Perpetual Resources is advancing plans for deeper drilling at its Raptor Rare Earth Project in Brazil, aiming to unlock significant resource potential and support a maiden JORC estimate.
- Next drilling phase targets 30–40m depth at three key prospects
- Previous shallow drilling revealed high-grade rare earth mineralisation
- Exceptional metallurgical recoveries of up to 94% for critical REEs confirmed
- Project strategically located in Brazil’s Caldeira Alkaline Complex near major ASX-listed peers
- Drilling results to underpin maiden JORC resource estimate
Strategic Drilling Plans Take Shape
Perpetual Resources Ltd (ASX, PEC) is gearing up for a significant step forward at its Raptor Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in Brazil, with plans nearing completion for a new phase of deeper drilling. This program aims to extend the known mineralisation at three promising prospects, Portão Verde, Pina Colada, and Pinheirinho, beyond the shallow depths previously tested. The company intends to deploy Air-Core drilling to reach depths of 30 to 40 metres, a marked increase from earlier handheld auger holes limited to around 10 metres.
Building on Encouraging Early Results
Earlier exploration at Raptor uncovered high-grade rare earth mineralisation near surface, with standout intercepts such as 5 metres at 5,591 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 12 metres at 4,601 ppm TREO. Notably, all drill holes ended in mineralisation, suggesting the deposit remains open at depth. These findings have laid a solid foundation for the upcoming program, which seeks to better define the scale and continuity of the deposit and support the company’s goal of delivering a maiden JORC resource estimate.
Exceptional Metallurgical Potential
Complementing the drilling progress, metallurgical test work conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has confirmed excellent recoveries, up to 94%, for key magnetic rare earth elements including Neodymium, Praseodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium. These elements are critical for manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics, underscoring the strategic importance of the Raptor project within the global critical minerals supply chain.
Prime Location Amid Growing Regional Interest
Raptor’s location within Brazil’s Caldeira Alkaline Complex places it in a rapidly emerging rare earth hub, alongside ASX-listed peers Meteoric Resources and Viridis Mining and Minerals, both of which have recently attracted government grants and institutional backing. Meteoric Resources, for example, recently updated its JORC Mineral Resource Estimate to 1.5 billion tonnes at 2,359 ppm TREO, highlighting the district’s significant potential. Perpetual’s strategic landholding across three high-potential prospects positions it well to capitalize on this momentum.
Looking Ahead
With drilling plans close to finalisation, Perpetual Resources is poised to deepen its understanding of the Raptor deposit’s size and quality. The upcoming program will not only test depth extensions but also explore new targets across the project area. Alongside ongoing metallurgical and mineralogical studies, these efforts aim to advance Raptor toward becoming a long-term supplier of critical rare earths. Investors and industry watchers will be keenly awaiting updates on drilling commencement and assay results, which will be pivotal in shaping the project’s next phase.
Bottom Line?
Deeper drilling at Raptor could unlock substantial rare earth resources, but results will be critical to confirm its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the next phase of drilling officially commence and what are the expected timelines for results?
- How might the new drilling data influence the scale and confidence of the forthcoming JORC resource estimate?
- What further metallurgical advancements are planned to optimize recovery and processing of the rare earth elements?