Anson finds pegmatites just over the fence of growing rare earths deposit

Outcropping pegmatites have been discovered at Anson’s Hooley Well project
The Mt Erong prospect is located west of established rare earths resources in WA’s Mid-West
Hooley Well also hosted in same region as the Julimar nickel-copper-PGE discovery

Anson Resources has discovered widespread pegmatites at its Hooley Well project in Western Australia, on a tenement which also hosts a large radiometric signature similar to a nearby rare earths resource.

While its primary focus is the Paradox lithium project in the US, Anson (ASX: ASN) has also been quietly chipping away at other battery metals projects. This includes Hooley Well, about 300km north-east of Geraldton in WA’s Mid-West.

Large expanses of outcropping pegmatites have been identified at the Mt Erong prospect over an area of approximately 12.5km2 during a recent reconnaissance sampling program undertaken by ASN’s geological team.

A photo of the outcropping pegmatite. Pic via Anson Resources

The prospect has not previously been subject to any lithium-focused exploration. In fact, very little general exploration has been completed on the tenement to date by either ASN or previous holders.

The contact of the pegmatite intrusive with a basalt at the Mt Erong prospect. Pic via Anson Resources

Rare earth potential not being ignored

Hooley Well is also considered prospective for rare earth mineralisation. A resource containing more than 101Mt of clay-hosted REE has been delineated at Mt Clere, owned by Krakatoa Resources (ASX: KTA), directly to the east of ASN’s ground.

It is also worth noting the project sits within the bounds of the highly prospective West Yilgarn Craton that has yielded the likes of the landmark Julimar nickel-copper-PGE discovery made by Chalice Mining (ASX: CHN) in recent times.

A map of lithium, pegmatites and rare earths discoveries surrounding Mt Erong. Pic via Anson Resources

ASN is awaiting assay results from the Mt Erong prospect for confirmation the newly discovered pegmatites indeed contain lithium or rare earths. The findings will also be used to determine the company’s future exploration plans for Hooley Well.

Extensive reconnaissance mapping and sampling – including stream, soil and rock chip sampling – will be undertaken by ASN this quarter. The company’s focus will initially be on the western portion of the Mt Erong tenement and will target both lithium and rare earth mineralisation where pegmatites have been identified.

Survey says…ASN should continue exploring

ASN believes further pegmatite clusters could be discovered given the tectonic and geological setting of the area is currently under an exploration spotlight.

Other exploration activities the company has on its agenda for Hooley Well include an aerial magnetic survey over Mt Erong and interpretation of historical radiometric surveys.

ASN also plans to complete a heritage survey over those areas where pegmatites were discovered in preparation for a potential first phase of drilling.

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Anson Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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