Torian Resources Uncovers Rare Earth Elements in WA

Australian junior gold explorer Torian Resources Ltd has identified a significant yttrium anomaly at its Mt Stirling project in the eastern goldfields of Western Australia that will add rare earth elements to its resource base. A kilometer-wide surface soil anomaly with peak yttrium of up to 521 ppm was identified at the project. The critically-listed rare earth metal is used in various technologies including renewables and electric vehicles.

A total of 151 auger vacuum drill holes were drilled in the Arktos Fault and adjacent structures at Mt Stirling as part of a broader gold search. Auger vacuum drilling is commonly used in the exploration industry as a first pass broad technique to probe upper soils. Samples were tested for multi-element anomalies, including rare earth minerals, which are key indicator elements in the search for gold.

The company's management said the focus on the presence of yttrium in surface soil samples was to guide auger vacuum drilling for gold exploration, and Torain said hand-held portable X-ray fluorescence, or "pXRF," analysis over a one-meter oxidation interval in the drill samples showed discrete yttrium-rich anomalies over a wide 1-kilometer area.

Torian uncovers rare earth play in WA image

Of the 151 drilled wells completed, 36 reportedly contained anomalous yttrium values greater than 100 ppm with a peak grade of 521 ppm. 170 one-meter intervals from 41 drilled wells have been submitted to the laboratory for multi-element analysis, including yttrium and other rare earth elements, the company further explained, and results are expected by the end of this month.

Torian Resources expressed delight at the possible addition of a rare earth project to the development plan for the Mt Stirling Gold Project. Supply shortages of rare earths are well documented and have led to significant price increases in the sector. These increases appear to be occurring faster than some of the more bullish forecasts of a few months ago.

Additional 5,000 meters of drilling is underway on the Mt. Sterling project to test high priority gold targets and also to gain additional insight into the scale and importance of the rare earth potential.

The Perth-based gold explorer also continued its dynamic 17,500 meter drilling campaign at Mt Stirling after securing the services of a third reverse circulation drill rig. The campaign is designed to test multiple regional high-priority gold targets, while also looking to upgrade the Company's existing 100,000+ oz Mt Stirling inferred resource to a higher confidence indication category, with an updated mineral resource estimate expected in the first quarter of this year.

Twelve more holes have been completed at the 38-hole Mt. Sterling project and drilling has begun at the Skywing gold target. The company said that assay results for the next set of meters have also been received in consolidated assays ready for release to the market.

Market observers will no doubt be watching closely for further news from the company as exploration results are released one after the other, and the potential of Torian Resources' Mt. Sterling rare earth elements may capture the market's attention for some time.

 

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