Enova Mining confirms significant rare earth mineralisation at its East Salinas Project in Brazil, with rock chip assays reaching up to 2.17% TREO and elevated NdPr oxide ratios. The company is poised to commence diamond drilling to test these promising targets.
- Rock chip assays up to 2.17% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO)
- Neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide ratios as high as 37.8%
- Multiple high-grade prospects, Naked Hill, Bald Hill, Hairy Hill
- Diamond drilling program of 10–15 holes planned to test mineralisation depth
- Metallurgical test work underway to explore low-cost processing options
Exploration Breakthrough at East Salinas
Enova Mining Limited (ASX – ENV) has announced compelling new assay results from its East Salinas Project in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, reinforcing the project’s potential as a significant rare earth element (REE) discovery. Rock chip samples collected across multiple prospects within the Medina Granitic Complex have returned Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grades up to 2.17%, with 18 samples exceeding 1% TREO. These grades are notable in the context of hard-rock REE exploration, where surface samples often serve as an early indicator of subsurface mineralisation.
Particularly striking are the elevated neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide ratios, reaching up to 37.8% of total rare earth oxides, alongside heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) concentrations up to 2,508 ppm. NdPr elements are critical for high-performance permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, underscoring the strategic value of the East Salinas mineralisation.
Multiple Prospects and Geological Continuity
The high-grade samples were collected from three key prospects – Naked Hill, Bald Hill, and Hairy Hill. Geological mapping and geophysical data suggest these may be surface expressions of a single, extensive mineralised system within the Medina Granitic Complex. This continuity enhances the prospectivity of the project, offering the possibility of a large-scale REE deposit.
Enova’s CEO, Eric Vesel, highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that the results “significantly elevate the scale potential of the project.” With diamond drilling scheduled to commence imminently, the company aims to test the vertical and lateral continuity of mineralisation, particularly in the saddle zones between the hills. This drilling campaign, comprising 10 to 15 holes targeting depths of 50 to 100 metres over a 4-kilometre strike length, is a critical next step toward defining a JORC-compliant resource.
Advancing Metallurgical Understanding
Complementing the exploration program, Enova is progressing metallurgical test work at laboratories in Brazil and Australia. Early-stage studies focus on gravity concentration methods following coarse grinding, aiming to identify cost-effective beneficiation pathways. The mineralisation’s amenability to low-cost processing will be pivotal in assessing the project’s economic viability.
Additionally, soil samples are undergoing leach testing to evaluate the presence of ionic adsorption clay (IAC)-style rare earth mineralisation, which could represent a complementary resource style within the project area.
Strategic Positioning in a Tier-One Jurisdiction
Brazil’s stable and investor-friendly mining environment adds a layer of confidence to Enova’s East Salinas development. The project’s tenements are currently held by Mineração Paranaí Ltda and are in the process of being transferred to Enova’s Brazilian subsidiary. Minas Gerais is a well-established mining hub with robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce, factors that support efficient project advancement.
Enova’s broader portfolio includes several other critical minerals projects across Brazil and Australia, positioning the company to capitalize on the growing global demand for rare earths and battery metals essential to clean energy technologies.
Looking Ahead
The imminent drilling program at East Salinas will be closely watched by investors and industry observers alike. The results will provide vital data on the deposit’s geometry, grade distribution, and metallurgical characteristics, informing future resource estimation and development strategies. Enova’s methodical approach, combining surface geochemistry, geophysics, and targeted drilling, exemplifies disciplined exploration in a sector where high-grade discoveries are increasingly rare.
Bottom Line?
As Enova Mining moves from surface sampling to drilling, East Salinas could emerge as a cornerstone asset in the global rare earth supply chain.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm the vertical continuity of high-grade rare earth mineralisation?
- How will metallurgical test results influence the project's processing strategy and economics?
- What is the timeline for completing the tenement transfer and advancing towards a resource estimate?