Lion Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX: LRM) (Lion Rock or the Company) is pleased to announce the identification of the source of monazite, xenotime and zircon coincident within the zone of highgrade rutile mineralisation on the Minta Est Project in Cameroon.
The key takeaway is that in the Minta Est area very high rutile grades, as also seen throughout Minta, are materially enriched by the presence of monazite, zircon and potentially xenotime. The Company sees the significant value upside to shareholders in pursuing the exploration of the thorium-enriched granite zone on Minta Est with exceptional heavy mineral assemblage without delay.
Detailed field truthing completed during the rutile reconnaissance exploration program identified the existence of monazite enriched alluvial soils in the Minta Est region. Particularly high grade and concentrated zones (up to 74% monazite1 ) were identified in high energy streams and rivers. The source of the detrital monazite concentrations at Minta Est was determined to be a unique monazite-enriched granite basement across the project area.
Remote-sensed thorium radiometric data, acquired after the start of the reconnaissance drilling program, was used with available geology maps to identify a unique late-tectonic granite intrusion at Minta Est. In contrast, earlier more prevalent granite intrusions in the region show no thorium anomalism. The Company has prioritised an infill drilling program on Minta Est which targets the largest contiguous areas with highest thorium anomalies over the identified granite. Drilled samples over the target monazite-enriched granite from the reconnaissance program, which have not yet been tested, have been prioritised for assay.
Initial grab samples taken from high-energy, artisanal gold workings in the primary tributaries reported some of the highest monazite assemblage grades globally. These results relate to the proximal erosion and preferential concentration of more subdued grades of heavy minerals anticipated in the surrounding weathered granite rocks or in the larger tributaries with a regional watershed. Independent analysis of the high-grade monazite samples by Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) confirmed that the rare-earth distribution is enriched in Dy and Tb heavy rare-earth elements relative to an example of a carbonatite hosted hard-rock monazite. The high-grade monazite samples also displayed anomalous enrichment of yttrium (Y) of 1.2%, indicative of the presence of heavy rare-earth enriched xenotim
Lion Rock Chief Executive Officer, Casper Adson, commented: 'Following the outstanding rutile results announced recently across what is emerging as a truly district-scale system, we're now seeing the Minta Project reveal another exciting layer - a zone of monazite and xenotime mineralisation coincident with the rutile, potentially capable of generating a very high-value product suite. 'Our geological team has done exceptional work in pinpointing the source of this mineralisation - a monazite-enriched granite - through the integration of thorium radiometric data and detailed field mapping. 'The rare earth distribution within the monazite concentrate at Minta Est is particularly compelling, showing elevated levels of the high-value heavy rare earth elements dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) along with samarium (Sm) - the latter recently being recognised by the United States as the most critical mineral. Confirmation of the presence of xenotime as the source of Dy and Tb adds further value as these remain under Chinese export restrictions and are therefore in strong global demand. 'Infill drilling is now advancing rapidly to define the extent of this new monazite-xenotime zone, supported by expanded equipment that has doubled our on-ground capacity. With our strategic partnership alongside global rare-earth and titanium leader Tronox, Lion Rock is fully funded for the next phase of exploration and continues to deliver potential world-class discoveries across the Minta Project.'
In the eastern region, where exceptionally high monazite grades were intersected within narrow, high-energy stream systems that also hosted artisanal gold workings, the Company is confident that the primary monazite source has now been identified. Monazite observed in drill pans and confirmed through SEM and QEMSCAN analyses is notably coarse, and given the mineral's relatively soft nature, it was reasonable to expect minimal transport, indicating that the source was nearby. Granite is known to liberate zircon during weathering, and several granite intrusions in the eastern Minta region host abundant zircon. However, one particular granite body, covering approximately 250 km2 at Minta Est, is distinguished by a unique thorium radiometric response in remote-sensed imagery, when compared with the surrounding metamorphic country rock and other generations of granite intrusion. A strong thorium channel response, typical of detrital heavy mineral sand deposits enriched in monazite, can be identified coincident with this granite and the first order streams that delivered assemblages of Monazite between 2 - 74%, zircon between 2 - 28% and rutile making up almost all the remaining heavy mineral.
All planned exploration activities for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 are fully funded. For further information please contact: Casper Adson Chief Executive Officer Lion Rock Minerals Limited +61 8 6143 6748 Phil Gallagher Non-Executive Director Lion Rock Minerals Limited +61 8 6143 6748
COMPETENT PERSON'S STATEMENT
The information contained in this announcement that relates to interpretation from field mapping and radiometric data at the Minta Project, is based on information compiled by Mr. Richard Stockwell, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr. Stockwell is an employee of Placer Consulting Pty Ltd, which holds equity securities in Lion Rock Minerals Limited. Richard has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr. Stockwell consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this announcement that relates to historical exploration results at the Minta Project in Cameroon, were first reported by the Company in accordance with listing rule 5.7 on the dates identified throughout this ASX release. The Company confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement may include forward-looking statements and opinions. Forward-looking statements, opinions and estimates are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are outside the control of Lion Rock. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and no representation or warranty is made as to the likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates. Actual values, results or events may be materially different to those expressed or implied in this announcement. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates. Any forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates in this announcement speak only at the date of issue of this announcement. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law and the ASX Listing Rules, Lion Rock does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any information or any of the forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates in this announcement or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such disclosures are based
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