Encounter Resources has reported significant new high-grade niobium and rare earth element intersections at its Green prospect, extending mineralisation over a 4km strike. The results support an updated resource estimate and ongoing project development in Western Australia’s West Arunta region.
- High-grade niobium mineralisation now extends over 4km strike at Green prospect
- Diamond drilling returns thick intersections up to 42m at 2.2% Nb2O5
- Rare earth element (REE) mineralisation confirmed alongside niobium
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) scheduled for Q2 2026
- Infill drilling to commence April 2026 to support development studies
Expanding the Green Prospect
Encounter Resources Limited (ASX, ENR) has unveiled compelling new drilling results from its Green prospect within the Aileron project, located in Western Australia's West Arunta region. The latest aircore and diamond drilling campaigns have extended the known high-grade niobium mineralisation to over 4 kilometres of strike length, a significant increase that underscores the prospect’s growing potential as a critical minerals asset.
Diamond drilling has delivered thick, high-grade intersections, including standout results such as 42 metres at 2.2% niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) from 35 metres depth, with a higher-grade zone of 6 metres at 5.1% Nb2O5. These substantial intercepts not only confirm the continuity of mineralisation but also provide valuable samples for metallurgical test work aimed at evaluating potential starter pit locations.
Rare Earth Elements Add Strategic Value
Alongside niobium, the Green prospect is showing promising rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, with aircore drilling intersecting zones rich in total rare earth oxides (TREO). Notable intersections include 10 metres at 1.4% TREO and 18 metres at 1.0% TREO, highlighting the prospect’s dual commodity potential. This co-occurrence of niobium and REEs is particularly significant given the global demand for critical minerals used in advanced technologies and clean energy applications.
The discovery of REE-rich fluorocarbonate minerals such as bastnaesite and parisite further enhances the strategic importance of the Green deposit. Encounter Resources is drawing parallels with the Mountain Pass deposit in the United States, a well-known carbonatite-hosted REE deposit, suggesting that Green’s margins could host similarly valuable mineralisation.
Advancing Towards Resource Update and Development
The company is on track to release an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) in the second quarter of 2026, incorporating the extensive 2025 drilling results. This update will refine the understanding of the deposit’s size and grade, providing a stronger foundation for project development decisions.
Infill drilling is scheduled to commence in April 2026, targeting the highest-grade zones to tighten drill spacing from the current broad 200-metre sections. This phase aims to enhance confidence in the resource and support ongoing metallurgical test work, which is progressing well with flotation, refining, and final product analyses expected in the first half of 2026.
Environmental surveys and development studies are also underway, reflecting Encounter’s commitment to advancing the Aileron project responsibly within the Parna Ngururrpa and Tjamu Tjamu native title areas.
Strategic Implications
Encounter’s expanding Green prospect positions the company as a notable player in Australia’s critical minerals sector, particularly for niobium and rare earth elements. As global supply chains increasingly prioritise secure and sustainable sources of these materials, the Aileron project’s progress could attract further industry interest and investment.
Executive Chairman Will Robinson emphasised the significance of the results, noting the broad extent of mineralisation and the ongoing efforts to accelerate project development. The combination of thick, high-grade intersections and emerging REE zones presents a compelling case for the Green prospect’s future potential.
Bottom Line?
With high-grade niobium and rare earth mineralisation now confirmed over an extended strike, Encounter Resources is poised to redefine the critical minerals landscape in Western Australia as it moves towards a resource update and development milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming MRE update impact the valuation and development timeline of the Aileron project?
- What are the expected outcomes and timelines for the metallurgical test work on niobium and REE concentrates?
- How might environmental and native title considerations influence permitting and project advancement?