Exceptional Step-Out Intercepts Continue at Cupim South
Summary
- Viridis Mining released its twelfth set of assay results from the Colossus Project in Brazil.
- The results show exceptionally thick and high-grade rare earth mineralisation, particularly at the Cupim South and Centro Sul areas.
- The best result was a 50m intercept at 8,462 ppm TREO from surface in hole CS-RC-0541, ending in mineralisation of 3,848 ppm TREO.
- Multiple other high-grade intercepts exceeding 20m thick and >4,000 ppm TREO were also found.
- All assays from systematic grid drilling at the Southern Complex have been received and will be used in a resource upgrade expected soon.
- The company is progressing its maiden mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) testing program at the Southern Complex, with excellent net recoveries anticipated.
- Ongoing environmental and hydrogeological work continues at the Northern Concessions, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in its final stages.
- The company plans to commence drilling next year at the Northern Concessions and Southern Complex to detail high-potential areas and enhance resource confidence.
Sentiment
Score: 9
Explanation: The document presents overwhelmingly positive results, exceeding expectations. Management's enthusiastic comments further reinforce the positive sentiment. However, the potential regulatory hurdles and uncertainties related to the resource upgrade and MREC testing warrant a slight reduction from a perfect score.
Positives
- Exceptional drill results significantly expanding resource potential at Cupim South and Centro Sul.
- 50m intercept grading 8,462 ppm TREO from surface represents the thickest and highest-grade hole to date.
- Multiple high-grade intercepts (>20m thick and >4,000 ppm TREO) demonstrate the potential for a long-life, high-grade mine plan.
- All necessary data received for a substantial resource upgrade, expected soon.
- Excellent net recoveries from ore to MREC anticipated, replicating success at Northern Concessions.
- EIA in final stages, expected to be submitted shortly.
Negatives
- Partial administrative restriction by CNEN (Brazilian National Nuclear Energy Commission) due to a historic uranium mine near Centro Sul, though negligible radioactive content found so far.
- 3km buffer zone around the APA (Environmental Protection Area) covers a portion of Centro Sul, but mining is permitted within the buffer zone pending EIA approval.
Risks
- Potential delays in EIA approval could impact project timelines.
- Uncertainties associated with resource upgrade and MREC testing program.
- Potential for unforeseen geological challenges during future drilling campaigns.
- Regulatory hurdles related to the CNEN administrative zone and the APA buffer zone.
Future Outlook
The company anticipates finalisation of its scoping study and continued progress on the Environmental Impact Assessment following the completion of the Southern Concessions MREC testing program and resource upgrade. A resource upgrade is expected soon.
Management Comments
- What an exceptional set of results to finish off the drilling program for our much-anticipated resource update.'
- The assay results from the last few months have remarkably gone from strength to strength and delineated an expansive corridor of high-grade rare earth mineralisation that will form the foundation of a valuable mine plan.'
- The outstanding grades, depth, MREO/TREO ratio, all bode extremely well for delivering a high MREC basket value across the life of mine, with the initial focus of the Colossus 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.'
- With a catalyst-rich few months ahead, the team are excited to showcase the globally significant metrics of the Colossus Project by issuing the updated resource estimate, finalising the mine planning for the Northern and Southern concessions, and culminating in the finalisation of the Scoping Study.'
Industry Context
This announcement positions Viridis Mining favorably within the burgeoning rare earth element market, particularly given the high grades and thicknesses of the intercepts. The focus on MREC production and the successful ionic leaching results highlight a competitive advantage compared to traditional hard rock REE mining methods.
Next Steps
- Updated resource model completion by BNA Consultoria
- Completion of Southern Concessions MREC testing program
- Mine planning for Northern and Southern Concessions
- Finalisation of scoping study
- Continued progress on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Key Dates
- June 4, 2024: VMM ASX announcement on Globally Significant Maiden MRE for Colossus IAC Project
- June 12, 2024: VMM ASX announcement on Step-Out Drilling Multiplies Cupim South High-Grade Footprint
- July 30, 2024: VMM ASX announcement on Cupim South Step-Out Drilling Delivers Best Results Seen at Colossus
- August 28, 2024: VMM ASX announcement on Cupim South Delivers 21m @ 15,339ppm TREO
- September 24, 2024: VMM announcement dated 24 September 2024 Colossus Maiden Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) Product
- October 30, 2024: VMM ASX announcement on Cupim South Drilling Paves Way for Major Resource Upgrade
- November 14, 2024: VMM announcement dated 14 November 2024 Southern Complex Achieves Highest Ever Ionic Recoveries
- December 4, 2024: ASX Release: 50m @ 8,462ppm TREO From Surface at Cupim South, Ending in Mineralisation of 3,848ppm TREO
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.