How Encounter Resources Is Unlocking High-Grade Niobium and Copper in WA

Resource Growth at Aileron

Encounter Resources Limited (ASX – ENR) has delivered a robust quarterly update for the period ending 30 September 2025, highlighting substantial progress across its portfolio of critical minerals and copper projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The company’s flagship Aileron Niobium-REE-Copper Project in the West Arunta region continues to demonstrate impressive resource expansion, particularly at the Green deposit where infill and extensional drilling has revealed thick, high-grade niobium intersections. Notably, drillhole EAL961B returned 85 meters at 3.1% Nb₂O₅ within a broader 124-meter zone averaging 2.4% Nb₂O₅, marking the thickest high-grade intercept to date.

Further drilling east of Green confirmed a 1.5-kilometer extension of the carbonatite complex, underscoring the potential for additional resource growth. The presence of rare earth element (REE) fluorocarbonate minerals such as bastnaesite within fresh rock samples also points to promising metallurgical characteristics and a district-scale REE potential that could elevate the project’s strategic importance.

Yeneena Copper Project Advances

In the Paterson Province, the Yeneena Copper Project has reached a key milestone with the establishment of a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate for the Tyrell copper oxide deposit. Snowden Optiro Pty Ltd prepared the estimate, which reports 2.9 million tonnes at 0.79% copper, including a high-grade zone of 1.1 million tonnes at 1.27% copper. The shallow nature of this mineralisation, mostly within 50 meters of surface, offers attractive development potential.

Additionally, the Parbo copper system, extending over 8 kilometers, has been earmarked for follow-up drilling after identifying multiple high-grade copper zones. Drilling at the new Haddon target commenced in September 2025, targeting a strong multi-element anomaly coincident with an electromagnetic resistive feature in a structurally favourable position, reminiscent of other significant copper deposits in the region.

Lamil Project Uncovers High-Grade Copper-Silver

Exploration at the Lamil Copper-Gold Project has revealed a new style of mineralisation with the discovery of high-grade epithermal copper-silver veins. A standout intersection of 0.75 meters at 268 grams per tonne silver and 2.5% copper from 616.65 meters depth suggests a previously unrecognised target type at Lamil. This mineralisation lies well below earlier drill intercepts and remains open in all directions, indicating significant upside potential for the 2026 drilling campaign.

Strategic Geophysical Survey and Financial Position

Complementing the drilling successes, Encounter completed a 3,953 line-kilometer helicopter-borne electromagnetic (AEM) survey over the West Arunta province. This survey has refined regional structural interpretations and identified priority targets for both carbonatite-hosted critical minerals and copper sulphide systems, including the Scott and Juan prospects. The survey was co-funded by the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme, reflecting strong institutional support.

Financially, Encounter maintains a solid foundation with approximately $15 million in cash at the end of September 2025, supporting ongoing exploration and development activities. The company reported no mining development or production during the quarter, focusing resources on advancing its exploration pipeline and preparing for the 2026 field season.