Rare Earth Ridge Resources gives an update on their British Columbian property, Mt. Major Hart, including a new acquisition and an estimate of what materials can be gained from their stakes.
Rare Earth Ridge Resources Corp.’s Mt. Major Hart project, located in British Columbia, Canada, has significantly enhanced its exploration prospects by acquiring the Conrad Claim. This acquisition aligns with the company’s focus on the exploration and development of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical metals, including lithium and rubidium.
The strategic location of the Mt. Major Hart property within the tin-tungsten belt of British Columbia, an area renowned for its rich mineral deposits, strengthens its prospectivity for discovering valuable mineral deposits.
Addition of the Conrad Claim
The Conrad Claim, adjacent to the Mt. Major Hart property, adds substantial value to the project. The combined property now encompasses over 2,563 hectares (6,333 acres). It is situated near Dease Lake, offering accessibility by helicopter, and is proximate to BC Highway 37, facilitating logistical support, including transport of materials and equipment. This location advantage extends to labour and accessibility while tapping into a region with a history of mining and exploration, beneficial for skilled labour recruitment and community relations.
Geology of the Mt. Major Hart property
The Mt. Major Hart property is notable for its peralkaline granite composition. Peralkaline granites are igneous rocks rich in alkaline elements, often hosting higher proportions of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) than light rare earth elements (LREEs). This is significant as HREEs are typically less abundant and more in demand for high-tech applications, distinguishing the Mt. Major Hart property from traditional carbonatite-hosted systems that usually have higher concentrations of LREEs. These unique geological characteristics enhance the project’s exploration strategies and future development potential.
In addition, Mt. Major Hart has the geological potential for hosting tin greisen deposits. Tin greisen deposits are formed from the alteration of granite or other igneous rocks through hydrothermal processes and are marked by the presence of greisen, a highly altered, coarse-grained aggregate of quartz and mica.
Importance of REEs and critical minerals
REEs and tin, the primary focus of the Mt. Major Hart project, are integral to several industries. REEs are known for their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. They are essential in manufacturing electric motors, particularly for electric vehicles, and in alternative energy technologies such as wind turbines. Their applications are widespread, encompassing consumer electronics, defence systems, and other high-tech areas. Tin, indispensable in the electronics industry for soldering, is also critical in data storage technologies, lithium-ion battery production, and touchscreens. The importance of these elements extends to national security, economic prosperity, and the transition to alternative energy, with governments worldwide prioritising the security of supply chains for critical minerals.
Potential for discovery of additional targets
The acquisition of the Conrad Claim is particularly strategic given the historical and recent sediment sampling results, which indicate a promising concentration of TREE+Y (total rare earth elements plus yttrium) and tin. The prior silt sampling combined with Rare Earth Ridge Resources sampling highlights an area of 2.8 x 1.8km as an anomalous value in TREE+Ys and tin. Please see Rare Earth Ridge’s press release dated November 22, 2023, for further information. These findings suggest the potential for discovering deposits of these critical minerals, which are pivotal in numerous high-tech and defence applications.
Rare Earth Ridge’s commitment to sustainable exploration practices, balancing mineral development with ecological sustainability and community respect, further enhances the project’s appeal. The company is also advancing metallurgical studies to de-risk and inform its exploration strategy. These studies are crucial for understanding the feasibility and amenability of mineral extraction and processing at the Mt. Major Hart property.
In summary, with the addition of the Conrad Claim, the Mt. Major Hart project represents a strategic opportunity in the critical minerals sector. Its strategic location in North America, combined with infrastructure advantages and ongoing metallurgical studies, positions it as a key player in the exploration and potential development of rare earth elements and critical minerals. These efforts contribute to the global supply of in-demand resources essential for advanced technologies and sustainable energy solutions, aligning with global efforts to secure and diversify critical mineral supply chains.
Please note, this article will also appear in the seventeenth edition of our quarterly publication.
