Venus eyes drill campaign after positive rare earth samples

Venus Metals has confirmed the presence of rare earth elements at its Marvel Loch East project with results from rock chip samples returning grades of up to 4365 parts-per-million total rare earth oxides, or “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 soil and laterite sampling at Marvel Loch East produced impressive results including one sample grading an eye-catching 6092ppm TREO.

Venus says the 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.

The company says it is planning shallow air-core drilling to test areas of deep weathering and preserved regolith for clay-hosted rare earth mineralisation. RC drilling is planned to test the monzogranite for potential enriched zones of bedrock-hosted rare earth mineralisation possibly associated with stronger magnetic responses based on the results of the current aeromagnetic survey.

Clay samples were taken from historical drill spoil across the northern part of the target area at Marvel Loch East and have been submitted for diagnostic metallurgical tests. Clay-hosted rare earth deposits are highly sought-after due to the relatively cost effective and quick extraction processes. The operation comprises one granted exploration licence and an additional four applications for a total tenement area of 828 square kilometres.

Increasingly, rare earths have been garnering some serious attention in the markets owing to their role in the emerging green energy revolution. The rare earths-based neodymium-praseodymium oxide is a key component in neodymium magnets commonly used in smartphones, wind turbines and electric vehicles.

The Marvel Loch East project is not Venus’ first foray into the rare earths market. The company has had its shoulder to the grindstone after discovering multiple priority targets using remote sensed data at its Mangaroon rare earths project in the Gascoyne region of WA. Venus holds a host of projects ranging from its Bridgetown East project in the South West region up to Mangaroon in the north.

With plans already in the works for a maiden drill campaign at Marvel Loch East, Venus will be hoping its impressive run of samples will be backed up by drilling results.

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