Enova Mining has launched a major 198-hole auger drilling campaign at its Naked Hill Project in Brazil, aiming to map the extent of high-grade ionic adsorption clay rare earth mineralisation. Early results confirm strong recoveries of critical rare earths, underpinning the project's development potential.
- 198-hole auger drilling underway in three phases
- Strong magnetic and heavy rare earth oxide recoveries confirmed
- Saprolite-hosted ionic adsorption clay mineralisation mapped at Bald Hill and Naked Hill
- Integrated metallurgical testing progressing for selective REE extraction
- Brazil's stable mining jurisdiction supports project advancement
Resource Delineation Drilling Kicks Off at Naked Hill
Enova Mining Limited (ASX:ENV) has commenced a significant resource delineation drilling program at its Naked Hill Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in East Salinas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The campaign involves 198 auger holes designed to define the extent and continuity of saprolite-hosted ionic adsorption clay (IAC) mineralisation across key prospects including Bald Hill and Naked Hill.
The program is structured in three phases, beginning with 61 holes on a 200m x 200m grid, followed by denser infill drilling at 100m x 100m spacing. This approach aims to refine the geological model progressively, guiding subsequent drilling and supporting resource estimation efforts.
Encouraging Assay and Leach Test Results Reinforce Project Potential
Previous drilling at Naked Hill has delivered promising assay results, with intercepts such as 13 metres at 2,418ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) including 21% neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) from surface. Peak grades reached 12,732ppm TREO (1.27%) with 24% NdPr, highlighting the project's potential to host high-value REE mineralisation.
Leach test work on auger samples confirmed the amenability of the mineralisation to ionic adsorption clay extraction methods, with recoveries of up to 84.4% for magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO) and heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) across key intervals. These results suggest a viable low-cost hydrometallurgical pathway for selective REE extraction, a critical factor for project economics.
Integrated Metallurgical Testing and Geological Characterisation Underway
Enova is progressing integrated mineral characterisation and hydrometallurgical test work led by Brazilian specialist Alexandre Rocha Da Rocha and Geological Consultores Associados. The work focuses on understanding desorption characteristics, selectivity, and kinetics of REE extraction from the saprolite-hosted IAC mineralisation. This bench-scale evaluation will inform future metallurgical and engineering studies.
The company’s CEO Eric Vesel emphasised the strategic importance of rapidly delineating a resource at Naked Hill, noting that previous drilling and test work have demonstrated the project's strong potential. The ongoing drilling and metallurgical programs are key steps in advancing the project towards development.
Regional Exploration and Strategic Positioning in Brazil
Beyond Naked Hill, Enova continues regional reconnaissance, geochemical sampling, and auger drilling across its East Salinas tenements and adjacent projects such as Santo Antonio do Jacinto, Carai, and Resplendor. These efforts aim to generate new targets and satisfy exploration obligations, with results to be reported as available.
Brazil’s stable mining jurisdiction, particularly in Minas Gerais, provides a supportive environment with investor-friendly policies, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure. This setting enhances Enova’s ability to advance its portfolio of critical minerals projects, including rare earths and lithium, to meet growing global clean energy demand.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Enova plans to continue resource delineation drilling across Bald Hill and Naked Hill, using phased results to refine drilling targets and geological models. Concurrently, integrated metallurgical testing will inform extraction strategies, critical for project viability. The company’s broader Brazilian exploration program remains active, positioning Enova to expand its critical minerals footprint.
While early results are promising, resource estimates remain preliminary. The market will be watching closely for upcoming assay and metallurgical data that could materially influence project valuation and development timelines.
Bottom Line?
Enova’s systematic drilling and metallurgical work at Naked Hill is advancing a promising rare earth project in a favourable jurisdiction, but resource definition and extraction optimisation remain key hurdles ahead.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results influence resource size and grade estimates?
- What are the potential cost implications of scaling hydrometallurgical extraction methods?
- Can Enova leverage Brazil’s mining infrastructure to accelerate project development?