Enova Mining Limited (ASX: ENV) has officially kicked off a resource delineation drilling program at its East Salinas rare earth element project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The campaign, which is currently underway at the Bald Hill prospect, centers on a 198-hole auger drilling plan divided into three phases. This work is specifically designed to establish the scale, geological continuity, and grade distribution of saprolite-hosted mineralisation across four primary targets: Bald Hill, Naked Hill, Hairy Hill, and Flat Hill.

The company is prioritizing this site after earlier diamond and auger drilling programs confirmed the presence of ionic adsorption clay (IAC) mineralisation near the surface. These geological characteristics are highly sought after in the sector due to their potential for cost-effective processing. Previous laboratory analysis of auger samples, particularly from hole EAS-AD-0001, indicated significant potential for recovery, with peak results reaching 84.4% for both magnetic rare earth oxides and heavy rare earth oxides.

"Our focus is on rapidly delineating an IAC rare earth resource at the Naked Hill Project, starting at the Bald Hill Prospect. Previous drilling and metallurgical test work have demonstrated the project's potential, and this program will define the extent and continuity of the mineralisation." — Eric Vesel, CEO / Executive Director

To support the current field program, the company is conducting an integrated study on mineral characterization and hydrometallurgical processing. This technical work is intended to refine the extraction methods for the specific saprolite-hosted mineralisation identified across the tenements. The results gathered from each phase of the 198-hole program will inform the subsequent stages of drilling, feeding directly into the updated geological models that will underpin future resource estimations.

The drilling schedule remains a core focus for the company as it moves through the three planned phases. Phase one is currently executing a 200-meter by 200-meter grid pattern, while subsequent phases will tighten the grid to 100 meters to provide higher confidence in the subsurface data. Alongside the drilling, Enova continues to manage its broader portfolio in Brazil, having recently completed regional reconnaissance and geochemical sampling to satisfy work obligations and assist in future target generation across its other project areas. Management has confirmed that data from these ongoing programs will be released to the market as it becomes available throughout the next stages of development.

Read the full announcement: Resource Delineation Drilling Commences at Naked Hill REE