Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API | OTCQX: APAAF) (“Appia”) has several projects located across Canada and Brazil with rare earths and uranium potential, as well as some other valuable metals. The current focus for Appia is on advancing their two key rare earths projects Alces Lake Project in Canada and the PCH Ionic Clay Project in Brazil.
Today we give an update on Appia’s latest activity at these two projects.
Appia’s projects are located in Canada and Brazil with a focus on rare earths and uranium
Alces Lake Project in Canada (100% owned)
The Alces Lake Project is located in Northern Saskatchewan and is known for having exceptionally high rare earths grades and gallium in favorable monazite ore. Appia state: “Alces Lake Project in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin is the highest-grade critical rare earths prospect in North America and one of the highest-grade rare earths prospects in the world.”
Appia is now starting to release their latest results from the 2023 drill campaign from the Magnet Ridge Zone at Alces Lake.
Appia announced on January 15, 2024: “Assays of up to 1.57 wt.% (15,700 ppm) Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) were returned, with thickness and grades increasing to the south-southeast…Mineralization intervals occur from near surface to < 85 metres depth.”
Appia also announced in January 2024 that they have signed a new Cooperation Agreement with the Ya’thi Néné Lands and Resources Office.
Near term catalysts from Alces Lake include further assay results from the 40 diamond drill hole summer 2023 exploration program.
The PCH Project in Brazil (option to acquire up to 70% interest)
The PCH Project is potentially a very significant ionic clay rare earths project located in Goias, Brazil. Ionic clay projects are favored as the extraction process for rare earths is a relatively simple and less expensive process, already widely practiced in China. Furthermore, Appia’s PCH Project has all the key rare earths needed for the powerful magnets used in electric motors in most EVs. Most other projects don’t have this complete spectrum as discussed by leading rare earths expert Jack Lifton here.
Drill results announced in October 2023 from the PCH Project have been very encouraging, including Hole RC-063 that reported 24 metres of mineralization from surface with a total weighted average of 27,188 ppm or 2.72% of Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). The hole remains open at depth and has extended the known area of Target IV.
Appia Geology Manager, Carlos Bastos, stated: “The assay results from PCH-RC-063 are highly promising, revealing sustained mineralization of essential elements including Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Neodymium (Nd), and Praseodymium (Pr). Notably, several elements surpassed the upper detection limit of the assay method being used, and updated results will be reported once received.”
Note: Bold emphasis by the author.
On January 16, 2024, Appia announced reanalysis of Hole RC-063 resulting in even higher grades of a Total Weighted Average of 38,655 ppm or 3.87% TREO.
From the first 10 holes drilled at the PCH Project the total weighted average grade is 7,578 ppm or 0.76% Total Rare Earth Oxide.
The January 11, 2024 Appia announcement highlights the excitement that the Appia team has towards the PCH Project. They announced an extension of their existing mining claims at the Project from 17,551.07 hectares to an expansive 40,963.18 hectares across a total of 22 claim blocks. The substantial 133% increase in the current land package includes 12 new claims independently staked by the Company and incurred minimal costs.
The PCH Project is situated in a jurisdiction supportive of mining activities with many major mining corporations actively exploring and mining located just ~30 km from the city of Iporá. Access is good using well-developed regional roads with optimal infrastructure including water and power to the Project. Appia says that “the Project has the support of both local and state governments”.
Appia is targeting a Maiden Resource for the PCH Project Target IV in Q1, 2024.
Typical differences between ionic clay and hard rock rare earth projects
Closing remarks
Appia is making steady progress on multiple projects with the key focus currently on the Alces Lake Project in Canada and the PCH Project in Brazil. Both Projects have strong potential with good grades and amenable ore, but will take time to develop. Appia also has their various uranium projects, but that’s for next time.
Appia trades on a market cap of C$27 million. 2024 could potentially be a very big year for Appia. Stay tuned.
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