Enova Mining has begun resource delineation drilling at the Naked Hill Project in the East Salinas region of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The work is focused on confirming the extent and continuity of saprolite-hosted rare earth element (REE) mineralisation.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
So far, 19 drill-holes, comprising 14 diamond and five auger holes, have been completed at the Bald Hill and Naked Hill prospects, with assay and leach test results previously reported for 16 of these holes.
The current programme is designed to include a total of 198 auger drill-holes, to be carried out in three phases.
Phase one comprises 61 holes drilled on a 200m × 200m grid. Phases two and three will cover the remaining holes using a 100m × 100m grid pattern.
Enova Mining is also conducting integrated mineral characterisation and hydrometallurgical test work to examine selective REE extraction options.
Previous leach test results from auger drilling at Bald Hill and Naked Hill confirmed the presence of ionic adsorption clay (IAC) amenable saprolite.
Reported recoveries include 43.2% magnet rare earth oxides (MREOs) and 38.7% heavy rare earth oxides (HREOs) over a 13m interval in hole EAS-AD-0001, with peak recoveries reaching 84.4% for both metrics.
In hole EAS-AD-0002, recoveries were 31% MREOs and 39.1% HREOs across a 2.5m interval from 4m depth, with peak values of 37.9% MREOs and 41.2% HREOs.
Mineralisation identified is within IAC REE-bearing saprolite over the Medina Intrusive Granite Complex, which is consistent with granite-derived saprolite systems.
Alongside stakeholder engagement activities at East Salinas, Enova carried out regional field reconnaissance, geochemical sampling and auger drilling across the East Salinas tenements, as well as the Santo Antonio do Jacinto, Carai and Resplendor projects.
Results from these activities are expected to be released as they are obtained.
Mineral characterisation and hydrometallurgical evaluations are being led by Alexandre Rocha Da Rocha and Geological Consultores Associados.
Enova Mining CEO and executive director Eric Vesel said: “Our focus is on rapidly delineating an IAC rare earth resource at the Naked Hill Project, starting at the Bald Hill Prospect.
“Previous drilling and metallurgical test work have demonstrated the project’s potential, and this programme will define the extent and continuity of the mineralisation.
“Resource delineation drilling and integrated mineral characterisation are now under way as we continue advancing the project.”
In February 2024, the company signed a binding option agreement with Rodrigo de Brito Mello, granting the company an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in the CODA tenements.
