Critica Ltd (ASX:CRI) has identified a large intersection grading 3,074 parts per million (ppm) in total rare earth oxides from resource drilling at its Jupiter target – part of the larger Brothers REE play in Western Australia.
Critica is carrying out the drilling with the intention of increase drilling density in the target’s high-grade zones, in order to strengthen confidence in the mineralisation there. The discovery of 67 metres at 3,074 ppm – considered ‘record breaking’ – validate the continuity of high-grade mineralisation at Jupiter.
Indeed, the infill drilling shows that Jupiter is host to large and consistent zones of rare earth mineralisation, with grades of more than 2,000 ppm TREO, with drilling density now at 250m x 250m in these high-grade zones.
Meanwhile, the target also appears to show low levels of uranium and thorium mineralisation.
The company is still to report assays from a remaining 163 holes in the drilling program, and it intends to build a maiden resource estimate (MRE) for Jupiter by year’s end.
Managing director Philippa Leggat said the results had built confidence in the target.
“We chose to increase drilling density in the high-grade zones of Jupiter to further improve confidence in the continuity of this mineralisation, ahead of our maiden resource estimate for the Brothers Project. This set of assay results have readily demonstrated this continuity,” she said.
“It’s also incredible to see our flagship project delivering another record-breaking drill intersection, this time being 67m @ 3,074 ppm TREO. This phenomenal hole (JPAC088) ended in mineralisation – even after using all drill rods we were still in rare earth mineralisation at 99 metres.”
Critica shares moved down following the news, and at 14:27 AEDT, they were trading at 1.1 cents – a drop of 8.33% since the market opened.
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