Enova Advances Phase 2 Sampling to Sharpen Rare Earth Targets at East Salinas

Focused Sampling to Refine Drill Targets

Enova Mining Limited (ASX, ENV) has commenced Phase 2 surface sampling at its East Salinas Medina Intrusive Granite Complex in Minas Gerais, Brazil, following promising initial results that revealed total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades up to 1.87%. The current campaign concentrates on the Naked Hill and Bald Hill targets, employing a tighter sampling grid to enhance geological understanding and grade continuity. This approach aims to sharpen the definition of high-priority drill targets ahead of a planned drilling program scheduled to begin by the end of July.

Alongside infill rock chip sampling, Enova is targeting zones enriched in medium and heavy rare earth elements (MREE and HREE), particularly at Naked Hill, to better understand the distribution of these critical metals. The program also includes reconnaissance sampling to explore potential mineralised extensions beyond the core target areas.

Metallurgical Testing Supports Low-Cost Processing

Three bulk samples of approximately 100 kilograms each have been collected from key REE-bearing zones to support ongoing metallurgical test work. Early results from grinding tests and table concentration trials suggest that coarse milling followed by gravity concentration methods could be a viable, cost-effective processing pathway. This is a significant finding, as it points to the potential for scalable, near-surface development with attractive economics.

Enova’s metallurgical testing is being conducted at CIT Senai, where initial Bond Work Index and grinding tests have been successfully completed. These tests are critical in evaluating the project’s feasibility and underpin Enova’s strategy to develop an economically efficient rare earth operation.

Strategic Location and Geological Potential

The East Salinas project benefits from its location within the Brasiliano Orogen, a fertile geological setting known for hosting rare earth mineralisation. The Medina Granite, which forms the core of the project area, has demonstrated promising high-grade REE mineralisation with significant heavy rare earth content, including neodymium and praseodymium oxides (NdPr) and ytterbium oxide.

With a large tenement package covering over 22,700 hectares, the project offers multiple zones of interest and potential for expansion. The stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction of Minas Gerais, Brazil, further enhances the project's attractiveness, providing a supportive regulatory environment and robust infrastructure.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Enova is advancing preparations for drilling, which will focus on confirming subsurface mineralisation at Naked Hill and Bald Hill. The results of this drilling campaign will be pivotal in moving the project toward resource delineation and assessing its commercial viability. The company’s disciplined exploration strategy and early metallurgical successes position East Salinas as a potentially transformative rare earth discovery within Brazil’s resource-rich landscape.

As global demand for rare earth elements intensifies, particularly for clean energy technologies, Enova’s progress at East Salinas underscores its commitment to building a world-class critical minerals portfolio. Investors will be watching closely as drilling results and further metallurgical data emerge in the coming months.