78m at 1,001ppm TREO and 41ppm Ga2O3 Confirmed in Dual Systems at Paddys Well
Voltaic Strategic Resources confirms two significant rare earth oxide and gallium mineral systems at its Paddys Well Project in Western Australia, revealing broad high-grade intercepts and strong exploration potential.
- Dual MREO-Gallium systems confirmed at Neo and Link prospects
- Notable intercepts – 78m @ 1,001ppm TREO and 41ppm Ga2O3 at Neo
- Planned 2,000m drilling program to support maiden JORC resource
- Gallium grades comparable or superior to global bauxite sources
- Strong financial position with A$7.9M cash and liquid assets
Discovery and Scale
Voltaic Strategic Resources Limited (ASX – VSR) has announced a significant breakthrough at its Paddys Well Project in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, confirming two distinct magnet rare earth oxide (MREO) and gallium (Ga) mineral systems within a 2.5-kilometre corridor along the Chalba Shear Zone. The Neo and Link prospects have delivered multiple broad, high-grade surface intercepts, including an impressive 78 metres at 1,001ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 41ppm gallium oxide (Ga2O3) from surface at Neo.
These results underscore the potential for a scalable clay-hosted mineral system, with mineralisation open along strike and at depth. The Neo prospect alone has returned 27 intercepts exceeding 1,000ppm TREO, with peak grades reaching 3,402ppm over 12 metres, highlighting the exceptional grade and continuity of the deposit.
Strategic Mineral Significance
The combination of magnet rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium with gallium positions Paddys Well as a strategically important project. These elements are critical for manufacturing high-strength permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, medical imaging, and defense technologies. Gallium, primarily used in advanced semiconductors like gallium nitride and gallium arsenide, is essential for high-frequency and high-efficiency electronics, including 5G communications and satellite systems.
Notably, the gallium oxide grades at Paddys Well, reaching up to 152ppm Ga2O3, compare favourably with or exceed typical grades found in bauxite, the dominant global gallium source. This dual mineralisation enhances the project's appeal amid growing demand for clean energy and advanced technology materials.
Exploration and Development Outlook
Voltaic plans an immediate follow-up drilling program comprising approximately 2,000 metres of reverse circulation and rotary blade drilling. This campaign aims to expand the resource footprint, delineate a maiden JORC-compliant resource, and vector towards a potential primary basement source of mineralisation. The company also intends to prepare representative samples for metallurgical testing, including gallium recovery pathways, a crucial step in assessing economic viability.
Additional regional targets such as Soren and Switch further bolster the project's scale and potential. Voltaic's chairman, Daniel Raihani, emphasised the project's rapid evolution into a major rare earth and gallium growth opportunity, supported by a robust financial position with nearly A$8 million in cash and liquid assets.
Historical Context and Technical Validation
The Paddys Well area has a history of uranium-focused exploration, with limited prior attention to rare earth elements or gallium. Voltaic's work has uncovered previously unrecognised REE intercepts within legacy datasets, validated by modern drilling and analytical techniques. The company has also employed advanced mineralogical characterisation and portable XRF screening to refine targeting and confirm mineralisation continuity.
While the orientation and true widths of mineralisation remain to be structurally validated, the consistent grades and thicknesses from surface provide a compelling case for ongoing exploration and resource definition.
Bottom Line?
With high-grade rare earth and gallium mineralisation confirmed and a clear path to resource definition, Voltaic is poised to advance Paddys Well as a critical supplier in emerging technology supply chains.
Questions in the middle?
- What will metallurgical testing reveal about gallium recovery efficiency?
- How extensive is the primary basement source driving the surface mineralisation?
- What are the timelines and milestones for the upcoming drilling and JORC resource announcement?