Latin Resources makes rare earths find at Cloud Nine kaolin project

Latin Resources has confirmed rare earth element (REE) mineralisation at its Cloud Nine Halloysite-Kaolin Deposit in WA.

Geochemical analysis on <45 μm fraction samples collected from recent infill drilling showed widespread clay-hosted REE mineralisation up to 3617 ppm, 0.36% total rare earth oxide (TREO).

And results from 30 of the 78 samples submitted returned anomalous TREO concentrations of >1000 ppm, five have TREO concentrations >3500 ppm, with a maximum TREO value of 3617 ppm.

Latin Resources (ASX:LRS) says the results are encouraging and warrant further analysis to identify the extent of the REE mineralisation encountered at Cloud Nine.

High value magnetic rare earth oxides

Importantly, a large proportion of the TREO encountered are high value ‘magnet feed’ rare earths, magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO), which are a critical component of high-performance magnets.

The key magnetic rare earth oxides are neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) which form the majority of the MREO mix in the samples.

“These rare earth commodities are key components in the creation of permanent magnets used in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors, making them crucial for the ever-growing renewable energy transition,” MD Chris Gale said.

“These findings warrant additional evaluations to explore the potentiality of REEs within our halloysite- kaolin deposits at Cloud Nine.

“We see these early findings as an exciting step in further expanding Latin’s efforts to build projects to progress global efforts to net zero emissions”

Next steps

Latin has now engaged RSC, an experienced geological consulting service company, to provide an independent review of the REE data.

Additional samples will be analysed to define the extent of REE mineralisation and leach tests will also be performed to determine whether the mineralisation can be classified as ionic-adsorption-type (weakly adsorbed to the surface of kaolinite and halloysite) or whether REEs are related to other mineral species in the regolith profile.

The company says the resource estimate model can be rapidly updated with REE concentrations once further analyses are received.

This article was developed in collaboration with Latin Resources Limited, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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