- Drill Hole HK22-020: 212 m of continuous mineralization at 0.7% TREO with 17% PMREO, with one metre samples up to 2.7% TREO(1) with 28.5% PMREO(2), and including 48 m @ 1.0 % TREO with 19% PMREO at the end of the hole, and open to depth.
- The 212 metre intersection in Hole HK22-020 is on structure, along-strike to the southeast of the 25.5 m @ 1.131% TREO with 18% PMREO intersected in Hole HK22-015.
Five drill holes were completed at Hecla-Kilmer in November, 2022, for 1,437m. The 21 drill holes completed to date are shown on Figure 1; provided are the key REE critical metal intersections which span an area of approximately 2 x 3 km in the western half of the multiphase alkaline complex at H-K.
The mineralization at South Rim with 2.7% TREO is shown in Photo 1; apatite veins associated with carbonatite dykes and vein breccia, in country rock that is 100% replaced by hydrothermal alteration.
The volume potential for this new, mineralized structure on the South Rim is illustrated in Figure 2, on a detailed magnetic plan map and cross-section through the 3D MVI magnetic inversion model.
Significance
Multiple zones. This is the second large area of > 1% TREO mineralization discovered at Hecla-Kilmer. The new data are from two holes on the South Rim zone which is located approximately 2.5 km to the south of the REE intersections previously reported for Pike zone, such as the 461 m intersection in Hole 13 (NR23-001,
PMREO grade. The consistent 16 – 28% proportion of PMREO in the TREO mineralization at South Rim is consistent with mineralization at
Lateral scale. Like at
Vertical extent. The veins and vein breccia with up to 2.7% TREO with 28.5% PMREO in Hole 20 occur within an intersection of 212 m of continuous mineralization grading 0.7%TREO, with the most intense polymetallic mineralization of REE + Nb2O5 in the lower 48 metres, and open to depth. This is similar to the intense REE mineralization at the bottom of the 461 m intersection in Hole 13 at
CEO Comment and Drill Core Photos from Hecla-Kilmer
From VR’s CEO, Dr.
- the scale of the hydrothermal system evident in drill core over an area of 2 x 3 km;
- the number of occurrences of > 1% TREO mineralization: at least four discovered to date;
- the higher-than-normal component of the high-value PMREOs, from 16 – 28% of TREO, and;
- location, both with regard to mineralization coming to bedrock surface at the base of till, and the location of Hecla-Kilmer, just 23 km from provincial infrastructure.
Consider that the South Rim is now the fourth area of mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer with grades in individual veins and breccia zones with 1 – 3 % TREO and containing 16 – 28 % PMREO:
- Photo 1 shows high grade TREO in Hole 20 on the South Rim;
- Photo 2 shows high grade TREO in Hole 13 at
Pike Zone , located 2.5 km to the north; - Photo 3 shows high grade TREO in Hole 17, located on a north-south structure west of
Pike Zone ; - Photo 4 shows TREO mineralization with magnetite in Hole 16 located on a major east-west structure that bisects the central core of the complex, in between South Rim and Pike zones.
The potential for each of these areas is two-fold:
1. Lateral continuity of TREO mineralization along structure, and;
2. TREO mineralization in breccia systems with no apparent limit to vertical extent.
Next Steps Planned for the
This REE critical metal discovery at H-K has progressed continuously since mineralization was first intersected at surface in Hole 4 during the first reconnaissance program in October, 2020. Since then, VR has expanded geochemical techniques to include analysis by lithium-borate fusion to optimize detection of all
- VR has commenced a study of drill core samples from Holes 13 and 15 using scanning electron microprobe (SEM) to determine exactly which minerals host the high value magnet rare earth elements. Results are anticipated this quarter, and work will be ongoing through 2023;
- VR has initiated the scoping for metallurgy and mineral extraction studies using a bulk sample obtained from core from a dedicated drill hole with a representative, broad intersection of REE mineralization starting at surface. This work is planned for the first half of 2023, utilizing the world-class REE expertise at
SGS Lakefield Laboratories inOntario .
Follow-up drilling is planned for the spring of 2023. It will focus on supporting the afore-mentioned advanced-stage studies at
Overall, the path forward for this emerging discovery is strengthened by its location, just 23 km to the west of the provincial hydroelectric dam at Otter Rapids, with supporting and active Ontario Northern railroad and
Technical Information
Summary technical and geological information for the Company’s various exploration properties is available at the Company’s website at www.vrr.ca.
VR submits sawn drill core samples for geochemical assay to the
Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101.
(1) TREO is the summation of Ce2O3 + La2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3.
(2) PMREO is the sum of high value rare earth oxides used in permanent magnet motors and turbines used in electric vehicles and wind turbines (Pr2O3 + Nd203 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3).
About the Hecla-Kilmer Property
The Hecla-Kilmer complex is located 23 km northwest of the
The H-K property is large. It consists of 224 mineral claims in one contiguous block approximately 6 x 7 km in size and covering 4,617 hectares. The property is owned 100% by VR. There are no underlying, annual lease payments on the property, nor are there any joint venture or back-in interests.
Hecla-Kilmer is located on provincial crown land, with mineral rights administered by the
About
VR is an established junior exploration company focused on greenfield opportunities in critical metals, copper and gold (TSX.V: VRR;
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
“Michael H. Gunning”
____________________________
Dr.
President & CEO
For general information please use the following:
Website: www.vrr.ca
Email: info@vrr.ca
Phone: 604-262-1104
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking statements in this release include those related to the company’s upcoming plans, such as “Data from the remaining drill holes are expected shortly”, and “VR evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis.”
This news release contains statements and/or information with respect to mineral properties and/or deposits which are adjacent to and/or potentially similar to the Company’s mineral properties, but which the Company has no interest in nor rights to explore. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on similar properties are not necessarily indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties.
Although the Company believes that the use of such statements is reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Company’s public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.
Neither the
Figure 1. Locations of the 21 drill holes completed to date at Hecla-Kilmer, plotted on a contoured RTP magnetic base map with superimposed 3D iso-shells from the MVI inversion. Key intersections for critical metal are highlighted for the first 19 holes for which data are received, with data from the two final holes pending.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc327cec-f138-44fe-86a5-6ca896e18eee
Figure 2. Drill hole HK22-020 plotted on the detailed, 2VD magnetic map derived from the high resolution drone magnetic survey completed in 2022. Note the strong correlation of mineralization in drill holes 015 and 020 to the northeast-southwest grain of magnetic gradients, providing a clear vector for follow-up drilling. High PMREO content is maintained along the trend. See Figure 1 for the location of Holes 15 and 20 relative to the entire Hecla-Kilmer complex.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/491d108d-253c-4c89-9b61-43b052cd8b67
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc1fefc3-1907-4356-ad4d-b647e2778ef3
Photo 1.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68e19ccd-4622-436c-b98b-7ac7f224656b
Photo 2.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e10ec0c5-0cb9-4d11-80ba-afa3e28bbf1d
Figure 3. West of
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ebc5036-c443-4fd6-bdeb-6b6196426521
Photo 4. Central core of complex. Photograph of drill core with 1% TREO and 19% Fe2O3 at 94m in drill hole HK22-016. This drill hole ran down the edge of the MVI anomaly shown in Figure 1 and will be followed up by testing the heart of the MVI anomaly. The REE mineralization is within an alkaline host rock that is completely replaced by a sodic alteration characterized by pristine crystals of hydrothermal actinolite and magnetite cementing relic nepheline and orthoclase crystals, themselves altered to sodalite.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd509769-d8dc-4793-a99d-6f342bcda03b
Figure 1.
Locations of the 21 drill holes completed to date at Hecla-Kilmer, plotted on a contoured RTP magnetic base map with superimposed 3D iso-shells from the MVI inversion. Key intersections for critical metal are highlighted for the first 19 holes for which data are received, with data from the two final holes pending.
Figure 2.
Drill hole HK22-020 plotted on the detailed, 2VD magnetic map derived from the high resolution drone magnetic survey completed in 2022. Note the strong correlation of mineralization in drill holes 015 and 020 to the northeast-southwest grain of magnetic gradients, providing a clear vector for follow-up drilling. High PMREO content is maintained along the trend. See Figure 1 for the location of Holes 15 and 20 relative to the entire Hecla-Kilmer complex.
Photo 1.
South Rim Zone . Top Photo: carbonatite dyke (phoscorite) with REE-rich apatite and monazite matrix, and small biotite phenocrysts at 166m with 2.85% TREO including 28.5% PMREO within 261m at 0.7% TREO. Bottom photo: core bench photo of carbonatite (sovite) dykes and vein breccia observed over tens of metres in HK22-019. This is the first observation of apatite (orange-pink) in a sovite (white calcite carbonatite) at H-K. This new occurrence of mineralized sovite is a proximal indicator to the intense REE mineralization in holes 15 and 20.
Photo 1.
South Rim Zone . Top Photo: carbonatite dyke (phoscorite) with REE-rich apatite and monazite matrix, and small biotite phenocrysts at 166m with 2.85% TREO including 28.5% PMREO within 261m at 0.7% TREO. Bottom photo: core bench photo of carbonatite (sovite) dykes and vein breccia observed over tens of metres in HK22-019. This is the first observation of apatite (orange-pink) in a sovite (white calcite carbonatite) at H-K. This new occurrence of mineralized sovite is a proximal indicator to the intense REE mineralization in holes 15 and 20.
Photo 2.
Pike Zone . Photograph of drill core with 2.2% TREO and 19% P205 at 219m in drill hole HK22-013. Rare earth element mineralization is amongst a myriad of carbonatite dykes (phoscorite and sovite) which themselves are cut by fluorite-rich carbonate veins. Protolith alkaline igneous rocks are completely replaced by a potassic alteration assemblage dominated by hydrothermal biotite.
Figure 3.
West of Pike Zone . Photograph of drill core with 3.3% TREO at 291.65 m in drill hole HK22-017 located half a kilometer southwest of Pike Zone . The high grade TREO occurs towards the end of an overall intersection of 287 m of continuous TREO + Nb mineralization. The drill hole is located on a RTP magnetic anomaly 200 x 700 m in size. The core shows aggregates of magnetite in a near total calc-potassic fenite replacement of the host rock by calcite, apatite, REE minerals (monazite & bastnaesite), and amphibole.
Photo 4.
Central core of complex. Photograph of drill core with 1% TREO and 19% Fe2O3 at 94m in drill hole HK22-016. This drill hole ran down the edge of the MVI anomaly shown in Figure 1 and will be followed up by testing the heart of the MVI anomaly. The REE mineralization is within an alkaline host rock that is completely replaced by a sodic alteration characterized by pristine crystals of hydrothermal actinolite and magnetite cementing relic nepheline and orthoclase crystals, themselves altered to sodalite.
2023 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source