Dreadnought Uncovers Thick Rare Earth Carbonatite at Stinger Deposit
Dreadnought Resources has revealed a significant rare earth element discovery at its Stinger niobium deposit within the Gifford Creek Carbonatite, marking a new high-grade target in its Mangaroon Critical Metals project.
- 140m intercept grading 0.9% total rare earth oxides (TREO) from 307m depth
- Rare earth carbonatite mineralisation previously unseen at Gifford Creek
- Oxide weathering expected to upgrade critical metal grades by 3-6 times
- New fractionated barium-strontium enriched carbonatite zone similar to Mountain Pass deposit
- Ongoing mineralogical and metallurgical studies to refine resource potential
Discovery Context
Dreadnought Resources Ltd has announced a breakthrough from its recent diamond drilling program at the Stinger niobium deposit, part of the expansive Gifford Creek Carbonatite within the Mangaroon Critical Metals project in Western Australia. While the four-hole program was primarily designed to collect oxide mineralisation samples for metallurgical testing, one deep hole (CBDD011) unexpectedly intercepted a thick zone of fresh rare earth carbonatite mineralisation, a style not previously identified at this site.
Significance of the Rare Earth Intercept
The standout result from hole CBDD011 is a 140-metre intercept grading 0.9% total rare earth oxides (TREO) starting from 307 metres downhole, with a notable 24% of this TREO comprised of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), the most valuable rare earth elements for permanent magnets. This discovery opens a compelling new high-grade drill target beneath the oxide zone, which is expected to benefit from weathering processes that typically enhance critical metal concentrations by three to six times, as observed in other parts of the Stinger deposit.
Geological Insights and Comparisons
Mineralogical analysis reveals that CBDD011 intersects a previously unrecognized fractionated zone enriched in barium and strontium within calcite carbonatite. This geochemical signature bears resemblance to the Mountain Pass deposit in the United States, one of the world’s most significant rare earth mines. Such parallels suggest that the Gifford Creek Carbonatite complex could host similarly valuable mineralisation, reinforcing its status as a globally significant critical metals province.
Broader Project Implications
The Mangaroon project, covering approximately 5,000 square kilometres, is already known for its diverse critical metals endowment including niobium, titanium, scandium, and phosphorus. The new rare earth discovery at Stinger complements existing resources such as the Yin Ironstone Complex and the Star of Mangaroon gold mine, positioning Dreadnought as a multifaceted explorer with a growing portfolio of strategic minerals. The company is also advancing metallurgical and mineralogical studies in collaboration with the Australian National University to better understand the fresh and weathered carbonatite mineralisation.
Looking Ahead
Dreadnought’s Managing Director, Dean Tuck, highlighted the increasing commercial interest in the project amid a rebounding critical metals market. Upcoming updates include further mineralogy results, regional drilling outcomes, and an updated mine plan for the Star of Mangaroon gold operation. These developments will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to critical metals essential for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Bottom Line?
This rare earth discovery at depth could redefine the economic potential of Gifford Creek, setting the stage for a new phase of exploration and development.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing metallurgical testing impact the projected upgrade factors for the oxide zone above CBDD011?
- What are the implications of the barium-strontium enriched carbonatite for expanding the rare earth resource footprint?
- Could Dreadnought leverage this discovery to accelerate commercial partnerships or off-take agreements?
