European Lithium unveils “outstanding” high heavy rare earth results at Tanbreez

European Lithium Ltd has unveiled historical assay results from deep diamond drilling at the Tanbreez Project in Greenland that point to decent concentrations of total rare earth oxides (TREO) and a notable ratio of heavy rare earth oxides (HREO).

The reported results, derived from six diamond drill holes completed in 2013, demonstrate TREO values in the vicinity of 0.39% to 0.48%. 

"I am thrilled to announce the latest deep diamond drill hole results, revealing exceptional assay outcomes,” executive chair Tony Sage said.

“These results consistently showcase high-grade TREOs and HREOs with remarkably low uranium and thorium levels, positioning Tanbreez as a globally significant, unique and invaluable REE deposit.

Sought-after critical minerals

What makes this revelation so positive for the company is the HREO content. 

HREO accounted for around 27% of the total rare earth content, a ratio that augurs well given growing demand for heavy rare earth elements in high-performance magnets and other advanced technologies.

The Tanbreez project is one of only a handful of advanced rare earth assets outside China with a heavy rare earth bias.

This constitutes the first assay data to be released from historical drilling at depth, a turning point in the Tanbreez project's exploration history. 

The mineralisation is hosted within a large syenite intrusion and demonstrates consistency in grade and mineralogical composition.

European Lithium says the data is strategically significant in the context of developing secure and diversified rare earth supply chains in Western jurisdictions. 

Hill Zone drill highlights

Drill hole DDH-009-13, collared within the Hill Zone, was drilled vertically to 64 metres and returned an average grade of 4,786 parts per million (ppm) or 0.48% TREO, including 26% heavy rare earth oxides (HREO). It also intersected 1.91% zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), 63 ppm tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), and 1,921 ppm niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅), with mineralisation remaining open at depth.

Drill hole DX-01, also from the Hill Zone, was drilled to 338 metres and recorded 4,209 ppm (0.42%) TREO with 24.45% HREO, 2.45% ZrO₂, 73 ppm Ta₂O₅, and 1,174 ppm Nb₂O₅. Additional elements included 267 ppm hafnium oxide (HfO₂) and 103 ppm gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃), suggesting broad mineralogical diversity.

Drill hole DX-02, positioned approximately 505 metres east of the Hill Zone, extended to 195 metres, yielding 4,211 ppm (0.42%) TREO with 24% HREO, 0.91% ZrO₂, 63 ppm Ta₂O₅, and 1,293 ppm Nb₂O₅, along with hafnium and gallium credits.

Fjord Zone drill highlights

Multiple drill holes collared within the Fjord Zone returned consistent results. DDH-001-13 (to 51.5 metres) reported 4,308 ppm (0.43%) TREO with 26% HREO, 1.7% ZrO₂ and 1,748 ppm Nb₂O₅. DDH-012-13 (80 metres) averaged 3,903 ppm (0.39%) TREO with 27% HREO, while DDH-003-13 (52 metres) delivered 4,140 ppm (0.41%) TREO and 1.6% ZrO₂.

Further intercepts from DDH-015B-13 (52 metres) and DDH-015A-13 (72 metres) also confirmed mineralisation continuity, with grades ranging between 0.38% and 0.41% TREO and heavy rare earths comprising 27% of the total.

Drill hole D306-13, collared about 400 metres east of the Fjord Zone, reached 328 metres and returned 4,539 ppm (0.45%) TREO with 27% HREO, alongside 1.7% ZrO₂ and 2,479 ppm Nb₂O₅.

Recent drill success

Drill hole A1-24, drilled to 40 metres, intersected 4,726 ppm (0.47%) TREO with 26.96% HREO, 1.82% ZrO₂, and notable values for Ta₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, HfO₂ and Ga₂O₃. Meanwhile, angled hole D7-14, drilled 60° east to 243 metres, returned 4,438 ppm (0.44%) TREO with 28% HREO, suggesting particularly rich heavy rare earth content in deeper zones.

Diamond Holes DDH 001-13, DDH 003-13, DDH 009-13, DDH 012-13, DDH 015A-13, DDH 015B-13 drilled 2013 and DDH A1-24 drilled in 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All holes reported mineralisation open at depth, reinforcing the large-scale potential of the Tanbreez project.

Opportunity to increase the MRE

The consistent high-grade drilling results offer a strong opportunity for European Lithium to expand its current 45 million ton maiden resource through the upcoming 2025 drilling programs, which are pending final approval from the Greenland government.

“Our exploration and in-country field crews are currently mobilising to Tanbreez for the forthcoming field season preparing for resource drilling,” Sage said.

“After recently announcing the MRE of ~45MT of REEs @ 0.38% and the robust economic results from the Tanbreez scoping study showing the NPV of US$2.4 ~US$3.0 billion on a 10% and 8% discount and an IRR of 162% before tax, we are assembling a highly experienced in-country management and project team in Greenland and Australia. 

“Our team is moving quickly to the next major milestone measuring the true potential of the Tanbreez Project that is gaining significant interest globally.”