Encounter Resources’ recent airborne electromagnetic survey has pinpointed promising new drill targets at its Aileron Project, including high-grade niobium-rare earth zones and a key copper-gold prospect slated for drilling in October 2025.
- Completion of 3,953 line km helicopter-borne AEM survey
- Detailed mapping of Green carbonatite complex with resource extension
- Identification of shallow conductors along major faults as niobium-REE targets
- High-priority copper-gold target at Scott Prospect confirmed for diamond drilling
- Survey co-funded by WA Government Exploration Incentive Scheme
A Step-Change in Exploration Targeting
Encounter Resources (ASX – ENR) has announced a significant advancement in its exploration efforts at the Aileron Project in Western Australia's West Arunta region. The company completed a high-resolution helicopter-borne electromagnetic (AEM) survey covering nearly 4,000 line kilometres, delivering a leap forward in the geological understanding and targeting precision across this critical minerals frontier.
The survey successfully delineated the Green carbonatite complex in unprecedented detail, including a recently identified 1.5-kilometre extension. This complex is known for hosting niobium and rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, both of which are vital for emerging technologies and clean energy applications. Encounter’s Executive Chairman, Will Robinson, highlighted that the Green prospect now serves as a powerful exploration template, enabling systematic targeting of similar mineralised zones along major regional structures.
New Priority Targets for Niobium and Rare Earths
The AEM data revealed shallow conductive features aligned with key fault systems such as the Elephant Island and Weddell Faults. These are interpreted as priority drill targets for near-surface, high-grade niobium-REE mineralisation hosted in carbonatite bodies. Encounter plans to test several of these targets with aircore drilling in the coming months, aiming to expand the known resource base and accelerate discovery.
Copper-Gold Potential at Scott Prospect
Beyond critical minerals, the survey also identified a compelling coincident electromagnetic and magnetic anomaly at the Scott Prospect. This anomaly lies on a major regional structure and is considered a high-priority target for copper-gold mineralisation, reminiscent of IOCG (Iron Oxide Copper Gold) systems. Scheduled diamond drilling in October 2025, supported by the WA Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme, will provide the first direct test of this target, potentially unlocking a new dimension to Encounter’s portfolio.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The integration of this new AEM dataset with existing geophysical and geological information is underway, with a focus on refining and prioritising targets across the project. Encounter’s approach reflects a broader industry trend of leveraging advanced geophysical technologies to reduce exploration risk and enhance discovery rates in underexplored terrains.
While no new drilling results are reported yet, the upcoming aircore and diamond drilling programs will be critical in validating the survey’s promising targets. The Aileron Project already boasts a JORC-compliant inferred resource of 19.2 million tonnes at 1.74% Nb2O5, underscoring its potential as a world-class critical minerals province.
With the West Arunta region emerging as a significant frontier for critical mineral exploration, Encounter Resources is positioning itself at the forefront of discovery, combining technical innovation with strategic government partnerships.
Bottom Line?
Upcoming drilling at Aileron will be pivotal in translating geophysical promise into tangible resource growth.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the October diamond drilling at Scott confirm the presence of economically viable copper-gold mineralisation?
- How extensive are the newly identified niobium-REE mineralised zones along the regional faults?
- What impact will these new targets have on Encounter Resources’ valuation and project development timeline?