Encounter Resources Unveils Thickest High-Grade Niobium Intersections at Green
Encounter Resources reports record-breaking high-grade niobium assay results at its Green prospect, expanding the resource footprint and confirming the scale of its critical minerals system.
- 85m at 3.1% Nb2O5 and 11m at 5.5% Nb2O5 intersections at Green
- High-grade core expanded beyond initial 12.1Mt inferred resource
- Eastern extension drilling underway with assays expected November 2025
- Niobium-REE mineralisation footprint extended at Joyce prospect
- Ongoing drilling program with steady assay results through 2025
Exceptional Niobium Grades at Green
Encounter Resources Limited (ASX – ENR) has announced outstanding new assay results from its Green prospect, delivering the thickest and highest-grade niobium intersections recorded to date. Notably, drillhole EAL961B returned an impressive 85 metres at 3.1% niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) starting from 48 metres depth, part of a broader 124 metres at 2.4% Nb2O5. Another highlight includes 11 metres at 5.5% Nb2O5 from 74 metres depth in drillhole EAL948. These results mark a significant step forward in defining the high-grade core of the niobium-rare earth element (REE) system.
Expanding the Resource Footprint
The new high-grade intersections extend beyond the initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 12.1 million tonnes at 1.63% Nb2O5 and 0.55% total rare earth oxides (TREO) at Green, reinforcing the scale and continuity of this globally significant carbonatite-hosted deposit. The company’s ongoing resource definition drilling is rapidly building confidence in the deposit’s size and grade profile, with infill drilling enhancing the higher-grade zones that are critical for future development.
Eastern Extension and Joyce Prospect Progress
Drilling at the eastern extension of the Green prospect, covering approximately 1.5 kilometres, is advancing with assay results expected in early November 2025. This area is a priority for resource definition and potential inclusion in an updated MRE. Meanwhile, at the Joyce prospect, aircore drilling has extended the niobium-REE mineralisation footprint, with high-grade zones remaining open along strike. The 3-kilometre corridor between Joyce and Green is now a focus for follow-up drilling, aiming to connect and expand the mineralised system.
Sustained Drilling Momentum and Development Focus
Encounter is maintaining strong momentum with two rigs operating at the Aileron Project, including both aircore and diamond drilling. The diamond rig is also collecting metallurgical samples to support ongoing development studies, a crucial step towards assessing the economic viability of the deposit. The company anticipates a steady flow of assay results every two to four weeks through 2025, underpinning a dynamic exploration and resource definition campaign.
Strategic Importance of the Aileron Project
Situated in Western Australia’s West Arunta region, the Aileron Project is emerging as a significant frontier for critical mineral exploration, particularly for niobium and rare earth elements essential to advanced technologies and clean energy applications. Encounter’s focused strategy on high-impact discovery in Tier 1 jurisdictions, combined with its technical expertise, positions it well to unlock value from this large carbonatite-hosted system.
Bottom Line?
With record grades and expanding mineralisation, Encounter is poised to redefine the niobium landscape at Aileron.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the expanded high-grade core impact the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate update?
- What are the implications of the metallurgical sampling results for project economics?
- Can the corridor between Green and Joyce deliver a continuous high-grade niobium-REE system?
