Encounter Resources reports significant extensions of shallow, high-grade niobium mineralisation east of its Green Mineral Resource Estimate at the Aileron Project, with promising drill results and a major development program planned for 2026.
- High-grade niobium mineralisation extends over 400m east of Green MRE
- Infill drilling at Green delivers thick, high-grade intersections
- Near-surface mineralisation extended further east at Crean along Elephant Island Fault
- Upcoming assays and MRE upgrade scheduled for H1 2026
- Major 2026 field program to increase drill density and support development studies
Exploration Success at Green
Encounter Resources Limited (ASX, ENR) has announced encouraging results from its ongoing aircore drilling program at the Aileron Project in Western Australia's West Arunta region. The latest assays confirm the continuation of shallow, high-grade niobium mineralisation extending more than 400 metres east of the existing Green Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), reinforcing the prospect’s potential for resource growth.
Recent infill drilling at Green has delivered notably thick and high-grade intersections, including a standout 53 metres at 2.6% Nb2O5 from 43 metres depth, part of a broader 125-metre interval averaging 1.5% Nb2O5. These results suggest that increasing drill density could further enhance both the grade and thickness of the resource, a key factor for future economic viability.
Expanding the Footprint, Crean and Elephant Island Fault
Beyond Green, Encounter’s exploration has also extended near-surface niobium mineralisation at the Crean deposit further east along the Elephant Island Fault. This structural corridor, located approximately 10 kilometres north of the Emily–Luni–Green trend, is emerging as a significant mineralised zone within the project area. Aircore drilling here has intersected broad zones of niobium and rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, including intervals with combined niobium and total rare earth oxides (TREO) grades that underscore the potential for additional resource discoveries.
The Elephant Island Fault’s mineralisation remains open along strike, with Encounter planning closer-spaced drilling to better define the scale and continuity of these deposits. This strategic focus aligns with the company’s broader objective to delineate a substantial critical minerals resource base in a Tier 1 jurisdiction.
Looking Ahead, Assays, MRE Upgrade, and Development
Encounter anticipates a steady flow of assay results from approximately 50 additional drill holes at Green and Crean through January and February 2026. These results will feed into a Mineral Resource Estimate upgrade scheduled for the first half of 2026, expected to incorporate the latest infill and extensional drilling data.
Complementing the resource update, metallurgical testwork is advancing, with flotation, refining, and final product assessments planned for completion in H1 2026. These studies are critical to understanding the processing characteristics of the niobium and rare earth mineralisation, which will inform future development strategies.
Looking further ahead, Encounter is preparing for a major field program in 2026 aimed at increasing drill density, systematically testing high-priority regional targets, and supporting comprehensive development studies. This program underscores the company’s commitment to advancing the Aileron Project towards potential commercialisation.
Strategic Implications
Encounter Resources’ recent drilling success at Green and Crean highlights the growing significance of the Aileron Project as a source of critical minerals, particularly niobium and rare earth elements, which are essential for emerging technologies and clean energy applications. The continued expansion of high-grade mineralisation and the planned resource upgrade position Encounter well within the competitive landscape of Australian critical mineral explorers.
Executive Chairman Will Robinson emphasised the open-ended nature of the mineralised systems, noting that the edges of the carbonatite-hosted deposits have yet to be defined. This leaves room for further discoveries that could materially enhance the project’s scale and value.
Bottom Line?
With resource growth underway and key development milestones on the horizon, Encounter Resources is poised to advance its critical minerals portfolio through 2026 and beyond.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results impact the planned Mineral Resource Estimate upgrade?
- What are the implications of the Elephant Island Fault mineralisation for regional resource potential?
- How might metallurgical testwork outcomes influence the project's development timeline and economics?