Azimuth Drilling Yields Up to 3,971ppm TREO and 1,360ppm MREO in First Pass
Magnum Mining’s initial drilling at its Azimuth REE Project in Brazil reveals extensive near-surface rare earth mineralisation, hinting at a major ionic adsorption clay discovery with promising grades and scale.
- All 13 first-pass auger holes intersected REE mineralisation up to 14m depth
- Peak assays reached 3,971ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 1,360ppm magnetic REO (MREO)
- Mineralisation remains open laterally and at depth across an 85km geophysical anomaly
- Early test work suggests ionic adsorption clay (IAC) style mineralisation with simpler extraction
- Exploration acceleration planned with additional drilling and tighter sampling coverage
A Promising New Rare Earth Discovery
Magnum Mining and Exploration Limited has announced a potentially large-scale discovery of rare earth elements (REE) hosted in ionic adsorption clays (IAC) at its 100% owned Azimuth REE Project in Goias State, Brazil. The initial reconnaissance drilling campaign, comprising 13 auger holes at the Piracanjuba North target, has intersected near-surface REE mineralisation in every hole, with assays revealing impressive grades and a mineralised system that remains open in all directions.
The Azimuth Project covers a substantial 1,201 square kilometres along the Azimuth 125° Lineament, a major crustal structural feature known to host significant REE mineralisation. The recent drilling results validate Magnum’s geophysical targeting approach, which identified 19 high-priority targets based on airborne radiometric surveys.
Exceptional Grades and Scale Indicated
Among the highlights, assays from the auger holes returned total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades up to 3,971ppm, with magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO), including critical elements like neodymium and dysprosium, reaching 1,360ppm. These grades are comparable to or better than those at some established Brazilian REE deposits, such as the Serra Verde mine operated by Denham Capital.
Importantly, all holes ended in mineralisation, despite being drilled to a maximum depth of 14 metres, suggesting the REE system extends deeper. The mineralisation also spans a broad geophysical anomaly of approximately 85 square kilometres at Piracanjuba North, with drill spacing as wide as five kilometres still consistently intersecting REE-bearing clays.
Ionic Adsorption Clay Style – A Game Changer for Extraction
Preliminary metallurgical test work indicates the mineralisation exhibits characteristics consistent with ionic adsorption clay deposits. This style of REE deposit is highly sought after because it allows for low-cost, low-impact extraction through ion-exchange desorption methods at ambient temperatures, avoiding the need for complex and energy-intensive processing.
Final desorption test results are pending, but if confirmed, this would position Magnum’s Azimuth Project favourably within the global rare earth supply chain, especially as demand grows for critical minerals used in high-tech and clean energy applications.
Next Steps and Market Context
Magnum is actively considering accelerating its exploration program by adding more auger rigs, deploying vehicle-mounted augers, and potentially introducing reverse circulation drilling to better define the mineralisation profile and test for primary REE sources at depth. Drilling continues at other prospects within the Azimuth Project, including the Cumari prospect.
The discovery comes amid increasing global efforts, particularly from the U.S. and allied nations, to secure reliable critical mineral supplies outside of China. Magnum’s proximity to established REE operations and its large landholding along a proven structural corridor add strategic value to this emerging asset.
Bottom Line?
Magnum’s Azimuth discovery could reshape Brazil’s rare earth landscape, but further drilling and metallurgical validation remain crucial.
Questions in the middle?
- Will final desorption tests confirm the ionic adsorption clay nature of the mineralisation?
- How extensive and economically viable is the REE mineralisation at depth beyond 14 metres?
- What timeline and scale will Magnum adopt to accelerate exploration and resource definition?
