Tanbreez Drilling Yields Stable 0.39%-0.54% TREO with 27% Heavy Rare Earths
Critical Metals Corp has released final results from its 2024 drilling program at the Fjord area of the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in Greenland, confirming stable rare earth element grades and highlighting strategic metals that reinforce the project’s global significance.
- 2024 drilling confirms consistent TREO grades between 0.39% and 0.54%
- Heavy rare earth oxides represent approximately 25–27% of total rare earth oxides
- Strategic metals gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium consistently present
- Fjord area remains open for resource expansion with strong vertical continuity
- Results support upcoming revised Mineral Resource Estimate and mine planning
Steady Grades Reinforce Tanbreez’s Rare Earth Potential
Critical Metals Corp has announced the final assay results from its 2024 drilling campaign at the Fjord area of the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in southern Greenland. The drilling, aimed at extending known mineralisation and refining the geological model, confirmed consistent rare earth element grades ranging from 0.39% to 0.54% total rare earth oxides (TREO). Notably, heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) constitute about 25 to 27% of the total, underscoring the deposit’s strategic value.
Despite logistical hurdles including sample transport delays and extended assay turnaround times, the results affirm the presence of key strategic metals such as gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium. These elements, alongside zirconium, niobium, and tantalum, highlight the multi-commodity potential of the project, positioning Tanbreez as a globally significant peralkaline-hosted rare earth system by scale.
Geological Context and Mineralisation Continuity
The Tanbreez deposit is hosted within the kakortokite unit of the Ilímaussaq Alkaline Complex, a layered nepheline syenite intrusion. Mineralisation is stratiform and magmatic in origin, with eudialyte as the primary rare earth-bearing mineral. The drilling results demonstrate strong vertical and lateral continuity of mineralisation, with mineralised zones confirmed from surface to depths exceeding 200 metres in some holes.
This continuity supports confidence in the geological model and suggests significant potential for resource growth. The deposit’s stratiform nature means the mineralisation is conformable with the host rock layering, which is advantageous for future mining and resource estimation.
Next Steps – Resource Update and Mine Planning
The 2024 drilling results will feed into a revised Mineral Resource Estimate for the Fjord Deposit, expected once pending 2025 drilling assays are received and interpreted. While the current announcement does not update the resource classification, it lays the groundwork for advancing mine planning studies. The company is already preparing for the 2026 field season to further delineate and expand the resource.
Critical Metals’ strategic positioning is further enhanced by the project’s location near key infrastructure, including a regional airport under construction and year-round shipping access via deep water fjords. This accessibility is critical for future development and export logistics.
Broader Implications for Critical Metals Supply
As global demand for rare earth elements intensifies, driven by electrification, clean energy technologies, and defense applications, the Tanbreez project’s consistent grades and multi-commodity profile make it a compelling asset. The presence of heavy rare earths and strategic metals could provide a diversified supply base for Western markets, reducing reliance on traditional sources.
However, the economic recoverability of some strategic metals remains to be established, and the market will be watching closely as the company progresses its resource updates and feasibility studies.
Bottom Line?
With consistent grades confirmed and resource expansion potential intact, Critical Metals is poised to advance Tanbreez toward becoming a key supplier in the critical minerals landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the updated Mineral Resource Estimate incorporating 2025 drilling results be released?
- What are the economic prospects for recovering the strategic metals identified alongside rare earths?
- How will Critical Metals leverage Tanbreez’s logistical advantages to accelerate project development?
