High-Grade Niobium–REE Zone Discovered 500m East of Crean
- Noel Ong
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Announcement
New High-Grade Niobium-REE Zone 500m East of Crean 17 November 2025 (click here to view the announcement)
Encounter Resources Limited (ASX: ENR) has reported a significant extension of high-grade niobium and rare earth element (REE) mineralisation at the Aileron Niobium-REE Project in the West Arunta region of Western Australia (Figure 1). New results from broad-spaced aircore drilling have identified a mineralised zone more than 500m east of the existing Crean Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), further validating the potential of the Elephant Island Fault corridor as a major carbonatite-hosted critical minerals system.
Figure 1: Location of Aileron Nb-REE Project (source: ENR)
The Business of the Company: Focus – Projects
(Figure 2)
Encounter Resources is an Australian explorer focused on niobium–REE and copper, anchored by its dominant Aileron Project position in the West Arunta—an emerging critical minerals province—supported by additional copper-gold projects in the Paterson Province and Northern Territory, including Jessica (JV-funded work with South32).
100%-owned niobium–REE and copper projects in Tier 1 jurisdictions
World-class maiden niobium MRE at Aileron with strong growth potential
Copper upside at Yeneena, Lamil (Paterson Province), and Jessica (NT) alongside Tier 1 partners
Figure 2: Location of Aileron Nb-REE Project (source: ENR)
Highlights – New High-Grade Niobium–REE Zone Identified 500m East of Crean
Recent aircore drilling at Crean has produced strong intersections that confirm a newly identified high-grade niobium–REE zone located over 500m east of the existing MRE boundary:
13m @ 1.8% Nb₂O₅ and 1.3% TREO from 86m
24m @ 3.0% Nb₂O₅ and 1.7% TREO from 106m
11m @ 2.3% Nb₂O₅ and 1.2% TREO from 145m
All part of a broader 77m @ 1.7% Nb₂O₅ and 1.1% TREO from 83m (EAL1327)
These results illustrate the mineralised continuity along the 8km-long Elephant Island Fault corridor (Figure 3), an area that remains sparsely drilled.
Figure 3: Elephant Island Fault – RTP Magnetics with Crean MRE outline and max-in-hole Nb2O5 (source: ENR)
Leadership Commentary
Executive Chairman, Will Robinson, commented:
“Results continue to show the major structures running through the Company’s large land position are active conduits for mineralised carbonatites, and we are still determining their full potential.
Drilling along the Elephant Island Fault has successfully extended high-grade niobium–REE mineralisation more than 500m from the Crean resource. Crean sits over 10km from the Emily-Luni-Green carbonatite system.
With broad mineralised intersections now defined over 8km of strike along the Elephant Island Fault, the scale and potential of this emerging carbonatite system are becoming increasingly clear. We’re confident more high-grade zones like Crean will be identified as our exploration continues along the corridor.”
About Aileron Project
The Aileron Project is located within the Proterozoic West Arunta Province. Carbonatite intrusions at Crean, Hurley, Green, and Emily are spatially associated with major structures, including the Elephant Island Fault, which hosts the newly discovered zone at EAL1327.Initial diamond drilling established wide, fresh-carbonatite intervals at Crean and Hurley, including:
Crean: 282m @ 0.54% Nb₂O₅ from 64m (including 48.3m @ 1.0% Nb₂O₅)
Hurley: Multiple intersections including 24m @ 0.93% Nb₂O₅ from 66m and 72m @ 0.45% Nb₂O₅ from 82m
Crean currently hosts an Inferred MRE of 3.5Mt @ 1.92% Nb₂O₅ and 1.05% TREO, forming part of the broader Aileron MRE (19.2Mt @ 1.74% Nb₂O₅ and 0.65% TREO above 1.0% Nb₂O₅ cut-off) (Table 1).
Table 1 – Aileron Project Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (source: ENR)
Near-term Milestones to Watch
Assay results from remaining aircore drilling along the Elephant Island Fault (every 2–4 weeks)
Priority target refinement and follow-up drilling
Continued definition of shallow niobium-REE enriched zones across Crean, Hurley, Emily, and Green
Additional step-out drilling to test continuity along the 8km corridor
How Samso Understands the Investment Memo for the Company
From a technical standpoint, this update reinforces the scale and fertility of the Elephant Island Fault system. Crean now extends beyond its current MRE, and the mineralisation style—oxide-enhanced zones overlying fresh carbonatite—supports the potential for additional shallow resources. Encounter’s systematic approach to structural mapping, geophysics, and broad-spaced drilling continues to uncover new zones, each adding incremental geological confidence to the region’s prospectivity.
Samso Concluding Comments
The new EAL1327 intersection strengthens the case that Crean is part of a much larger mineralised footprint than initially understood. The scale of the corridor, combined with high-grade intervals, highlights a system that has significant growth potential.
The results also support Encounter’s broader exploration strategy of systematic step-out drilling along structural corridors. The approach is clearly working, as seen from the rapid identification of high-grade zones at both Crean and Hurley.
What stands out is that much of the corridor remains lightly drilled, meaning the upside case is still unfolding. With ongoing assays due every two to four weeks, this project will continue to deliver regular updates.
From an investment memo perspective, the Company’s consistent technical execution and the emerging scale of the Aileron system reinforce the rationale for ongoing exploration momentum in West Arunta.
The Samso Way – Seek the Research
Always look to the data and the geological story behind the announcement.
Our mission is simple: cut through the noise and spotlight what matters—genuine stories, grounded insights, and real opportunity.
Our content is well-researched and is only created if the team sees a merit in discussing the company or concept. Investors can explore our three core platforms:
There may be numerous paths to success in investing, but the common thread among successful individuals is that they remain committed to making informed decisions. Equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools, and you will be well on your way to achieving your financial goals.
Most importantly, investors need to be absolutely diligent in understanding their own risk-reward tolerance and capabilities. Never bite off more than you can chew. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the Great Wall stood because it took centuries to complete.
The Samso Philosophy:
Stay curious. Stay sharp. And remember—digging deeper always uncovers the real value.
In Life, there is no such thing as a Free Lunch.
Happy Investing, and the only four-letter word you need to know is DYOR.
To support our independent nature of our work, please head over to our Support Page and give us a helping hand in any of the ways listed. This is a new initiate for the Samso Platform, and it was always the concept of Samso when we started this journey in 2018.
Disclaimer
The information or opinions provided herein do not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase or sell the investment product(s) mentioned herein. It does not take into consideration, nor have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation, risk profile, tax position and particular, or unique needs and constraints.
Share to Grow: Your Bonus
Samso has just released an eBook: How to Add Value to your Share Portfolio
A lesson on geological models sought by mining companies that gives insight and an understanding of which portfolios are better - and potentially more lucrative – investments. Click here to download this eBook.
If you find this article informative and useful, please help me share the information. I try and write about topics that are interesting and have the potential to be of investment value. It is not easy to find stories that fit those parameters. If you or your organisation see the benefit of what Samso is trying to achieve and have a need to share your journey, please contact me at noel.ong@samso.com.au.
Samso is a trusted platform that equips dedicated investors with up-to-date industry knowledge and insights from top CEOs and thought leaders. By staying informed on business advancements and market trends, investors can enhance their financial decisions through a combination of expert guidance and their own research.
Comments