Power Minerals has reported strong final results from shallow auger drilling at its Santa Anna Project in Brazil, confirming high-grade niobium and rare earth mineralisation from surface to end of hole. The company has now commenced a 10,000-metre deep drilling campaign to explore and extend this promising mineral footprint.
- Final shallow auger drilling confirms high-grade TREO and niobium from surface to end of hole
- Notable intercepts include 5m at 1.40% TREO and 8m at 0.83% Nb2O5
- Mineralisation remains open at depth, prompting a new 10,000m deep drilling program
- SRK Consulting engaged to prepare maiden Mineral Resource Estimate excluding current auger results
- Drone magnetic survey and extensive sampling validate strong resource potential
Final Auger Drilling Confirms Robust Surface Mineralisation
Power Minerals Limited (ASX, PNN) has delivered the final tranche of results from its shallow auger drilling program at the Santa Anna Project in Brazil, revealing consistent high-grade concentrations of rare earth oxides (TREO) and niobium (Nb2O5) from surface down to the end of each hole. The program, which targeted the top 15 metres of a weathered, clay-rich layer, returned standout intercepts such as 5 metres at 1.40% TREO and 8 metres at 0.83% Nb2O5, underscoring the project's potential as a significant source of critical minerals.
Extending the Mineralised Footprint with Deep Drilling
Encouraged by these results, Power Minerals has initiated a substantial 10,000-metre reverse circulation drilling campaign aimed at probing deeper niobium-rich zones to the east and south-east of the initial drilling area. This next phase seeks to expand the known mineralised footprint beyond the shallow weathered zone, potentially unlocking a larger resource base within the alkaline carbonatite complex. The continuation of mineralisation to the end of shallow holes strongly suggests that richer deposits may lie at depth.
Towards a Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate
To underpin future development and investment decisions, Power Minerals has engaged SRK Consulting to compile a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Santa Anna. This initial MRE will be based on previous and historical drilling data, excluding the recent auger drilling results, which will be incorporated into a subsequent update following the completion of the deep drilling program. The company emphasises adherence to rigorous industry standards throughout this process, ensuring the resource estimate's credibility and reliability.
Integrated Exploration Approach Validates Project Potential
The shallow auger drilling results complement a comprehensive drone aerial magnetic and digital elevation model survey conducted over the entire project area. Together, these datasets have validated the strong resource potential of Santa Anna, providing a detailed geological framework to guide ongoing exploration. The project benefits from a strategic location within the Goiás Alkaline Province, a region known for its complex magmatic activity and mineralisation, further enhancing its prospectivity.
Looking Ahead
Power Minerals’ Managing Director, Mena Habib, expressed enthusiasm about the drilling outcomes and the upcoming campaign, highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing Santa Anna towards a significant critical minerals resource. As the deep drilling progresses, market watchers and investors will be keenly observing how these efforts translate into resource growth and project valuation.
Bottom Line?
Power Minerals’ deep drilling campaign at Santa Anna sets the stage for a potential leap in niobium and rare earth resource development.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming deep drilling results reshape the overall resource potential at Santa Anna?
- What timeline and milestones can investors expect for the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and subsequent updates?
- How might evolving global demand for niobium and rare earth elements influence the project's commercial viability?