Meeka Metals Limited announced ongoing high-grade rare earth assays from Circle Valley. Assays continue to confirm widespread rare earth mineralisation grading up to 2,439ppm TREO. Intersections up to 36m thick have been recorded and mineralisation persistently demonstrates a high proportion of the grade, up to 45% in these results, as valuable magnet rare earths.

The rare earths accumulate within the saprolite clay horizon creating thick, near surface mineralised zones below shallow transported cover. In addition, the depth of cover appears to shallow toward the west. The unique chemical and physical properties of rare earths have positioned them as a critical material across a number of rapidly evolving markets and industrial applications.

In particular, Neodymium and Praseodymium oxides, which are critical elements in the manufacture of permanent magnets used for electric motors, turbines and mobile phones. To underscore the geopolitical importance of rare earths, the Pentagon has recently urged the US Government to fund Australian strategic mining of materials used to make electric vehicles and weapons. This is in an effort to reduce US reliance on China for lithium, rare earths and other minerals.

Clay hosted rare earth deposits often enjoy significant project and cost advantages compared to hard rock deposits, with lower cost bulk mining and a simple process flow sheet. Clay deposits do not require the higher cost comminution and beneficiation processes that hard rock deposits require, resulting in lower capital intensity and lower operating cost to produce a refined product. The generally higher proportion of magnet rare earth elements (Neodymium-Praseodymium) in clay deposits also results in a high value product.

Additionally, clay deposits may not produce the deleterious tailings waste.