Sample program lights up Gascoyne rare earths for Venus

Venus Metals Corporation has highlighted a raft of high-priority rare earth targets at its Mangaroon North project in the Gascoyne region of WA following positive results from a recent reconnaissance field sampling program.

The explorer collected 299 soil samples and 84 rock chip samples in addition to re-analysing 66 previous soil samples with results showing up to 2136 parts-per-million total rare earth oxides, or “TREO” and 232ppm neodymium oxide.

Additional highlights include another sample showing 1848ppm TREO and 355ppm neodymium oxide the company suggests shows the presence of rare earth-enriched ironstones along a roughly 7km north-west trend.

The sampling targets were marked with multiple anomalies using a range of techniques and datasets including processed satellite imagery, geophysical data and geological maps in September last year.

In December the company conducted an aeromagnetic and radiometric survey across one of its Mangaroon North tenements with a detailed interpretation assessment of the ironstones and additional rare earth targets to come.

Venus says it is already planning a systematic grid sampling program at the site to be followed by a combined air-core and RC drilling campaign at selected areas.

The company’s four tenement package on the edge of WA’s Gascoyne region borders significant rare earth ventures held by ASX-listed Hastings Technology Metals, Dreadnought Resources and Lanthanein Resources.

Venus has had a positive start to the new year in terms of its rare earth exploration. Earlier this month the company confirmed the presence of rare earth elements at its Marvel Loch East project with results from rock chip samples returning grades of up to 4365ppm TREO.

The company recently collected a total of 38 rock chip samples and 93 historical drill spoil samples from the operation near Southern Cross in the Goldfields region of WA with one spoil sample recording a grade of more than 3000ppm TREO.

The technicians at Venus have analysed both the company’s own and historical Geological Survey of Western Australia samples with results showing rare earth element anomalies in soil, laterite and rock chips along a 25km strike length.

Assay highlights from samples in the eastern target area of the project include the 4365ppm TREO result whilst the western target returned samples up to 2292ppm TREO.

In September the explorer analysed both its own and historical Geological Survey of Western Australia samples with results showing rare earth element anomalies in soil, laterite and rock chips along a 25km strike length.

Venus says the positive results suggest the presence of rare earth elements-rich bedrock associated with prominent magnetic features. One sample found on and adjacent to the bedrock recorded more than 700ppm neodymium oxide whilst several other samples tested above 700ppm total rare earth oxides.

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