en.Wedoany.com Reported - Power Minerals (ASX: PNN) has initiated a mineralogical characterization program at the Morro do Ferro rare earth project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, focusing on high-value magnet rare earth elements.
The program aims to identify the host minerals of valuable rare earth elements, including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, and to determine whether low-value cerium and gangue minerals can be selectively removed during mining or beneficiation processes.
This mineralogical analysis indicates that the bastnaesite-rich mineralization hosts the majority of the deposit's high-value magnet rare earth elements. The results show that approximately 40% of the non-cerium rare earth inventory consists of magnet rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, and holmium. Based on current pricing assumptions, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium account for approximately 98% of the rare earth value in the non-cerium inventory.
The mineralogical study suggests that through future mine planning and beneficiation strategies, it may be possible to selectively reduce the content of low-value cerium. Managing Director Mena Habib stated that this strategy aims to minimize the extraction of low-value cerium and radioactive minerals, which he believes could significantly enhance the project's economic viability, simplify future development, and position Morro do Ferro as a differentiated magnet rare earth project.
An analysis of the drilling database using a 0.5% total rare earth oxide (TREO) cut-off grade reveals exceptionally high grades of strategically important rare earth oxides. The data shows average values of 4,521 ppm for neodymium oxide plus praseodymium oxide, 31 ppm for terbium oxide, and 141 ppm for dysprosium oxide. Peak values exceed 3% for neodymium oxide plus praseodymium oxide, 250 ppm for terbium oxide, and 1,024 ppm for dysprosium oxide.
The highest terbium oxide assay result is 249.9 ppm from 9 meters to 11 meters in drill hole MFSR-47, and the highest dysprosium oxide assay result is 1,023.6 ppm from 85 meters to 87 meters in drill hole MFSR-43, both intervals occurring within broader high-grade rare earth mineralized zones. The highest combined neodymium oxide plus praseodymium oxide assay result is 33,750 ppm, occurring within a broader interval grading 12.22% TREO, with multiple other intervals containing over 2.7% neodymium oxide plus praseodymium oxide.
CEO Alistair Stephens, who has been involved in the definition and advancement of over 7 million tonnes of TREO resources globally, stated that the mineralogical characteristics exhibited by Morro do Ferro have the potential to differentiate the project from many traditional rare earth development projects. The company's current diamond drilling program is expected to significantly expand the geological and mineralogical understanding of the project.
Environmental studies have been initiated to help expedite approvals. The Manifesto de Mina mining license only requires environmental approval for mining activities. Power Minerals' first drilling program at Morro do Ferro is underway, with initial assay results expected to be released in July 2026.
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