Power Minerals Completes Key Drilling at Santa Anna, Eyes Resource Milestone
Power Minerals has completed a 2,272-metre drilling program at its Santa Anna niobium-REE-gallium project in Brazil, advancing its due diligence ahead of a potential acquisition. Results expected in July could pave the way for a maiden resource estimate.
- 29 reverse circulation drill holes completed at Santa Anna project
- Drilling aims to confirm and extend high-grade niobium, rare earths, and gallium zones
- Samples sent for lab analysis with first results due in July 2025
- Potential to define maiden JORC Mineral Resource pending assay outcomes
- Acquisition would strengthen Power Minerals’ South American critical minerals portfolio
Drilling Completion Marks Key Step
Power Minerals Limited (ASX, PNN) has successfully completed its inaugural reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Santa Anna project in Goiás State, Brazil. The program comprised 29 drill holes totalling 2,272 metres, designed to validate and expand upon historic high-grade intersections of niobium, rare earth elements (REEs), and gallium within this carbonatite complex.
This drilling forms a critical part of Power Minerals’ due diligence as it evaluates the option to acquire the Santa Anna asset. The company’s Managing Director, Mena Habib, highlighted the significance of the program in providing updated geological data to inform next steps, including the potential definition of an Exploration Target and, ultimately, a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate.
A Rare Carbonatite Opportunity
Santa Anna is notable for its large alkaline carbonatite complex, approximately 2.5 kilometres across, with a rich history of drilling that has revealed substantial mineralisation near surface. Previous results have demonstrated impressive grades, such as up to 1.62% niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) over multiple metres and rare earth oxide concentrations exceeding 35,000 parts per million in some intervals. Gallium grades have also been exceptionally high, with some intersections surpassing 230 grams per tonne of gallium oxide (Ga2O3).
Despite this, much of the project remains underexplored, particularly at depth and in less drilled areas, presenting significant upside potential. The weathered carbonate material is also considered environmentally favourable, with low levels of uranium and thorium, enhancing its appeal as a potential fertiliser product.
Strategic Fit and Next Steps
If Power Minerals exercises its option to acquire Santa Anna, the project would complement its existing portfolio of critical minerals assets in South America, reinforcing its position as a clean energy metals explorer and developer. The company has expedited sample analysis, with first assay results anticipated in July 2025. These results will be pivotal in guiding follow-up drilling and resource estimation efforts.
Power Minerals’ approach reflects a broader industry trend of targeting carbonatite-hosted deposits for their rich concentrations of strategic metals essential to emerging technologies and green energy solutions. Santa Anna’s combination of niobium, REEs, and gallium positions it as a potentially valuable contributor to these supply chains.
Bottom Line?
July’s assay results will be a critical inflection point for Power Minerals’ ambitions in Brazil’s strategic minerals sector.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming assay results confirm the high-grade mineralisation needed to justify acquisition?
- How might Power Minerals prioritise development if a maiden resource is established at Santa Anna?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for advancing the project post-acquisition?
