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Highlights
- - Equinox Resources plans focused drilling at the Rio Negro target to enhance mineralisation understanding.
- - Gallium and bauxite zones identified in distinct prospect areas.
- - Strategic tests planned for mineral recovery and refining feasibility.
Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) has announced the next phase of its exploration at the Rio Negro target within its Campo Grande Rare Earth Project in Bahia, Brazil. This initiative aims to deepen insights into the ultra-high-grade rare earth zones hosted within the mineralised sill, a key focus of the company’s operations.
The planned drilling campaign will emphasize angled drilling techniques to optimize intersections of the sill at varying depths and orientations. This strategy is designed to refine the geometry, thickness, and grade distribution of rare earth mineralisation. A specific priority will be identifying zones with significant grades, such as the standout 7,890ppm TREO interval recorded in hole CG_RC24_005. Additional efforts will target similar high-grade zones laterally and at depth.
To date, Equinox Resources has conducted reverse circulation and auger drilling across 2,457.95 meters, covering 17 reverse circulation drillholes and 92 auger drillholes at Rio Negro. Preliminary results indicate promising gallium and aluminium oxide grades in the southeast portion of the prospect, distinct from the high-grade rare earth zones in the central east area. Together, these findings highlight the diverse mineralisation potential of Rio Negro.
The southeast region’s bauxite, enriched with gallium oxide, presents a valuable resource. The company plans to assess reactive silica levels and remaining aluminium oxide assays in early 2025 to determine the economic feasibility of refining these materials. Elevated reactive silica could impact caustic soda consumption during processing, but Brazilian bauxite is often beneficiated to reduce such impurities. These evaluations will help optimise refining strategies and confirm the viability of the resource.
Equinox Resources notes that the gallium and aluminium oxide grades identified are well-positioned to address global demand for critical and industrial minerals. The broader Campo Grande project area spans 1,800 km², with Rio Negro representing just a fraction of the potential mineral wealth.
Managing Director Zac Komur highlighted the project’s significance, stating that the exceptional TREO grades, combined with high-grade gallium and bauxite findings, underscore the strategic value of Rio Negro. He emphasized the untapped potential of the Campo Grande landholding, with exploration efforts poised to unlock further opportunities in the coming phases.
Equinox’s ongoing work at Rio Negro positions it as a pivotal contributor to the critical and industrial minerals sector, supporting global demand while enhancing Brazil’s resource base.
