Core Energy Minerals (ASX:CR3) has launched its fully funded 2026 exploration program at the Itambe Rare Earth Element Project in Bahia, Brazil.
Situated within the highly prospective Rocha da Rocha province, the project covers 317km2 of ground recently acquired from Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO).
The current campaign focuses on high-grade soil anomalies—some peaking at 5,123ppm TREO—that remain open for expansion.
The company's immediate work plan involves 400m of auger drilling to test the clay-rich regolith profile and 600 new soil samples to explore previously untested areas.
Beyond Itambe, Core Energy is advancing its Tunas and Campo Largo projects in southern Brazil to assess further mineralisation.
Managing Director Tony Greenaway confirmed that this systematic approach aims to define high-priority targets by the end of March, clearing the way for a maiden drilling campaign to commence in the second quarter of 2026.