Canadian explorer Atlantico finds multiple rare earth, gallium targets in Brazil
Canadian critical minerals explorer Atlantico Energy Metals Corporation has identified overlapping rare earth indicators on the Novo Cruzeiro project, in Brazil, while also having found gallium in weathered granite and a southern lithium target supported by geochemical anomalies.
The 12 rare earth-led target areas alongside gallium and a lithium target provides the company with several compelling avenues for exploration.
CEO and president Bonn Smith sees potential for multiple discoveries at the Novo Cruzeiro project, particularly at a time when securing diverse supplies has become a global priority.
The company undertook an integrated exploration review, which combined geochemical results, reconnaissance mapping, satellite imagery and regional geophysics to focus exploration across Novo Cruzeiro.
Smith explains the eastern Novo Cruzeiro targets are supported by neodymium and praseodymium anomalies, alongside dysprosium and terbium indicators. In the northeast, stream-sediment results help direct exploration toward potential upstream sources. One sample returned a grade of 1 427 parts per million total rare earth oxides, including 284 parts per million mixed rare earth oxide.
The magnet rare earth results extend beyond the eastern targets, Smith points out, saying 96 of 114 surface samples having been taken towards the west area of the project returned samples of total rare earth oxides grading more than 500 parts per million.
All of the 114 surface samples returned gallium at grades of between 16 and 72 parts per million.
Smith warns that while the southern target remains a geological and geophysical interpretation to test for lithium, some modest lithium intercepts have been made, with the maximum grade having been 71 parts per million.
