Summit Minerals Expands Anomalous Soil Footprint to 50% of Equador Area

• Soil anomalism now covers over 50% of Equador Project area
• New target identified in northwest Equador
• Extensive artisanal mining mapped at Equador North
• Geochemical signature suggests mixed-type NYF-LCT pegmatites
• Phase-two metallurgical sampling completed for processing development

Expanding Footprint of Anomalism

Summit Minerals Limited (ASX, SUM) has reported a significant expansion in the soil geochemical anomalism at its Equador and Equador North projects located in northeast Brazil. Recent assay results from Intertek Laboratories confirm that anomalous geochemical signatures now cover approximately half of the Equador Project area, an estimated 500 hectares. This expansion includes a newly recognized anomaly in the northwest sector of Equador, which has emerged as a promising new exploration target.

Structural Insights and Mapping Advances

Integrated structural interpretation combining aerial photography and field mapping has revealed regionally pervasive fault structures striking NNE and NE, which appear to control the distribution of mineralised pegmatites. These structural features provide a robust targeting framework for both Equador and Equador North, increasing the likelihood of discovering “blind” pegmatite bodies that are not exposed at surface.

At Equador North, the geological team led by Brazilian geologist Marcel Reikdal has completed reconnaissance soil sampling and mapping, uncovering a more extensive footprint of pegmatite outcrops than initially assessed. The presence of widespread artisanal workings further supports the enhanced prospectivity of this area, indicating historical recognition of mineralisation potential.

Geochemical Signature and Rare Element Potential

The geochemical data reveal a complex mixed-type pegmatite system exhibiting characteristics of both NYF (niobium-yttrium-fluorine) and LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) groups. The presence of coincident anomalies in beryllium, niobium, tantalum, lithium, and cesium, alongside mineralogical observations of beryl and columbite, suggests affiliation with the rare element class of pegmatites. These pegmatites are known globally as significant sources of critical minerals such as niobium, tantalum, and lithium, which are essential for battery and high-tech applications.

Metallurgical Sampling and Next Steps

Following a successful phase-one metallurgical test program, Summit has completed phase-two sampling, collecting approximately 500 kilograms of material from artisanal workings for detailed characterization and processing flowsheet development at IMO Laboratories in Perth. These efforts aim to refine the extraction potential and economic viability of the mineralisation.

Looking ahead, the company plans selective drilling campaigns to test the strike extent, depth, and widths of the identified pegmatite bodies. These steps will be critical in advancing the projects towards resource definition and potential development.

Management Perspective

Summit’s Managing Director, Dr Matthew Cobb, expressed optimism about the results, highlighting the expanded anomalism and the new northwest target as key milestones. He also praised the Brazilian team’s efforts in advancing both projects and emphasized the strategic importance of understanding the pegmatite types and structural controls to unlock the projects’ full potential.

Bottom Line?

With expanded anomalism and new targets, Summit Minerals is poised for a pivotal phase of exploration at Equador.

Questions in the middle?

• How will upcoming drilling results validate the expanded anomalous zones?
• What are the implications of the mixed-type NYF-LCT pegmatite model for resource potential?
• How will metallurgical test outcomes influence the economic feasibility of extraction?