enova Mining, but the true scale and economics await drilling and metallurgical results.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling results confirm the depth and continuity of the high-grade REE mineralisation?
- What will metallurgical test work reveal about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of gravity concentration processing?
- Could the project’s heavy rare earth element content unlock additional value beyond NdPr-focused magnet materials?
