Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

ECLIPSE METALS LIMITED. Capital/Financing Update 2023

Jun 20, 2023

64863_rns_2023-06-20_59d04d7a-909d-4971-b5c1-856c4a1f4bcf.pdf

Capital/Financing Update

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

21[st] June 2023 ASX Announcement

PROMISING MINERALOGICAL RESULTS AT GRØNNEDAL RARE EARTH PROSPECT, GREENLAND

  • Encouraging mineralogical determinations from Grønnedal

  • Composite ferro-carbonate mineral containing elevated medium to heavy REE

  • Grønnedal Pr+Nd account for 55% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd)

  • On-going assessment of material found over a wide area in Grønnedal

  • Located within the Ivigtût multi-commodity project in SW Greenland

  • Assays from drilling at Ivigtût project are expected this quarter

Eclipse Metals Ltd ( Eclipse or the Company ) (ASX: EPM) is pleased to provide an update on the Company’s mineralogical determinations and percussion drilling program for its Grønnedal prospect within the Ivigtût multi-commodity project in SW Greenland.

Ongoing mineralogical assessment of pink-orange mineralised material found over a wide area (1.5 km x 3 km) in Grønnedal , including scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination at CSIRO, has identified composite ferro-carbonate minerals containing elevated medium to heavy REE .

==> picture [278 x 253] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 1: Grønnedal surface sample shows pink/orange REE mineral. Visually estimated to comprise of ~25% pink-orange material and 75% iron oxides and oxidised carbonatite.

==> picture [195 x 256] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 2: 2022 Maiden drilling and sampling program at Ivigtût multi-commodity project

1

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Cautionary Statement

Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations.

Executive Chairman Carl Popal commented : “These initial results at Grønnedal are of great significance for Eclipse and follow up the sampling of drill core from the Ivigtût pit which also confirmed the presence of REE mineralisation. The REE prospectivity at both Ivigtût and Grønnedal aligns with our strategy of becoming a leading supplier of metals and minerals used in the green energy industry. Eclipse will continue to actively explore the historic Ivigtût pit and the nearby Grønnedal prospect during 2023.”

Previous ambiguous mineralogical determination attempts could not name the pink/orange coloured minerals containing these REEs with anomalous Pr, Nd and Dy content. Precise mineralogical identification is essential in processing REE and is an important step in prefeasibility studies.

The pink-orange coloured minerals were first submitted by Eclipse for mineralogical determinations in 2021, which initial assessment determined that there is a possible combination of several minerals. During 2022, an XRD assessment was conducted by the St Andrews University School of Earth Science which identified possible bastnasite and proposed further thorough assessment to identify the precise composite nature of the minerals (ASX release 1 November 2022).

Previous laboratory and pXRF assay results from Grønnedal rock chip samples using polished thin sections (ASX release 17 November 2021) and now Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) have confirmed the presence of rare earth minerals in three of the four rock samples examined at CSIRO. SEM/EDS (SEM with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) analysis of one sample returned chemistry corresponding to the rare earth minerals Parisite and Ancylite. These two minerals were distinguished by the difference in CaO values showing a composite mineral structure containing REEs with elevated Pr, Nd and Dy values.

2

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [367 x 275] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 3. Grønnedal trenching area marked in yellow.

Drilling and trenching at Grønnedal identified this material within part of a widespread dolerite dyke system intruding the carbonatite. Analysis of historical geological and geophysical work has indicated that the dolerite dykes are deep-seated.

Drill and trench samples collected at Ivigtût and Grønnedal in October 2022 are currently being analysed by a laboratory in Australia, with results due during the next few weeks. The laboratory has confirmed significant progress in its work with some samples exceeding the limit of detection (MEMS61L method). The Company anticipates assay results to be received by the end of July. To ensure accuracy, these samples will undergo further testing using the over-limit methods by the laboratory.

Grønnedal Carbonatite

Drill sample analysis using a portable XRF analyzer (pXRF) on five 1.5m composite samples from drillhole L3-9, returned an intersection average of 7.5m @ 0.8% La2O3+Ce2O3+Pr2O3+Nd2O3 (4REO), with praseodymium (Pr)/lanthanum (La) and neodymium (Nd)/cerium (Ce) ratios of about 1:2, plus base metal values of 0.49% Zn+Pb+Ni (Refer ASX announcement 28 November 2022)

Importantly, the pXRF readings suggest that Pr and Nd are significantly enriched in drillhole L3-9 compared to La and Ce , an observation that is consistent with academic studies as well as laboratory results received previously (Refer ASX announcement 28 November 2022).

3

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Previous laboratory and pXRF assay results from Grønnedal rock chip samples

  • On 17[th] November 2021, the Company reported pXRF results indicating potentially significant rare ‐ earth element content. Subsequent laboratory results from samples tested by pXRF confirmed significant 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd) (reported on 9 March 2022).

  • On 22[nd ] November 2021, Eclipse reported laboratory assays from historical Grønnedal drill core sample IVT 21-4, which yielded 2.1% TREO, including 0.12% Pr2O3 and 0.46% Zn.

  • On 9[th] March 2022, the Company reported highly anomalous heavy REE laboratory assay results for six rock chip samples (G21010, G21011, G21014, G21016, G21017 and G21019), demonstrating that the Grønnedal carbonatite complex is – at least in part – enriched in Pr and Nd.

  • On 24[th] March 2022, Eclipse reported the final laboratory assay results for the above samples with G21016 having returned 4.66% TREO, 0.13% Gd2O3 and 3.3% BaO, and sample G21011, collected from an aplite cutting the Grønnedal complex, returned analyses of 0.93% Nb2O5, 0.07% Rb2O and 1.77% ZrO2.

Discussion

Overall, analysis of the Grønnedal rock chip samples demonstrated unusual patterns for Pr/La and Nd/Ce ratios compared with other REE-mineralised carbonatite complexes such as Mountain Pass (California) and Mt Weld (Western Australia).

Lower La and Ce content measured by pXRF, if confirmed by laboratory assay results across the Grønnedal complex or a significant part thereof, would indicate that REE mineralisation at Grønnedal contains a higher proportion of the commercially more valuable magnetic REE, Pr and Nd. The latter are often termed the ‘magnet feed’ REE which are critical elements for high-performance magnets in high demand from the automotive sector and for wind turbines.

More specifically, pXRF readings and laboratory assay results recorded thus far show a relatively large proportion of Pr and Nd, comprising up to 55% of the measured 4REE.

This can be compared with other rare earth deposits:

i) Grønnedal Pr+Nd: 55% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd) ii) Mountain Pass Pr+Nd: 17% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd) iii) Mount Weld CLD Pr+Nd: 25% of the measured 4REE (La+Ce+Pr+Nd)

* Reference: Technology Metals Research, TMR (2015)

Such a difference in composition for the project could have positive implications for the so-called “basket price”. The basket price is described as the sum of proportions of individual REOs in the product multiplied by the price of the individual REOs.

4

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [384 x 457] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 4. MEL 2007-45 Location Map, showing the geology of the Grønnedal covering nepheline syenite with a carbonatite plug.

Authorised for release by the Board of Eclipse Metals Ltd.

Carl Popal Aiden Bradley Executive Chairman Investor Relations [email protected]

==> picture [25 x 22] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [22 x 22] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [22 x 22] intentionally omitted <==

5

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [230 x 361] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 5. Greenland REE Deposits and location of Grønnedal and Ivigtût

About Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX: EPM)

Eclipse Metals Ltd is an Australian exploration company focused on mineral exploration in South-western Greenland, Northern Territory and Queensland for multi commodity mineralisation. Eclipse Metals Ltd has an impressive portfolio of assets prospective for cryolite, fluorite, siderite, quartz, REE, gold, platinum group metals, manganese, palladium, vanadium and uranium mineralisation. The Company’s mission is to increase shareholders’ wealth through capital growth and ultimately dividends. Eclipse Metals Ltd plans to achieve this goal by exploring for and developing viable mineral deposits to generate mining or joint venture incomes.

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this report / ASX release that relates to Exploration Results and Exploration Targets is based on information compiled and reviewed by Mr. Rodney Dale, Non-Executive Director of Eclipse Metals Ltd. Mr. Dale holds a Fellowship Diploma in Geology from RMIT, is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM) and has sufficient experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation under consideration and to the activity being reported to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Dale consents to the inclusion in this report / ASX release of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Additionally, Mr Dale confirms that the entity is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information contained in the ASX releases referred to in this report.

6

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
Sampling Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut Grønnedal carbonatite samples
techniques channels, random chips, or specific represent outcropping rock
specialised industry standard
measurement tools appropriate to the
minerals under investigation, such as
down hole gamma sondes, or handheld
XRF instruments, etc). These examples
formations; qualitative only.
Initial field tests by hand-held XRF
assumed to be indicative only.
Instrument not calibrated.
should not be taken as limiting the broad Chemical analyses to assess levels
meaning of sampling. of elements contained, not for ore-
Include reference to measures taken to
ensure sample representivity and the
grade estimates.
appropriate calibration of any
measurement tools or systems used.
Aspects of the determination of
mineralisation that are Material to the
Public Report.
In cases where ‘industry standard’ work
has been done this would be relatively
simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling
was used to obtain 1 m samples from
which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a
30 g charge for fire assay’). In other
cases more explanation may be
required, such as where there is coarse
gold that has inherent sampling
problems. Unusual commodities or
mineralisation types (eg submarine
nodules) may warrant disclosure of
detailed information.
Drilling Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, •No drilling was undertaken as part of the
techniques open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, grab sampling program.
auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details
(eg core diameter, triple or standard
tube, depth of diamond tails, face-
sampling bit or other type, whether core
is oriented and if so, by what method,
_etc). _
Drill Method of recording and assessing core •No drilling was undertaken as part of this
sample and chip sample recoveries and results grab sampling program.
recovery assessed.
Measures taken to maximise sample
recovery and ensure representative
nature of the samples.
Whether a relationship exists between
sample recovery and grade and whether
sample bias may have occurred due to
preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse
material.

7

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Logging Whether core and chip samples have •Samples geologically logged before
been geologically and geotechnically submission for analysis for identification
logged to a level of detail to support only. Not quantitative.
appropriate Mineral Resource
estimation, mining studies and
metallurgical studies.
Whether logging is qualitative or
quantitative in nature. Core (or costean,
channel, etc) photography.
The total length and percentage of the
_relevant intersections logged. _
Sub- If core, whether cut or sawn and whether
•Samples for geological determination
sampling quarter, half or all core taken. and identification only. Not quantitative.
techniques
If non-core, whether riffled, tube
•No duplicates collected or determined.
and sample
sampled, rotary split, etc and whether
preparation sampled wet or dry.
For all sample types, the nature, quality
and appropriateness of the sample
preparation technique.
Quality control procedures adopted for
all sub-sampling stages to maximise
representivity of samples.
Measures taken to ensure that the
sampling is representative of the in situ
material collected, including for instance
results for field duplicate/second-half
sampling.
Whether sample sizes are appropriate to
the grain size of the material being
sampled.
Quality of The nature, quality and appropriateness •Diamantina Laboratories, Report 24693,
assay data of the assaying and laboratory SEM Analysis for Rare Earths in Rock
and procedures used and whether the Sample #2.
laboratory technique is considered partial or total. •No new laboratory results reported.
tests For geophysical tools, spectrometers, Previous reports cited-
handheld XRF instruments, etc, the •Standard laboratory procedures for
parameters used in determining the sample preparation, elemental
analysis including instrument make and determination, QA / QC.
model, reading times, calibrations factors
•XRF instrument used only to select
applied and their derivation, etc. mineralised samples for shipment to
Nature of quality control procedures reduce quantity and weight of samples
adopted (eg standards, blanks, sent from Greenland to Australia.
duplicates, external laboratory checks) •Standard laboratory procedures with
and whether acceptable levels of blanks and duplicates. No external
accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision laboratory checks warranted at this
have been established. stage.
Verification
The verification of significant
•No drilling was undertaken as part of this
of intersections by either independent or grab sampling program.
sampling alternative company personnel.
and The use of twinned holes.
assaying Documentation of primary data, data
entry procedures, data verification, data

8

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
storage (physical and electronic)
protocols.
• _Discuss any adjustment to assay data. _
Location of
Accuracy and quality of surveys used to
•Handheld GPS locations:-
data points
locate drill holes (collar and down-hole
Grønnedal – within 100m of 658880mE :
surveys), trenches, mine workings and 6791300mN.
other locations used in Mineral Resource
No grid. Handheld GPS only and
estimation. correlation with hard-copy maps.
Specification of the grid system used.
Quality and adequacy of topographic
control.
Data Data spacing for reporting of Exploration •Grab samples were collected at random
spacing Results. sites, determined by outcrop availability.
and Whether the data spacing and •No assumption of continuity or resource
distribution
distribution is sufficient to establish the
estimation.
degree of geological and grade •Samples not composited.
continuity appropriate for the Mineral
Resource and Ore Reserve estimation
procedure(s) and classifications applied.
Whether sample compositing has been
_applied. _
Orientation
Whether the orientation of sampling
•No drilling was undertaken as part of this
of data in achieves unbiased sampling of possible grab sampling program.
relation to structures and the extent to which this is
geological known, considering the deposit type.
structure If the relationship between the drilling
orientation and the orientation of key
mineralised structures is considered to
have introduced a sampling bias, this
should be assessed and reported if
material.
Sample The measures taken to ensure sample •Samples secured on-site and
security security. transported by airline to Australia under
normalsecurity procedures.
Audits or The results of any audits or reviews of •No audits have been completed yet.
reviews sampling techniques and data.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Mineral Type, reference name/number, location
•MEL 2007 / 45 granted to Eclipse
tenement and and ownership including agreements or
Metals in February 2021 for a period of
land tenure material issues with third parties such 3 years with extensions subject to
status as joint ventures, partnerships, activities and expenditure.
overriding royalties, native title •Granted by Government of Greenland.
interests, historical sites, wilderness or
national park and environmental
settings.
The security of the tenure held at the
time of reporting along with any known
impediments to obtaining a licence to

9

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
_operate inthe area. _
Exploration Acknowledgment and appraisal of GEUS Report File No. 20236
done by other
exploration by other parties.
The Planning of the Ivigtût Open Pit of
parties Kryolitselskabet Oresund A/S - Mining of
the Flouritic Orebody”; Outokompu OY
Mining Consultants, 1987. This report
provided 18 cross sections showing drill
traces with cryolite (kry), fluorite (fs) and
siderite (sid) values together with pit
profiles, resource blocks and tabulated
tonnage estimates on each section with an
SG of 2.95.
GEUS Report File No. 20238
“The Planning of the Ivigtût Open Pit of
Kryolitselskabet Oresund A/S – Report of
the First Phase, Investigation of the
Quantity and Quality of Extractable Ore
from the Ivigtût Open Pit”; Outokompu OY
Mining Consultants, 1986. This report
contained 23 sections showing drillhole
traces
and
contoured
cryolite/fluorite
grades with an overlay of resource blocks.
These sections were used to check
positions of drillholes relative to those
shown in the above report (GEUS 20236).
Resource tonnages are provided.
GEUS Report File No. 20335
Kryolitselskabet
Oresund
A/S,
De
Resterende
Mineralreserver
I
Kryolitforekomsten Ved Ivigtût, Ultimo
1987” This report is the most useful of the
reports. It provides: - Drillhole location plan
- Complete cross section locations - Pit
survey points - Plans of underground and
in-pit ramp - 38 cross section showing
drillhole traces, geological interpretation
and ore blocks - Tabulated ore blocks with
cryolite, fluorite and siderite grades and
tonnages (back-calculated blanket SG of 3)
GEUS Report File No. 21549
“Ivigtût Mineopmaaling, 1962” This report is
a survey record of the open pit and includes
28 sections, each of which show the pit
profile together with drillhole traces and, on
some sections, underground workings.
GEUS Report File No. 20241
Kryolitselskabet Oresund A/S,
Lodighedsdistribution I, Ivigtût Kryolitbrud,
31.12.1985” (Danish) 108 pages of
drillhole analyticaldatain%: holeID,from

10

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
to, cryolite, fluorspar, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, S
Geology Deposit type, geological setting and •Late stage granitic / syenitic /
style of mineralisation. carbonatite intrusions into crystalline
basement.
Drill hole A summary of all information material •No drilling was undertaken as part of
Information to the understanding of the exploration this grab sampling program.
results including a tabulation of the
following information for all Material drill
holes:
o easting and northing of the drill hole
collar
o elevation or RL (Reduced Level –
elevation above sea level in metres)
of the drill hole collar
o dip and azimuth of the hole
o down hole length and interception
depth
o hole length.
If the exclusion of this information is
justified on the basis that the
information is not Material and this
exclusion does not detract from the
understanding of the report, the
Competent Person should clearly
_explain why this is the case. _
Data In reporting Exploration Results, •No drilling was undertaken as part of
aggregation weighting averaging techniques, this grab sampling program.
methods maximum and/or minimum grade
truncations (eg cutting of high grades)
and cut-off grades are usually Material
and should be stated.
Where aggregate intercepts
incorporate short lengths of high grade
results and longer lengths of low grade
results, the procedure used for such
aggregation should be stated and some
typical examples of such aggregations
should be shown in detail.
The assumptions used for any
reporting of metal equivalent values
_should be clearly stated. _
Relationship These relationships are particularly •No drilling was undertaken as part of
between important in the reporting of Exploration
this grab sampling program.
mineralisation
Results.
widths and If the geometry of the mineralisation
intercept with respect to the drill hole angle is
lengths known, its nature should be reported.
If it is not known and only the down
hole lengths are reported, there should
be a clear statement to this effect (eg
‘down hole length, true width not
_known’). _

11

==> picture [183 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with •Appropriate maps are provided in the
scales) and tabulations of intercepts body of the text.
should be included for any significant
discovery being reported These should
include, but not be limited to a plan
view of drill hole collar locations and
_appropriate sectional views. _
Balanced Where comprehensive reporting of all •Not applicable in relation to the
reporting Exploration Results is not practicable, project’s available data.
representative reporting of both low
and high grades and/or widths should
be practiced to avoid misleading
_reporting of Exploration Results. _
Other Other exploration data, if meaningful •The exploration by Eclipse Metals of
substantive and material, should be reported the Ivigtût and Grønnedal prospects is
exploration including (but not limited to): geological at an early stage with field work to date
data observations; geophysical survey consisting of reconnaissance sampling
results; geochemical survey results; and a maiden drilling program. The
bulk samples – size and method of Company expects to be able to report
treatment; metallurgical test results; substantive exploration data once it has
bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical
completed it’s 2023 field season at the
and rock characteristics; potential prospects.
deleterious or contaminating
_substances. _
Further work The nature and scale of planned further
•Geological mapping; remote sensing;
work (eg tests for lateral extensions or drilling.
depth extensions or large-scale step- •Detailed geological assessments
out drilling). planned for 2023 field season.
Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas
of possible extensions, including the
main geological interpretations and
future drilling areas, provided this
information is not commercially
sensitive.

12