Appia Energy Corp. is a Toronto-based company that focuses on the exploration and evaluation of rare mineral and precious metals. Recently, the company announced substantial Geochemical Critical Rare-Earth Elements (REE) Assay results from its Alces Lake Project in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Significant Geochemical Assay Results at Alces Lake Project
The Alces Lake Project is Appia’s flagship venture in Saskatchewan, which came into prominence due to its high-grade Rare-Earth Elements deposit. The property spans over 14,334 hectares in the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan and is recognized as potentially one of the most significant REE prospects in North America.
Appia’s recent announcement highlighted a significant discovery based on the geological exploration program carried out in summer 2020. The exploration program included a systematic approach of prospecting, sampling, and detailed mapping to identify and evaluate potential REE, capturing a representative sample of the mineralization found within the property.
The results indicated high-grade assay results across numerous different zones, with significant concentrations of REE such as dysprosium (Dy), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd). The maximum REE concentration discovered was 49.17 wt% total rare earth oxide (TREO). This monumental discovery positively impacts the ongoing drive to find secure and economically viable REE sources.
Significance of the Discovery
REEs are key ingredients in a wide range of modern technologies, including defense applications, renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, computers, and other electronics. Despite their importance, the majority of the world’s REE supply is currently controlled by China, making it crucial for North America to find new sources.
The high-grade REE concentrations found in the Alces Lake property could significantly contribute to shifting the global REE supply chain and providing a secure supply of these critical materials to North American manufacturers. In addition, the discovery holds promising potential to strengthen Canada’s position in the global REE market and contribute to sparking new technological advancements.
Notably, the results revealed that the Alces Lake property contains the second-highest Dy grades and third-highest Ga grades worldwide. Dysprosium is used in numerous commercial technologies, including electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, while gallium is used in semiconductors.
Operational Advantages and Future Plans
Another factor bolstering the potential of the Alces Lake project is its location in Saskatchewan, chosen as the best jurisdiction in the world for mining investment by the Fraser Institute in 2020. The region is known for its stable political environment, advanced infrastructure, and supportive local communities, which all contribute to a favorable atmosphere for mining projects.
Following these significant geochemical critical REE assay results, the exploration activities at Alces Lake are set to continue with greater intensity. Appia has planned a minimum 3,000-metre diamond drilling program to further examine the property’s potential.
To conclude, the substantial geochemical REE assay results bode well for the future of the Alces Lake project. These findings provide a significant boost to the project’s potential and reaffirm the company’s commitment to advancing its exploration and development plans to tap into this rich source of REEs, shaping a more secure and diverse global supply chain.
