Mining.com.au: American Rare Earths pinpoints ‘next generation’ resource potential

American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) is positioning the Bluegrass area at its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming as a long-term resource area with recent sampling suggesting expansion potential.

A total of 82 samples were collected by geologists from the company’s subsidiary, Wyoming Rare (USA).

Channel sampling at the Bluegrass target returned an average of 3,333 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO), with one sample grading as high as 7,112ppm or 0.71%.

The magnet rare earth oxides averaged 887ppm, representing 27% of the total TREO composition, while heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) averaged 334ppm, representing 10% of the total TREO composition.

Meanwhile, sampling at the County Line target returned grades averaging 2,246ppm TREO and up to 3,348ppm from one sample and elevated HREO levels of about 20% of the total TREO composition.

The host rocks at County Line also showed average MREO of 326 ppm, accounting for about 27% of the total TREO composition and average HREO of 202ppm – 17% of total TREO composition.

CEO Chris Gibbs says the most recent round of channel samples confirm that the Bluegrass area is a “key long-term resource area” at Halleck Creek.

“Whilst our focus remains on continuing development of the Cowboy State Mine independently, the attractive TREO grades observed at the Bluegrass area could supply rare earths for the next generation,”he says.

“At County Line, elevated heavy rare earth levels in dyke-hosted mineralisation are particularly encouraging and provide valuable insight as we expand our understanding of the broader Halleck Creek system and prioritise future exploration.”

The results from sampling will be used to support future geological modeling and drill targeting across the Halleck Creek Project.

Halleck Creek currently hosts a resource of 2.63 billion tonnes @ 3,292 parts per million TREO following an upgrade in January this year.

The Cowboy State Mine, located within the Red Mountain area, contains 543 million tonnes @ 3,438 ppm TREO.

American Rare Earths, which has a market capitalisation of $124.3 million, is advancing the Halleck Creek and La Paz projects to meet rapidly increasing demand for resources essential to clean energy, modern communications and national security.

Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au