European Lithium Adds 180MT Feldspar and Arfvedsonite to Tanbreez MRE
European Lithium has announced a significant addendum to its Tanbreez Project Mineral Resource Estimate, adding 180 million tonnes of feldspar and arfvedsonite to the existing rare earth elements resource base. This broadens the project's economic scope and underlines its potential as a world-class rare earth development.
- 180 million tonnes of feldspar and arfvedsonite added to Tanbreez MRE
- Existing 45 million tonnes of rare earth elements resource confirmed
- Kakortokite host rock covers 5km by 2.5km with 4.7 billion tonnes estimated
- Heavy rare earth oxides constitute approximately 27% of total REEs
- Extensive drilling and metallurgical testwork support resource estimates
Expanding the Resource Base
European Lithium Ltd (ASX: EUR) has released an addendum to its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Tanbreez Project in southern Greenland, significantly expanding the resource base beyond the previously reported 45 million tonnes of rare earth elements (REEs). The new estimate incorporates 180 million tonnes of feldspar and arfvedsonite, two industrial minerals that complement the rare earth mineralisation and enhance the project's economic potential.
The Tanbreez deposit is hosted within a kakortokite unit, a layered igneous rock formation covering an area of approximately 5 by 2.5 kilometres and extending to a thickness of around 270 meters. This host rock is estimated to contain about 4.7 billion tonnes of mineralised material, although not all of it is guaranteed to be economically viable. The addendum reflects detailed mineralogical assessments and drilling data that delineate the proportions of eudialyte, feldspar, and arfvedsonite within this unit.
Mineralogical Insights and Economic Implications
Eudialyte remains the primary rare earth bearing mineral, rich in zirconium, niobium, and total rare earth oxides (TREO), including a substantial 27% heavy rare earth oxide (HREO) content. The feldspar and arfvedsonite components, while lower in REE content, are valuable industrial minerals with applications in ceramics, glass manufacturing, and construction materials.
Magnetic separation techniques have been successfully applied to differentiate these minerals, with arfvedsonite exhibiting high magnetic susceptibility, eudialyte moderate, and feldspar non-magnetic. This separation capability is crucial for efficient processing and recovery of multiple mineral products, potentially reducing waste and improving project economics.
Robust Drilling and Validation Efforts
The resource estimates are underpinned by an extensive drilling campaign conducted between 2000 and 2013, comprising approximately 400 drill holes. The data has been rigorously validated through multiple assay methods, quality control procedures, and geological mapping. The resource classification follows the JORC Code standards, with indicated and inferred categories reflecting confidence levels based on drill hole proximity.
Importantly, no cut-off grades were applied due to the bulk mining approach planned for the deposit, and metallurgical testwork has demonstrated the amenability of the ore to physical processing. Environmental assessments confirm low levels of radioactive elements and inert waste products, supporting the project's sustainability credentials.
Strategic Positioning and Next Steps
Executive Chairman Tony Sage highlighted the milestone, emphasizing the significance of incorporating feldspar and arfvedsonite into the resource framework. The company is advancing the Tanbreez deposit towards feasibility and predevelopment stages, with ongoing drilling aimed at upgrading resource confidence and refining production targets.
European Lithium's stake in Critical Metals Corp., which holds a substantial interest in Tanbreez, further aligns the project with strategic critical minerals supply chains essential for clean energy and high-tech industries. The forthcoming clarified scoping study is expected to provide updated production and financial forecasts, reinforcing the project's trajectory.
Bottom Line?
With feldspar and arfvedsonite now quantified alongside rare earths, Tanbreez’s multi-mineral potential sets the stage for a pivotal development phase.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the inclusion of feldspar and arfvedsonite affect the overall project economics and processing complexity?
- What timeline and milestones are expected for upgrading inferred resources to indicated or measured categories?
- How might Critical Metals Corp.'s equity position influence project funding and strategic partnerships?
