MONUMENTAL ENERGY CORP. Monumental Minerals Corp. announced a maiden drilling program project at the Jemi rare earth element (REE) project in Coahuila, Mexico, about 40 km south of the Texas, USA border. Rock sampling across a broad area discovered high grades of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb), and light rare earth elements (LREEs) neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), all critical to permanent magnets for EVs.
Additionally, samples contain high concentrations of niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta). The exploration work resulted in the definition of 6 high priority drill targets. An extensive surficial exploration program was completed at Jemi, with the aim of defining discreet drill targets.
Exploration focused on the Jemi Dykes and Veladora North prospect areas within Monumental's claims, which host peralkaline intrusion-related REE mineralization. The work consisted of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and lithogeochemical sampling (see Company's news release dated April 4, 2023). Based on that exploration work, Monumental has planned an initial drill program consisting of 1800 m over 6 drill holes, targeting high priority targets.
All permits, land access agreements and drilling contracts have been obtained and the drilling program will commence the first week of July, 2023. It is expected to take approximately 60 to 90 days to complete, and assay results are expected within 6 weeks of sample submission to a commercial laboratory. The goal of the drill program is to define and delineate the source of REE-mineralized (eudialyte +/- aegirine rich) intrusive dykes and sills.
Dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3) and terbium oxide (Tb2O3) in surface samples within the priority areas that are classified as peralkaline (92 samples) range between 959 ppm and 4 ppm; and 147 ppm and 0.7 ppm, respectively. The average concentration for Dy2O3Â is 110 ppm; and the average for Tb2O3Â is 17 ppm. The magnetic light rare earth oxides, namely neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and praseodymium oxide (Pr2O3), ranged between 3173 ppm and 30 ppm; and 824 ppm and 8 ppm, respectively.
The average concentration for Nd2O3Â is 467 ppm; and for Pr2O3Â it is 132 ppm. These values are in trend with HREO2Â concentrations and the ratio of HREO2Â to LREO3Â is consistently on average 1:2, suggesting similar REE-hosting phases across the project. In addition to being REE-mineralized, the surface samples are also enriched with respect to tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb).
Assays for these critical elements in all samples from the Jemi project returned values to 976 ppm Ta2O5Â and greater than (>) 3576 ppm Nb2O5, with an average concentration of Ta2O5Â of 114 ppm and Nb2O5Â of 1114 ppm.
