Regener8 modelling points to rare earths carbonatite near Kalgoorlie

Several discrete magnetic bodies have been revealed by 3D magnetic inversion modelling over potential rare earths targets within Regener8 Resources’ East Ponton Future Metals project. The work follows confirmation of rare earths enrichment in historical samples from the Grasshopper prospect, with up to 1698ppm total rare earth oxides and elevated phosphorous, strontium and barium also returned – key pathfinder elements in detecting carbonatites.

The new geophysical modelling has revealed discrete magnetic bodies potentially representative of buried “carbonatite intrusions” that remain effectively untested. According to the company, historical drilling by AngloGold Ashanti/ IGO back in 2013 appear to have terminated early in the upper basement prior to intersecting the main body of magnetic anomalies.

Regener8 has plans for immediate drill testing of anomalies underway. Planning for the maiden drill program will include the continuation of work with the relevant Native Title party and applicable stakeholders regarding land access for the program.

The project area is 220km east of Kalgoorlie and significantly, East Ponton lies a mere 40km from known rare earth-bearing carbonatites within the protected Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve, namely the Cundeelee intrusion, the Ponton intrusion and the Ponton Dyke carbonatite. Mining giant BHP previously described the Cundeelee intrusion as the “largest, effectively untested carbonatite in the world”.

Old drill results within the protected Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve that borders Regenr8’s ground thew up some eye watering rare earths results including 16m @ 14.48 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO), 28m @ 10.50 per cent TREO, including 6m at an incredible 20.57 per cent.

Just down the road is the globally significant Mt Weld carbonatite intrusion owned by Lynas that houses a mammoth 54 million tonnes averaging 5.3 per cent TREO.

Interestingly, both the Cundeelee and Mt Weld intrusions display a highly magnetic outer zone surrounding an inner zone of lower magnetism. Regener8 has previously noted similar magnetic signatures are present in several of the southern anomalies on its Seven Sisters tenements just to the west of East Ponton.

Management’s recent deep dive into historical geochemical datasets revealed several promising signs for rare earths, lithium, gold and iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) mineralisation in its recently acquired exploration patch.

Regener8 reanalysed drill samples from shallow air core drilling in 2013 over the area by AngloGold Ashanti/ IGO at the Grasshopper prospect, which lies beneath a blanket of shallow cover adjacent to the nearby Cundeelee carbonatite and Ponton Dyke.

Results from the reanalysis threw up consistent figures of 896, 871, 820 and 757 parts per million TREO, peaking at 1698ppm TREO, with several tantalising assays showing the highest concentrations at the end-of-hole intervals overlying magnetic anomalies. Management suggests they might signify the distal alteration zone of a deeper, buried carbonatite system.

Southern Geoscience Consultants were tasked with collating and inversion modelling the aeromagnetic data over the Grasshopper prospect area at East Ponton and the resulting 3D models confirm the aeromagnetic interpretation of distinct, strongly magnetic bodies, which may well represent discrete intrusions within the non-magnetic country-rock.

The modelled magnetic bodies display significant morphological complexity with the tops at depths between 80 to 150m, with the south-eastern body which underlies the historical rare earths anomalism extending to greater than 1km in depth.

The company says this represents a compelling target that needs further investigation.

The modelled depths of the intrusions explain why the 2013 shallow air-core drilling did not intersect the modelled magnetic bodies as the maximum drilling depths attained were approximately 20 to 90m.

We’re encouraged by the detailed inversion models that confirm our suspicion that the targets still essentially remain untested. The smoke signals we are seeing from the work to date for Grasshopper for possible carbonatite intrusions are becoming stronger, and we’re looking forward to testing these targets as soon as possible. Regener8 looks forward to working with the traditional custodians of the land and relevant stakeholders to establish land access agreements over the coming months.

The historic drill results from the carbonatite in the nature reserve immediately to the north of Regener8 are pulse quickening and likely the highest rare earths grades ever produced in Australia.

The potential existence of another carbonatite just to the south on Regener8’s ground is equally pulse quickening.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au