Power Minerals Uncovers High-Grade Niobium and REE at Santa Anna
Power Minerals reports compelling high-grade niobium and rare earth element intersections from early-stage auger drilling at its Santa Anna Project in Brazil, extending the known mineralised footprint and reinforcing confidence in a significant resource.
- Niobium grades up to 1.50% Nb2O5 and TREO up to 1.37% in initial auger holes
- Drilling extends mineralisation east and southeast of previous results
- 1,000m auger program underway targeting shallow zones within Santa Anna Alkaline Complex
- Results support near-term goal of defining a significant Mineral Resource Estimate
- Further deeper drilling and ionic clay REE testing planned
Exploration Momentum Builds at Santa Anna
Power Minerals Limited (ASX – PNN) has released promising results from the first three holes of its second phase auger drilling program at the Santa Anna Project in Goiás State, Brazil. The shallow drilling has intersected high-grade niobium and rare earth elements (REE), with niobium grades reaching as high as 1.50% Nb2O5 and total rare earth oxides (TREO) up to 1.37%. These findings extend the mineralised footprint beyond the initial maiden drilling campaign, targeting previously untested areas to the east and southeast of the Santa Anna Alkaline Complex.
Validating the Exploration Model
The auger drilling results reinforce Power Minerals’ exploration model that positions the Santa Anna Project as a significant niobium and REE carbonatite deposit. Notably, some of the highest concentrations were recorded at the end of holes, indicating mineralisation continues beyond current drill depths. For example, drillhole MN-TM-02 was abandoned while still intersecting 1.47% Nb2O5, suggesting the potential for deeper mineralised zones. The company plans to follow up with deeper aircore and reverse circulation drilling to test continuity and depth extensions.
Strategic Importance of Niobium and REE
Niobium and rare earth elements are critical minerals with growing demand driven by their applications in clean energy technologies, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. The Santa Anna Project’s high-grade intersections position Power Minerals to potentially supply these strategic materials from a new South American source. The project also shows promise for gallium and phosphate, adding to its multi-nutrient potential.
Pathway to Resource Definition and Acquisition
Power Minerals is progressing towards defining a significant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at Santa Anna. The current 1,000m auger program, comprising approximately 60 holes, is designed to provide regular grid-based sampling data to refine the mineralisation model and support resource delineation. Concurrently, testing is underway to confirm the presence of ionic clay-hosted REE in the shallow weathered zone, which could enhance extraction potential.
The company has secured an exclusive option to acquire the Santa Anna Project from EDEM, with the acquisition contingent on due diligence and exploration milestones. Power Minerals recently announced its intention to proceed with the acquisition following successful due diligence, marking a significant step in advancing the project towards development.
Looking Ahead
With high-grade niobium and REE intersections confirmed in early drilling, Power Minerals is well positioned to build on its exploration success at Santa Anna. The forthcoming deeper drilling campaigns and ongoing metallurgical testing will be critical in validating the deposit’s scale and economic viability. Investors and industry watchers will be keenly awaiting further assay results and the eventual Mineral Resource Estimate, which will provide a clearer picture of the project’s potential contribution to the critical minerals supply chain.
Bottom Line?
Santa Anna’s early drilling success sets the stage for a pivotal resource definition phase and potential new critical minerals supply from Brazil.
Questions in the middle?
- Will deeper drilling confirm the continuity and scale of high-grade niobium and REE mineralisation?
- What are the metallurgical characteristics and recoveries of the ionic clay-hosted REE in the weathered zone?
- How will the acquisition process and regulatory approvals progress following due diligence?
