Eclipse Metals finds strong rare earth mineralisation at Gronnedal-Ika carbonatite deposit in Greenland

Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) has identified the potential for untapped rare earth mineralisation at Gronnedal-Ika carbonatite deposit within its tenements in southwest Greenland, with total rare earth (TREE) of up to 34,400 ppm recorded from grab samples. It has identified the potential for untapped rare earth, high-grade quartz, cryolite, siderite, sphalerite and carbonate material in the company’s Ivittuut project, also in Gardar Province. Europium, which is in extremely short supply globally, has been recognised throughout the carbonatite intrusion at several times greater concentration than average for rocks elsewhere and many times that normally expected in carbonatites. The carbonatite also provides a potential source for carbonate rock as a commercial by-product for neutralising acid mine and process water. "Excellent REE potential" Eclipse Metals executive chairman Carl Popal said: “The Ivittuut project continues to show the hallmarks of containing world-class mineral deposits. “These REE results show high europium values amongst other REE, which are in extremely short supply around the world. “Many of these samples were collected from the carbonatite in Gronnedal but the highly altered surrounding rocks also offer excellent mineralisation potential. “The results show persistent content of REE. Gronnedal-lka is known to have the only known carbonatite deposit proximal to existing port facilities within Greenland. “The carbonate body of 2-kilometre by 1-kilometre could provide an ideal lime and limestone product for neutralising acid mine and process wastewater produced by other miners in the Greenlandic region. “Overall, the results confirm there is excellent REE potential at the surface in Gronnedal-lka. “The REE prospectivity fits well with our mission to excel in the commercialisation of metals and minerals demanded in the production of green energy and required by the industry to reduce pollutants. “Historical exploration records indicate the potential for rapid development and production of cryolite, fluorite, quartz, REE, carbonate, zinc and siderite.” Assay results Documented fieldwork confirmed the presence of high-grade rare earth mineralisation over the Gronnedal-lka area. The mineralisation is more widespread than originally believed with significant exploration upside. The carbonatite complex contains a series of northeast, southwest trending late-stage dykes. These are potentially major sources of REE. High-grade mineralisation is also associated with different geological lithologies, which include the carbonatite, brecciated gneiss, calcite veins and magnetite rich zones. Europium identified The work also confirmed the whole intrusion contains europium with a peak value of 423 ppm europium in sample G11009. Based on the assay results for europium, the values occurring at Gronnedal-lka are several times greater than the average for rocks elsewhere in the Gardar Province. Some of the highest mineralisation was related to north-south carbonatite dykes and secondly the recrystallisation on the edge of cross-cutting dolerite dykes. These intrusive dykes are characterised by shearing and fenitisation and can be traced over several kilometres northwards. Other later stage dolerite dykes, which have undergone some remobilisation of magnetite also host REE mineralisation. More late-stage carbonatite dykes and fenites are known within the area but have not been mapped or systematically sampled. These dykes can reach up to 10 metres in width and run for several kilometres in strike. The magnetic zone identified by the company’s re-interpretation work has a strike over 4 kilometres with a width in excess of one kilometre. Generally, assay results greater than 4,000 ppm TREE are associated with carbonatites within the ovoid-shaped magnetic responses or lie on the contact edges of the carbonatite. Forward strategy Further work will concentrate on the main geological units such as the fenites, cross-cutting carbonatite veins, local variations of the magnetic content and banding within the carbonatite units. A systematic geochemical survey will also be conducted on a close-spaced grid to define targets for future drilling. Radiometric data is sparse but the available traverses show anomalous responses over the carbonatites. As radiometric surveying is an important direct detection tool for REE exploration, it is recommended that additional, higher resolution surveys be conducted over the project tenement.