Brazilian Rare Earths Limited has unveiled new ultra-high-grade drilling results at its Monte Alto project, extending the mineralised footprint by approximately 350 metres and revealing a new parallel corridor of rare earth mineralisation.
- Drilling assays up to 35.3% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO)
- Wide, continuous high-grade intercepts confirming mineralisation continuity
- New ultra-high-grade eastern parallel corridor discovered
- Strike length extended by ~350 metres to at least 1.2 kilometres
- Critical minerals niobium, scandium, tantalum, and uranium co-enriched
A Breakthrough in Rare Earth Exploration
Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX – BRE) has reported a significant expansion of its Monte Alto Rare Earths Project in Bahia, Brazil, with drilling assays revealing ultra-high-grade rare earth element concentrations of up to 35.3% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO). These results not only confirm the continuity of thick, high-grade mineralised zones but also identify a new parallel corridor of mineralisation, underscoring the project's growing scale and potential.
Expanding the Footprint
The latest drilling campaign has extended Monte Alto’s strike length by approximately 350 metres, bringing the total known mineralised strike to at least 1.2 kilometres. This extension was supported by multiple near-surface intercepts, including a notable 9.9 metres at 2.5% TREO. Importantly, a diamond drill rig has been mobilised to accelerate exploration of this northern extension, aiming to delineate the underlying hard-rock system more precisely.
Discovery of a New High-Grade Corridor
Step-out drilling to the east of the established Monte Alto footprint uncovered a new ultra-high-grade corridor, with intercepts such as 9.8 metres at 20% TREO. This parallel trend remains open along strike and at depth, presenting a compelling target for further resource growth. The discovery of this eastern corridor adds a new dimension to Monte Alto’s mineralisation, suggesting a more complex and extensive system than previously understood.
Critical Mineral Co-Enrichment
Beyond rare earth elements, the Monte Alto mineralisation is enriched with critical minerals including niobium, scandium, tantalum, and uranium. Assays have recorded up to 10,498 ppm niobium oxide, 303 ppm scandium oxide, 612 ppm tantalum oxide, and 4,047 ppm uranium oxide. This co-enrichment enhances the project's strategic value, given the growing demand for these elements in advanced technologies and clean energy applications.
Robust Data Foundation and Next Steps
With 207 drill holes completed totalling over 32,000 metres, Brazilian Rare Earths has built a robust geological model underpinning the forthcoming Mineral Resource Estimate and a mid-year Scoping Study. The company plans to intensify drilling across the northern strike extension and the new eastern corridor, alongside airborne magnetic and geophysical surveys to identify further prospective zones within the broader Monte Alto district.
CEO’s Perspective
CEO Bernardo da Veiga described Monte Alto as “the most significant rare earth discovery worldwide,” highlighting the combination of scale and exceptional grades. He emphasised that the recent results materially increase confidence in the size of the ultra-high-grade mineralised envelope and its potential for further expansion beyond the current footprint.
Bottom Line?
Monte Alto’s expanding ultra-high-grade footprint positions Brazilian Rare Earths at the forefront of rare earth exploration, with upcoming drilling and resource studies set to define its commercial potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will metallurgical testing and processing flowsheets impact project economics?
- What are the timelines and hurdles for environmental approvals and permitting in Bahia?
- How might royalty and land access agreements affect future project development costs?