In-Field Permeability Study Update
Cobra Resources PLC has commenced field trials at its Boland Ionic Heavy Rare Earth Project, emulating a low-cost in-situ recovery mining method. These trials, expected to last 7-14 days, aim to replicate permeability levels achieved in bench-scale studies, which previously demonstrated 66% Heavy Rare Earth recoveries in 17 days with minimal acid consumption at pH 3. Additionally, Cobra has executed a Deed of Assignment with the Barngarla Traditional Owners, facilitating the transfer of tenure for Exploration Licences 6742, 6774, and 6780, referred to as the "New Tenements." These tenements contain three key scalable Palaeochannel hosted Rare Earth Elements targets, and stakeholder engagement has begun to test priority targets.
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Cobra (LSE: COBR), a South Australian mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that field trials have commenced at the Company's Boland Ionic Heavy Rare Earth Project in South Australia, where tests will emulate the low-cost and environmentally sustainable in-situ recovery ("ISR") mining method. Furthermore, a Deed of Assignment has been executed with the Barngarla Traditional Owners, enabling transfer of tenure of acquired Exploration Licences 6742, 6774, and 6780 (the "New Tenements") that contain three key scalable Palaeochannel hosted Rare Earth Elements ("REEs") targets.
Highlights
- Infield trials include:
- Hydrological tests to evaluate aquifer discharge rates
- Tracer permeability testing aimed to demonstrate orebody permeability and connectivity
- Trials are anticipated to take 7-14 days where tests aim to emulate permeability achieved in recent bench scale ISR studies that achieved 66% Heavy Rare Earth ("HREO") recoveries in 17 days, with very low acid consumption at pH 3
- Deed of Assignment executed, assigning the Native Title Mining Agreement ("NTMA") from the previous owner to Cobra and enabling the transfer of tenure
- Stakeholder engagement process commenced to proceed towards the testing of priority targets: Head, Gillespie and Stokes
Follow this link to watch a short video of Exploration Manager Robert Blythman explaining the trials from the site: https://investors.cobraplc.com/link/P3j6xr
The Boland Project is unique when compared to traditional ionic clay hosted REE deposits as REEs have been mobilised from underlying weathered granites (saprolite) and absorbed to fine organics within the Pidinga Formation, a highly permeable paleo-sediment confined by impermeable clays. This unique environment enables controlled ISR, the lowest cost and most sustainable form of mining.
Rupert Verco, Managing Director of Cobra, commented:
"We are thrilled to be executing these field studies. This is a very important step in advancing the Boland Project, with this testing aiming to demonstrate the lowest cost and most sustainable method of mining. Should these tests be successful, it will be another significant milestone achieved in Cobra's strategy to be a resilient, low-cost, environmentally sustainable and ethical producer of heavy rare earth metals, Dysprosium and Terbium.
We are also very pleased to have a NTMA in place with the Barngarla People for the New Tenements, where we have demonstrated high grades and massive scale potential. We look forward to working in collaboration with the Barngarla People, the landowners and the Wudinna community to advance this significant opportunity."
Figure 1. Rendement Principal Hydrologist Ben Jeuken installing a downhole pump in the Boland Wellfield and the pump test currently underway.
Boland Project
Further information relating to Boland and these results are presented in the appendices.
Regional map showing Cobra's tenements in South Australia
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Appendix 1: Background information - the Boland Project and ISR
Figure A1: Comparison between the Chinese and the proposed Boland process for ISR mining of REEs
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.