- White Cliff Minerals (WCN) “confirms” the presence of rare earths following a maiden reconnaissance soil sampling program at its Hines Hill project about 200 kilometres east of Perth in WA
- The company says 11 of the 81 samples collected are considered highly anomalous for rare each elements (REE), having returned total rare earth oxide (TREO) values above 300 parts per million (ppm) with a peak value of 550 ppm TREO
- White Cliff says the results are highly encouraging for a reconnaissance program and it is planning to undertake follow-up geochemical sampling work with a view to a maiden drilling program
- WCN shares 9.09 per cent higher at 3.6 cents
White Cliff Minerals (WCN) shares have risen after the company “confirmed” the presence of rare earths following a maiden reconnaissance soil sampling program at its Hines Hill project about 200 kilometres east of Perth in WA.
The company said 11 of the 81 samples collected were considered highly anomalous for rare each elements (REE), returning total rare earth oxide (TREO) values above 300 parts per million (ppm) with a peak value of 550 ppm TREO.
White Cliff said the reconnaissance results were “highly encouraging”.
The sampling targeted two magnetic features tentatively interpreted to be carbonatite intrusions, although White Cliff noted they may represent differential non-carbonatite intrusives.
White Cliff said carbonatite intrusive bodies were a major source of REE deposits around the
world.
The secondary source target was clay hosted REE from supergene enrichment within the lateritic profile over the granite.
“Clearly, we have work to do, as it is still unclear the precise source of the exciting REE results,” White Cliff Technical Director Ed Mead said.
“Australian Rare Earths (AR3) recently signed a JV at Woolgangie 200km to east of us, specifically targeting clay hosted REE sourced from the underlying rocks and supergene enriched by the lateritic process. The early indications from Hines Hill may indicate similar geological conditions and sources for the rare earths.
“(We) will fast-track a follow-up geochemical program for Hines Hill, which will include gaining all approvals for a maiden aircore drill program to test subsurface REE grades.”
The company said it was planning to undertake an expanded geochemical sampling program at the project.
WCN shares were trading 9.09 per cent higher at 3.6 cents at 11:31 am AEST.