Encounter Resources has reported further high-grade niobium intersections at its Emily and Green deposits within the Aileron Project, Western Australia, and commenced diamond drilling to test mineralisation depth at Emily.
- New high-grade niobium assays at Emily and Green deposits
- Diamond drilling underway at Emily to test depth extensions
- Green deposit infill drilling shows grades well above resource average
- 2026 drilling campaign exceeds 40,000m with 30,000m more planned
- Resource upgrades and metallurgical test work scheduled
High-Grade Niobium Intersections Extend Mineralisation at Aileron
Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) has delivered another batch of compelling assay results from its Aileron Project in Western Australia's West Arunta region, reinforcing the potential for a long-life, high-grade niobium operation. The Emily and Green deposits continue to yield thick, high-grade mineralisation, with new aircore drilling at Emily intersecting up to 7 metres at 3.1% Nb2O5 from 41 metres to end of hole, and infill drilling at Green returning standout intervals such as 19.7 metres at 5.3% Nb2O5 within a broader 92.4 metres at 2.0% Nb2O5.
These results build on previous strong hits, confirming continuity of mineralisation and expanding the footprint of near-surface, high-grade zones. The Green deposit, with an inferred resource of 19 million tonnes at 1.6% Nb2O5, is showing exceptional grades well above the average resource estimate, particularly within potential starter pit areas that could accelerate early project economics.
Diamond Drilling Commences to Probe Depth at Emily
To complement the shallow aircore drilling, Encounter has initiated diamond drilling at Emily to test how far the high-grade mineralisation extends at depth. The first diamond hole is collared near a prior aircore hole that ended in mineralisation with 15 metres at 2.4% Nb2O5, signalling potential for substantial vertical continuity. This drilling will also provide samples for metallurgical test work critical to refining future mining plans.
Executive Chairman Will Robinson highlighted the significance of these developments, noting, "High-grade niobium intersections at Green and Emily continue to build, with Green delivering some of our highest grades to date within potential starter-pit areas. At Emily, drilling continues to expand the footprint of near-surface, high-grade mineralisation ahead of the next resource estimate update, and these results support the potential to bring Emily forward in the development schedule." He added that with three rigs operating and a substantial drilling program ahead, a strong pipeline of results is expected through 2026 and into 2027.
Expansive Drilling Campaign Drives Resource Growth
Encounter’s 2026 field season at Aileron is in full swing, with over 40,000 metres drilled so far and a further 30,000 metres planned. The program includes aircore drilling to test new regional and near-resource targets, diamond drilling for resource infill and metallurgical sampling, and geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling to support development studies. This multi-rig approach is designed to rapidly advance the project’s resource base and technical understanding.
The company aims to upgrade resource classifications at Green through infill and extensional drilling, focusing on areas that could support high-grade starter pits. Meanwhile, Emily’s inferred mineral resource stands at 3.5 million tonnes at 1.9% Nb2O5 (1.0% cut-off), within a broader 14 million tonnes at 0.93% Nb2O5. The new drilling results are expected to feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate later in 2026.
Metallurgical and Environmental Work Underway
Alongside drilling, Encounter is progressing metallurgical test work and beneficiation optimisation to enhance recovery of niobium products such as ferroniobium and niobium oxide. Flora, fauna, and heritage surveys are also advancing to support forthcoming development approvals, underscoring the company’s comprehensive approach to project advancement.
The Aileron Project remains a standout in the critical minerals sector, with an inferred resource of 120 million tonnes at 0.77% Nb2O5, including a high-grade component of 26 million tonnes at 1.7% Nb2O5. Encounter’s ongoing drilling success and methodical development work position it well to capitalise on growing demand for niobium, a key input for advanced steel alloys and emerging battery technologies.
Bottom Line?
The depth testing underway at Emily and exceptional grades at Green could reshape development timelines, but true widths and metallurgical outcomes remain key unknowns.
Questions in the middle?
- Will diamond drilling at Emily confirm substantial depth extensions of high-grade niobium?
- How will updated resource estimates impact the project's development schedule and economics?
- What metallurgical recovery rates can be achieved from these high-grade zones to support production?