High grade niobium, TREO and zircon identified at Yangibana

High grade niobium, rare earths and hafnium-rich zircon have been identified at the Bald Hill deposit within Hastings Technology Metals’ (ASX: HAS) Yangibana project in WA.

A recent geological mapping and rock chip sampling program at Bald Hill uncovered multiple carbonatite-related ironstone intrusions ranging from 100m to 650m in length.

Of the 104 rock chip samples reported on, 22% exceeded 1% niobium pentoxide, with a peak concentration of 23.69% niobium pentoxide measured.

More than half of the samples ranged between 0.25% to 8.91% total rare earth oxide (TREO), with an average grade of 1.21% TREO.

Around 9% of the samples depicted zirconium dioxide values higher than 0.1% and a peak measured concentration of 5.1% zirconium dioxide was uncovered.

Furthermore, 86% of the samples have a zirconium dioxide / hafnium dioxide ratio of 30:1, with an average of 13:1.

With minor changes to its current plant design and mine plans, Hastings can recover additional critical metals, including zircon and ferro-columbite, across Yangibana’s 17-year mine life.

Hastings chief geologist Dr Louis Schürmann commented on the results.

“The success of the geological mapping and rock chip sampling to the east of the current Bald Hill pit underscores the multi-commodity exploration potential that remains within the Yangibana project,” he said.

“Further mapping and sampling preparations are underway as a prelude to drilling at this prospect.

“Hastings is committed to expanding the portfolio of minerals we aim to produce with the confirmation of anomalous niobium, zirconium and hafnium concentrations associated with rare earth mineralisation demonstrating our commitment to realise greater value from the Yangibana project.”

An updated mineral resource estimate for Bald Hill will be released in September to include ferro-columbite, zircon, hafnium and rare earths.

These additional critical minerals will provide a multi-commodity recovery process stream and by-product credit income.

Geological mapping was also undertaken to the northwest of Bald Hill, with anomalous niobium also recorded at the Simon’s Find, Bald Hill South, Hatchett and Yangibana prospects.