St George Mining has announced a significant 75% increase in the Mineral Resource Estimate for its Araxá Rare Earths-Niobium Project in Brazil, reinforcing its Tier 1 status and underpinning future development plans.
- 75% increase in total Mineral Resource Estimate to 70.91Mt at 4.06% TREO and 0.62% Nb₂O₅
- Measured & Indicated resources surge by 218% to 29.49Mt, enhancing project confidence
- Resource remains open for expansion with ongoing drilling and new East Araxá discovery
- Independent JORC 2012-compliant estimate prepared by SRK Consulting
- Project benefits from strategic location near established niobium operations and government support
A Major Leap for Araxá
St George Mining Limited has delivered a landmark update to its Araxá Rare Earths-Niobium Project in Brazil, announcing a 75% increase in its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The new total resource now stands at 70.91 million tonnes grading 4.06% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) and 0.62% niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) at a 2% TREO cut-off. This substantial upgrade not only expands the resource base but also significantly improves the quality and confidence of the deposit.
Quality and Confidence Boost
Measured and Indicated resources, which are critical for underpinning economic studies and mine planning, have more than tripled, rising by 218% to 29.49 million tonnes at 4.56% TREO and 0.75% Nb₂O₅. This shift reflects the success of St George’s aggressive drilling campaign, which has confirmed historical data, extended mineralisation zones, and delivered new discoveries such as the East Araxá prospect. Notably, the East Araxá discovery and 44 recently completed drill holes are not yet included in this estimate, suggesting further resource growth is on the horizon.
Strategic Location and Tier 1 Status
The Araxá Project is situated in Minas Gerais, Brazil, adjacent to the world’s premier niobium-producing operations run by CBMM. This enviable location offers access to established infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and government support aimed at expediting project approvals. The resource upgrade affirms Araxá’s Tier 1 status among rare earths and niobium deposits globally, positioning St George Mining as a key player in the critical minerals sector amid growing geopolitical emphasis on secure supply chains.
Independent Validation and Technical Rigor
The updated MRE was prepared by SRK Consulting, an independent and respected geological consultancy, in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 Edition). The estimate incorporates data from 127 drill holes, including recent infill and step-out drilling, and employs robust geological modelling techniques. The resource is largely contained within 120 metres of surface, supporting the potential for low-cost open-pit mining. Additionally, an extra 24.56 million tonnes of niobium-only resource at a 0.2% Nb₂O₅ cut-off has been identified, enhancing the project’s multi-commodity appeal.
Looking Ahead
St George Mining is continuing its fully funded drilling program, with plans for another 50 drill holes in the coming months and ongoing metallurgical testwork to refine processing pathways. The company aims to convert more of the Inferred resource into higher confidence categories and advance economic studies that could pave the way for development. With the resource expansion and strategic positioning, Araxá is shaping up as a near-term rare earths and niobium development opportunity of global significance.
Bottom Line?
With a 75% resource increase and ongoing drilling, Araxá is poised to become a cornerstone asset in the critical minerals landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results from pending drill holes and East Araxá discovery impact the resource size?
- What are the timelines and expected outcomes for the ongoing metallurgical testwork?
- How will environmental and permitting challenges in Brazil influence the project’s development pace?