140m @ 0.9% TREO Intercept Highlights Rare Earth Potential at Stinger

A Significant Rare Earth Discovery

Dreadnought Resources Ltd has announced the start of a new drilling campaign targeting rare earth elements (REE) and niobium at the Stinger deposit, part of its 100% owned Mangaroon Critical Metals project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region. The company recently intersected a thick, highly fractionated carbonatite zone enriched in rare earths during deep diamond drilling, with assays revealing 140 metres grading 0.9% total rare earth oxides (TREO) starting from 307 metres downhole. Notably, this zone contains a high proportion of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), accounting for 24% of the TREO, a ratio that enhances the deposit’s economic appeal.

Geological Parallels and Strategic Importance

The mineralogy of the carbonatite, characterized by barium and strontium enriched calcite with coarse-grained rare earth minerals such as bastnaesite and monazite, draws comparisons to the globally significant Mountain Pass deposit in the United States. This similarity underscores the potential scale and value of the Stinger discovery within the broader Gifford Creek Carbonatite Complex, one of the largest carbonatite systems worldwide. The complex already hosts a diverse suite of critical minerals including niobium, scandium, titanium, and phosphorus, positioning Mangaroon as a strategic asset in the global critical minerals landscape.

Next Steps and Exploration Outlook

Building on these encouraging results, Dreadnought plans to initiate a three-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program in October 2025 to test the weathered oxide zone above the fresh carbonatite. Weathering processes in carbonatites typically upgrade metal grades by three to six times, suggesting the oxide zone could yield significantly higher concentrations of critical metals. Results from this program are anticipated by December 2025, alongside ongoing mineralogical investigations conducted in partnership with the Australian National University. These studies aim to refine the understanding of the deposit’s composition and metallurgical characteristics, critical for future resource development.

Broader Project Context and Market Dynamics

The Mangaroon project encompasses multiple mineralised zones, including the Yin Ironstones and Gifford Creek Carbonatite, with substantial existing resources and promising metallurgy. The Yin Ironstones alone boast nearly 30 million tonnes at over 1% TREO, with a high NdPr ratio exceeding global averages. Dreadnought’s Managing Director, Dean Tuck, highlighted the project’s potential to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s critical metals ambitions amid a rebounding market for rare earths driven by supply chain security and the low-carbon transition. The company’s comprehensive work plan through 2026 includes resource upgrades, mine planning, and further drilling across its portfolio, reflecting confidence in Mangaroon’s strategic value.

Implications for Investors and Industry

This latest rare earth discovery at Stinger adds a compelling new dimension to Dreadnought’s critical metals portfolio, potentially enhancing the project’s economics and market positioning. The combination of thick mineralised intercepts, favourable mineralogy, and a high-value rare earth mix aligns well with global demand trends. However, assay results for the oxide zone remain pending, and the company’s ability to translate these geological findings into a commercially viable operation will be closely watched by investors and industry observers alike.