Lodestar Minerals has reported high-grade heavy rare earth element assays up to 3.73% TREO from its Virgin Mountain project in Arizona, significantly surpassing previous results and highlighting its strategic potential in the US critical minerals landscape.
- Assays up to 3.73% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) with 64% heavy rare earth oxides
- Heavy rare earth elements include dysprosium, terbium, and lutetium
- Identified 5-kilometre mineralised structural trend with two surface exposures
- Mineralogical studies pending, expected in March 2026
- Drilling underway at Three Saints Project in Chile with assays forthcoming
Significant Grade Upgrade at Virgin Mountain
Lodestar Minerals Limited (ASX: LSR) has unveiled a major leap in the quality of rare earth element mineralisation at its 100% owned Virgin Mountain project in Arizona, USA. Recent reconnaissance rock chip sampling conducted in late 2025 returned assays with Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grades reaching as high as 3.73%, more than doubling the highest historic grades previously reported at 1.26%. Notably, these samples contain a heavy rare earth oxide (HREO) proportion of up to 64%, underscoring the project's potential as a source of critical heavy rare earths.
Heavy Rare Earths: A Strategic Commodity
The heavy rare earth elements identified; dysprosium, terbium, and lutetium; are essential for advanced technologies including electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, defence systems, and medical imaging. Their scarcity outside China has made securing independent supply chains a priority for Western nations. Lodestar’s findings at Virgin Mountain position the company as a potential key supplier within the US, enhancing the project’s strategic value amid growing geopolitical and supply chain concerns.
Structural Insights and Exploration Potential
Geological mapping and radiation surveying have delineated a significant mineralised structure extending over five kilometres, with two surface exposures identified 225 metres apart. This structural trend offers a promising exploration target, with the initial sampling validating the presence of high-grade mineralisation along this corridor. Despite limited outcrop exposure due to alluvial cover, the reconnaissance program has laid the groundwork for a targeted exploration campaign, including geophysical data compilation and fieldwork planned for the coming months.
Pending Mineralogical Studies and Next Steps
Mineralogical analyses are underway to confirm the nature of the rare earth minerals present, expected to include xenotime, monazite, and bastnäsite, which have established processing pathways. These results, anticipated in March 2026, will be critical in assessing the metallurgical potential and economic viability of the deposit. Following this, Lodestar plans to advance exploration with further fieldwork and eventual drilling to define the extent and continuity of the mineralisation.
Parallel Progress in Chile
Meanwhile, Lodestar is progressing its Three Saints copper and gold project in Chile, where diamond drilling is underway with initial assay results expected within the quarter. This diversification across critical and base metals highlights Lodestar’s broader strategic approach to resource development.
Bottom Line?
Lodestar’s enhanced heavy rare earth grades at Virgin Mountain mark a pivotal step towards establishing a critical US supply source, with upcoming mineralogical and drilling results set to define the project’s future trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending mineralogical results influence processing and economic feasibility?
- What is the potential scale and continuity of the heavy rare earth mineralisation along the 5km structural trend?
- Could Lodestar secure strategic partnerships or funding to accelerate development given the project’s US supply chain relevance?