Axel REE Unveils High-Grade Gallium and Rare Earth Zones at Caladão
Axel REE Limited reports continued high-grade gallium and rare earth element assay results from its Caladão Project in Brazil, highlighting shallow, laterally extensive mineralisation in Area B. The company advances towards a maiden resource estimate, underscoring the project's strategic potential.
- Consistent high-grade gallium intercepts from surface in Area B
- Extensive lateral continuity of gallium-rich zones within first 5 metres
- Significant rare earth element (REE) intercepts complement gallium mineralisation
- 597 auger holes completed totaling 8,449 metres drilled
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Area B expected in July
Strong Gallium and REE Mineralisation Confirmed
Axel REE Limited (ASX, AXL) has released compelling assay results from its ongoing auger drilling program at the Caladão Project, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The latest data from Area B reveals consistent, high-grade gallium intercepts starting right from surface, with several holes returning grades well above 70 grams per tonne of Ga2O3 over significant widths. This shallow mineralisation, coupled with lateral continuity within the first five metres, reinforces Area B as a prime target for defining a potentially large and economically attractive gallium resource.
Alongside gallium, the project continues to deliver notable rare earth element (REE) intercepts, including total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades exceeding 4,000 parts per million in some intervals. The coexistence of elevated gallium and REE grades within the regolith profile adds strategic value, as these critical minerals are increasingly sought after for their applications in advanced technologies and clean energy solutions.
Extensive Drilling Supports Resource Delineation
The auger drilling campaign at Caladão has now completed 597 holes, covering 8,449 metres across key target zones. The drilling has effectively sampled lateritic soils and saprolite developed over granite and charnockite bedrock, confirming the presence of broad, laterally extensive mineralised zones. Vertical holes have been used to intersect the flat-lying mineralisation, providing representative sampling of the deposit's geometry.
These results form the foundation for the upcoming maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Area B, expected imminently in July. This will complement the soon-to-be-released MRE for Area A, together illustrating the scale and potential of the broader Caladão system. The company is also progressing metallurgical test work to assess the extraction viability of gallium and REE, which will be critical for advancing the project towards development.
Strategic Importance and Next Steps
Non-Executive Chairman Paul Dickson expressed optimism about the results, noting that the Caladão Project continues to exceed expectations. The confirmation of broad, shallow zones enriched in gallium and rare earths aligns well with Axel's exploration model and strengthens confidence in the project's economic prospects.
Looking ahead, Axel plans to drill lateral extensions of the mineralisation in Area B and complete metallurgical testing at facilities including ANSTO. These steps are designed to refine the resource model and evaluate processing pathways, positioning the company to capitalize on the growing demand for critical minerals essential to modern technology and sustainability.
Bottom Line?
As Axel REE advances its maiden resource estimates and metallurgical studies, Caladão’s potential as a strategic source of gallium and rare earths comes sharply into focus.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimates for Areas A and B compare in scale and grade?
- What are the preliminary outcomes of metallurgical testing for gallium and REE extraction?
- How might global demand for gallium and rare earths influence Axel’s development timeline and financing?