Cupim South Drilling Paves Way for Major Resource Upgrade
Summary
- Viridis Mining announced highly encouraging results from maiden systematic reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its Cupim South mining licenses in Brazil.
- Multiple drill holes intersected exceptionally thick and high-grade zones of rare earth elements (REEs), with some exceeding 7,000 ppm TREO.
- Highlights include CS-RC-0361: 14m @ 6,644ppm TREO and CS-RC-0367: 50m @ 2,999ppm TREO.
- The high MREO percentage (up to 43%) is beneficial for maintaining a superior basket value and increasing revenue.
- Infill drilling encountered significantly higher grades than previously modelled, suggesting a substantial resource upgrade is likely.
- A 200 x 200m grid has been systematically drilled, with 75% of assays received.
- Maiden mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) testing has commenced at Cupim South, aiming to replicate the Northern Concessions' outstanding 76% MREO recovery.
- The company expects to release an updated resource estimate in the coming months, followed by mine planning and a scoping study.
- Other critical path activities, including a prefeasibility study and environmental approvals, are on track.
Sentiment
Score: 9
Explanation: The overwhelmingly positive drilling results, high MREO percentages, and planned resource upgrade strongly suggest a very positive outlook.
Positives
- Exceptionally thick and high-grade REE intersections were discovered.
- High MREO percentages (up to 43%) were found, which is beneficial for revenue.
- Infill drilling revealed significantly higher grades than previously modeled.
- Systematic drilling of a 200 x 200m grid is nearly complete (75% assays received).
- Maiden MREC testing has begun, with results expected to be similar to the Northern Concessions' high recovery rates (76%).
- An updated resource estimate, mine planning, and scoping study are expected in the coming months.
Risks
- The updated resource estimate, mine planning, and scoping study are still pending.
- Environmental approvals and permitting are ongoing processes with inherent uncertainties.
- MREC testing results may differ from expectations.
- Market conditions for rare earth elements could change.
Future Outlook
The company anticipates releasing an updated resource estimate, finalizing mine planning for the Northern and Southern concessions, and releasing the results of the Scoping Study in the coming months. In parallel, other critical path activities such as the Prefeasibility Study, Environmental Approvals, and MREC test work on the southern concessions remain on track.
Management Comments
- 'This latest set of drilling results continues to showcase the extensive contiguous high-grade system we have on our hands at our Southern tenement package, underpinning our development strategy to mine the high-grade areas in both our Northern and Southern Concessions to maximise project economics and cashflow during the initial years of operations.'
- 'Especially pleasing is the consistently high ratio of MREO/TREO in the assays, which directly supports a high MREC basket value, which is paramount for increasing revenue.'
- 'With the deep drilling program now completed, the company is excited about releasing an updated resource estimate in the coming months, finalising the mine planning for the Northern and Southern concessions and releasing the results of the Scoping Study.'
Industry Context
This announcement is positive news for the rare earth element (REE) mining industry, particularly given the growing global demand for REEs and the focus on high-value MREOs. The high recovery rates achieved in MREC testing at the Northern Concessions suggest Viridis is developing a competitive advantage in REE processing.
Next Steps
- Release of an updated resource estimate
- Finalization of mine planning for Northern and Southern concessions
- Release of the Scoping Study results
- Completion of the Prefeasibility Study
- Securing Environmental Approvals
- Completion of MREC test work on Southern concessions
Key Dates
- March 18-19, 2024: First site visit by Volodymyr Myadzel from BNA Mining Solutions to inspect drilling and sampling procedures.
- June 4, 2024: ASX announcement of Globally Significant Maiden MRE for Colossus IAC Project.
- June 12, 2024: ASX announcement of Step-Out Drilling Multiplies Cupim South High-Grade Footprint.
- July 30, 2024: ASX announcement of Cupim South Step-Out Drilling Delivers Best Results Seen at Colossus.
- September 24, 2024: ASX announcement of Colossus Maiden Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) Product.
- October 25-26, 2024: Second site visit by Volodymyr Myadzel from BNA Mining Solutions to inspect drilling and sampling procedures.
- October 30, 2024: ASX release of Cupim South Drilling Paves Way for Major Resource Upgrade.
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Operational Update
- Viridis and Viridion are well-placed to capitalize on significant funding opportunities provided by two FINEP / BNDES Public Calls, which total R$8 Billion (approximately US $1.4 Billion) for strategic mineral transformation and R&D centers.
- The potential funding available will fast-track the Colossus and Viridion development timelines, indicating a future capital injection to accelerate project progress.
Operational Update
- The document highlights 'exceptional project economics even at todays cyclical low rare earth prices', indicating strong performance despite challenging market conditions.
- The successful delivery of the first locally sourced rare earth oxides to Latin America's only magnet manufacturer is described as a 'significant milestone', surpassing typical expectations for project development.
- The unique positioning of Viridion as the 'only local source of oxides to Brazil and broader Latin America' provides a strategic advantage that exceeds standard market positioning.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Colossus Project increased by 140%, reaching 493Mt @ 2,508ppm TREO and 601ppm MREO, which is better than previous estimates.
Interim Financial Report
- The company completed a $3.5 million placement on February 4, 2025, at $0.33 per share.
- The company completed a placement to raise A$4 million through an equity issue at $0.52 per share in October 2024.
Interim Financial Report
- The company's net loss after tax decreased compared to the previous year, indicating improved financial performance.
Scoping Study Announcement
- The Colossus project's economics, including a pre-tax NPV8 of US$1.43 billion and an IRR of 43%, suggest better than expected results.
Project Update
- The Colossus project boasts the largest and highest-grade MREO Measured & Indicated IAC resource globally.
- Metallurgical testing shows industry-leading MREO recoveries of 76-78% using a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly process.
Reinstatement Announcement
- The reinstatement of trading is directly linked to an announcement regarding a capital raising.
- The company is expected to announce details of the capital raising soon.
Trading Halt Request
- The company has requested a trading halt pending an announcement regarding a capital raising.
Environmental and Regulatory Update
- The company is continuing to focus on project financing discussions.
Resource Upgrade Announcement
- The resource size increased by 140%, which is significantly better than expected.
- The Measured & Indicated resource is now the largest and highest grade globally, which is better than industry standards.
Exploration Update
- The resource estimate has increased by 140%, which is better than expected.
- The project has the largest and highest-grade MREO resource in the Measured & Indicated categories globally, which is better than expected.
- Metallurgical recoveries are industry-leading, which is better than expected.
Exploration Update
- The results are better than expected due to the industry-leading 78% MREO recoveries, which exceed typical recoveries in similar projects.
- The low impurity level of approximately 0.7% is significantly better than global benchmarks for public IAC projects.
- The high TREO content of 58% in the final MREC product, along with a 38% MREO/TREO ratio, surpasses expected values and indicates a high-quality deposit.
Exploration Update
- The drill results were significantly better than expected due to the discovery of multiple exceptionally thick and high-grade rare earth intercepts, exceeding previous expectations for both grade and width.
Annual General Meeting Results
- Approval of a 10% placement facility was granted.
- Ratification of prior share issues (April and October placements) was approved.
Investor Presentation
- The high-grade nature of the MRE, exceeding expectations, and the exceptional metallurgical recoveries are significantly better than anticipated.
Investor Presentation
- $4 million capital raise completed on 14 October 2024
Metallurgical Test Results
- The ionic recoveries achieved at the Southern Complex significantly exceeded expectations, surpassing all previous results at the Colossus project and demonstrating a superior economic profile.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- Resolution 4 seeks shareholder approval for a 10% placement facility, potentially raising additional capital.
- Resolution 10 seeks approval to issue 1,712,308 October Placement Shares to Tranche 2 participants, potentially raising approximately $0.9 million.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results significantly exceeded expectations, with multiple intersections revealing exceptionally high grades and thicknesses of rare earth elements, particularly MREOs, far surpassing previous models.
Capital Raise Announcement
- The successful A$4 million placement exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the company and its Colossus project.
- The exceptional maiden MREC results from the Colossus project significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing superior economics and potential to disrupt the industry.
Trading Halt Announcement
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
Annual Report
- The company's ability to issue additional shares under the Corporation Act 2001 to raise further capital. The Group has a history of successfully raising funds from equity raisings in the past
Annual Report
- The company reported a significant net loss after tax of $8,314,168 for FY2024, substantially exceeding the previous year's loss of $814,226, indicating worse than expected financial performance.
Exploration Update
- The company acquired new tenements at a low cost, expanding its landholding in key prospects.
- Drilling results indicate high-grade mineralisation in the Cupim South Extension.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The company announced a globally significant maiden MRE for the Colossus IAC Project of 201Mt @ 2,590ppm TREO with 668ppm MREO.
- Metallurgical test work at the Colossus IAC Project achieved high bulk composite sample recoveries globally, averaging 79% recovery in a 30-minute leach cycle.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results are better than expected due to the high TREO grades and MREO concentrations discovered at the Cupim South extension.
- The infill drilling at the Northern Concessions returned grades over twice the block model estimates, indicating a significant improvement in the resource potential.
Missing type for ID: 2009
- ASX:VMM announces better than expected results.
Missing type for ID: 3480
- ASX:VMM announces worse than expected results.
Market Announcement
- The granting of the Cupim South mining licenses and Centro Sul exploration licenses is better than expected as it secures critical tenements for the company's development strategy.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results have exceeded expectations by discovering higher grades and extending the mineralized zones beyond the previously known resource area.
Mineral Resource Estimate
- The Colossus project has a high MREO content compared to its peers.
Investor Presentation
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high grades of rare earth elements found near the surface.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high recoveries achieved in initial metallurgical testing.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the strategic partnerships and government support secured.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results at Ribeirao encountered significantly higher grades than previously anticipated, improving the potential resource estimate.
- The mineralized footprint at Cupim South has doubled, indicating a larger resource potential than initially expected.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The drilling results exceeded expectations with high-grade zones and new discoveries.
- Metallurgical testing showed exceptional ionic adsorption recoveries.
- The company secured additional mining rights and expanded its land position.
Trading Halt Request
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
- The details of the capital raising will be released in a subsequent announcement.
Metallurgical Test Results Announcement
- The maiden bulk met test work completed at Colossus exceeded expectations.
- The average ionic recoveries of magnet rare earth elements (MREE), including Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy), and Terbium (Tb), outperformed every publicly known IAC prospect and deposit globally.
Exploration Update
- The discovery of the highest peak grade publicly reported by any company within the entire Complex of 27,087ppm TREO is better than expected.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The Parties acknowledge and agree that on and from the Commencement Date (being the date the JV Co is incorporated), a detailed budget and funding model will be developed to inform future funding requirements, which must be agreed by both Parties.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The joint venture aims to be the first producer of refined Rare Earth Oxides (REO) in Brazil, utilizing innovative separation and recycling technologies, which is better than the current industry standard.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.