Summit Minerals Limited ("Summit") is pleased to announce that recent Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys conducted at the Equador and Juazheirinho Niobium Projects in northeast Brazil have further enhanced the prospectivity of these assets. The surveys have identified new pegmatite trends and historic artisanal workings that could significantly impact the ongoing exploration and development of these projects.
Highlights:
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LiDAR Survey: The LiDAR surveys have been successfully completed across both the Equador and Juazheirinho Niobium Projects in the northeast of Brazil.
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Discovery of New Pegmatite Trends: Initial interpretations of the LiDAR results have identified additional pegmatite outcrops within the Equador Project area, including areas not previously identified.
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High-Grade Rock Chip Samples: Recent rock chip sampling has also yielded high-grade results, further expanding the prospectivity of the zones within the Equador Project.
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In the northwest area, notable results include:
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13.31 % Nb2O5, 9.06 % Ta2O5, and 21,600 ppm PREO (SUMSS050)
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18.34 % Nb2O5, 49.63 % Ta2O5, and 6,080 ppm PREO (SUMSS051)
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18.94 % Nb2O5, 45.12 % Ta2O5 and 8,640 ppm PREO (SUMSS052)
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In the south area, notable rock chip samples also include:
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32.69 % Nb2O5, 33.68 % Ta2O5, and 9,270 ppm PREO (SUMSS058)
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29.74 % Nb2O5, 38.68 % Ta2O5 and 4,090 ppm PREO (SUMSS059)
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Expanding Exploration Focus: Summit plans to extend the LiDAR coverage over the newly acquired ‘Equador North’ mining lease (Tenement 848283/1999) to map additional prospective pegmatite outcrops. This expansion will support the finalisation of trenching, bulk sampling, and metallurgical testing programs.
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Upcoming Bulk Sampling: The Company is preparing to commence a bulk sampling program next month, aimed at supporting a maiden drilling campaign.
Gower He, Managing Director of Summit Minerals, stated: “I am extremely pleased with the LiDAR results as well as the new pegmatite and garimpo discoveries our team continues to uncover as we undertake a methodical, diligent and systematic exploration approach to our Equador Project.
With LiDAR completed, the team continues to explore the property as we finalise our drilling permits and make progress towards an intensive campaign of trenching, bulk sampling and metallurgical testing.
The team continues to deliver what we have outlined, and I am grateful for the excellent progress we have made in just over 3 months since the acquisition of our Equador Project.”
Next Steps:
Summit’s exploration team is set to investigate the new targets identified by the LiDAR survey and expand the survey coverage to the newly acquired areas. Detailed mapping, sampling, and other preparatory work will be conducted in parallel with the ongoing permitting process, which will set the scene for upcoming drilling and bulk sampling campaigns.