Narryer Metals Unveils Ambitious Exploration Target at Rocky Gully
Narryer Metals has outlined a substantial Exploration Target for its Rocky Gully Project in Western Australia, highlighting promising grades of scandium, rare earth elements, gallium, and potential titanium co-products. The company is gearing up for a new drilling campaign aimed at defining a maiden resource.
- Exploration Target estimates, 18-23 Mt scandium oxide, 26-33 Mt total rare earth oxides, 30-50 Mt gallium oxide
- Positive early metallurgical results support economic extraction pathways
- Upcoming aircore drilling at Ivar Prospect to advance resource definition
- Potential titanium co-product identified, expanding project scope
- Strategic location near infrastructure and critical minerals precincts
Setting the Scene at Rocky Gully
Narryer Metals Limited has taken a significant step forward in its critical minerals exploration with the announcement of an Exploration Target for its Rocky Gully Project, situated in Western Australia's Great Southern region. This project stands out for its unique combination of high-grade scandium, magnet rare earth elements, and gallium, all hosted in shallow, clay-rich regolith deposits. The proximity to existing infrastructure, including major highways and ports, further enhances its development potential.
Quantifying the Opportunity
The company has estimated a conceptual Exploration Target ranging from 18 to 23 million tonnes of scandium oxide at grades between 140 to 170 ppm, 26 to 33 million tonnes of total rare earth oxides (TREO) at 850 to 1300 ppm, and 30 to 50 million tonnes of gallium oxide at 40 to 60 ppm. These figures are derived from an extensive dataset of over 86 drill holes, complemented by geophysical and geochemical surveys. While these targets are conceptual and not yet classified as Mineral Resources, they provide a robust framework for prioritizing upcoming drilling and metallurgical programs.
Metallurgical Advances and Titanium Potential
Recent metallurgical testwork has yielded encouraging results, particularly in beneficiation and acid leach extraction techniques, including the use of methanesulfonic acid; a biodegradable and low-toxicity reagent. These advances underpin the company's confidence in progressing towards a maiden resource. Additionally, the discovery of significant titanium mineralisation, with grades up to 16% TiO2 in drill intercepts, opens the door for a valuable co-product, potentially enhancing the project's economic viability.
Next Steps – Drilling and Development
Narryer plans to commence an aircore drilling program at the Ivar Prospect early next year, targeting both the delineation of the Exploration Target and new titanium anomalies to the west. The program aims to convert the conceptual target into a defined Mineral Resource. Complementary bio-leach studies with European biomining specialists BiotaTec are also underway, exploring innovative extraction methods for scandium and rare earth elements.
Strategic Location and Market Context
The Rocky Gully Project benefits from its strategic location along the Muir Highway, with access to critical minerals industrial precincts designated by the Western Australian Government, including Mirambeena, Shotts, and Kemerton. This connectivity, combined with the project's low uranium-thorium signature, facilitates safer transport and processing options, positioning Rocky Gully as a potentially important supplier in the growing critical minerals market.
Bottom Line?
As Narryer Metals advances drilling and metallurgical studies, Rocky Gully could emerge as a key player in the critical minerals sector, but the path to a defined resource and economic viability remains to be proven.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming drilling confirm the scale and grade needed to define a maiden resource?
- How will the titanium co-product impact the project's economics and development timeline?
- What are the potential challenges in scaling the methanesulfonic acid leach extraction process?
