Enova Mining Limited (ASX: ENV) has announced the discovery of rare earth element mineralisation at its Santo Antonio do Jacinto project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The company completed an initial scout auger drilling program consisting of four holes totalling 27 metres, which successfully intersected mineralised saprolite from the surface. These early results have provided the company with initial data on the grade distribution and consistency of the system.

Geological logging indicates that the mineralisation is hosted within a weathered saprolitic clay profile sitting above the Santo Antônio Porphyritic Granite Complex. This discovery validates the company’s underlying geological model for a granite-derived, saprolite-hosted rare earth system. The assays, analysed by SGS Geosol Laboratory, revealed consistent grades across the sampled area, including several intercepts exceeding 1,000ppm total rare earth oxide (TREO).

"Initial auger drilling at Santo António do Jacinto has confirmed significant rare earth element mineralisation within near surface saprolite overlying the Santo António Do Jacinto Porphyritic Granite Complex."

"The consistently high NdPr content, averaging approximately 25% of TREO, is particularly encouraging and supports the prospectivity of the project with broad intercepts from surface including 6m at 2,176ppm TREO and 26% NdPr, and 6m at 1,136ppm TREO and 24% NdPr, including 2m at 2,140ppm TREO and 26% NdPr."
— Eric Vesel, CEO / Executive Director

Beyond the drill results, surface geochemical sampling of 52 rock samples also returned hits within the project’s saprolite targets, further supporting the presence of elevated rare earth levels. The company reported a high-value magnetic rare earth component, with neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) ratios averaging around 25% of the total rare earth oxide content. Peak results from the auger drilling reached 2,485ppm TREO from the first metre.

Following this successful initial pass, the company has outlined its forward plans for the project and its wider operational priorities. Management intends to execute the next phase of auger drilling at Santo Antonio do Jacinto to test previously unexplored areas and better define the thickness and lateral extent of the mineralised saprolite.

While the results from this Brazilian asset are positive, Enova Mining clarified that its primary immediate focus remains elsewhere. The company is continuing its resource delineation drilling program at the Naked Hill project, which remains its top operational priority. The data gathered from the recent auger work will be used to guide the subsequent exploration efforts at the Santo Antonio do Jacinto site as the company balances its active project commitments. These initial findings offer a clear technical starting point for future work in the region.

Read the full announcement: REE MINERALISATION CONFIRMED AT SANTO ANTONIO DO JACINTO