Enova Plans 1,000m Diamond Drilling Across 4km Strike at East Salinas REE Project

Enova Advances Rare Earth Exploration in Brazil

Enova Mining Limited (ASX – ENV) has announced the commencement of its maiden diamond drilling campaign at the East Salinas Project, located within the Medina Granitic Complex in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to validate and expand on earlier surface geochemical results that revealed highly anomalous rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, with total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades reaching up to 1.87%.

The drilling program is designed to test the depth continuity of mineralisation along a 4-kilometre strike, focusing on three key outcrop targets – Bald Hill, Naked Hill, and Hairy Hill. Enova plans to drill between 10 and 15 diamond holes, each ranging from 50 to 100 metres in depth, for a total of approximately 1,000 metres. This approach aims to provide critical subsurface data to assess the scale and grade variation of the REE mineralisation.

Robust Surface Sampling and Metallurgical Testing Underpin Drilling

Prior to drilling, Enova completed a tightened grid rock chip sampling program, collecting 57 rock chip samples and three bulk samples across the key target zones. These samples have been submitted for assay, with results expected by the end of August 2025. The company is also conducting preliminary metallurgical test work on bulk granite rock chip samples to evaluate mineral liberation, heavy liquid separation, and concentration techniques. Early indications suggest the potential for a low-cost gravity-based processing pathway, which could enhance the project's economic viability.

Enova’s exploration team, led by Exploration Manager Subhajit Deb Roy and Brazilian geologist Fernando Moya, has leveraged detailed geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine drill targets. Geological evidence suggests that the three outcrop targets may be part of a larger, continuous granite body within the Medina Intrusive Complex, enhancing the prospectivity of the project.

Strategic Positioning in a Stable Mining Jurisdiction

The East Salinas Project is situated in Minas Gerais, a well-established and investor-friendly mining jurisdiction in Brazil. The tenements, currently held by Mineração Paranaí Ltda, are in the process of being transferred to Enova Mining, consolidating the company’s control over this promising asset. Brazil’s stable regulatory environment, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure provide a supportive backdrop for Enova’s exploration and development ambitions.

Enova’s CEO, Eric Vesel, emphasised the significance of this drilling campaign – "This is a significant step forward in unlocking the rare earth potential of this highly promising project. Our objective is to determine the extent and depth of mineralisation within these most prospective zones of the Medina Intrusive Complex."

Looking Ahead – From Exploration to Resource Definition

The upcoming drilling results, combined with assay data and metallurgical test outcomes, will be pivotal in defining the resource potential of East Salinas. Enova’s disciplined and scalable exploration strategy aims to advance the project towards resource delineation and eventual development. The company is also continuing to explore other critical minerals projects within Brazil and Australia, positioning itself as a key player in the global transition to clean energy technologies.