Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) finds high-grade niobium and rare earths at Yangibana Project

Hastings Technology Metals reported results from recent geological mapping and rock chip sampling at its Yangibana Project, revealing high-grade niobium, rare earth, and hafnium-rich zircon mineralisation.

Multiple carbonatite-related ironstone intrusions ranging from 100m to 650m in strike have been mapped east of the Bald Hill deposit footprint.

The fieldwork focused on an area encompassing 3,000m of combined ironstone strike.

Louis Schürmann, the chief geologist at Hastings, stated, "The success of the geological mapping and rock chip sampling to the east of the current Bald Hill pit underscores the multi-commodity exploration potential that remains within the Yangibana Project. Further mapping and sampling preparations are underway as a prelude to drilling at this prospect."

Of the 104 rock chip samples taken, 22% exceed 1.0% Nb2O5, peaking at an exceptional 23.69% Nb2O5.

Additionally, findings show that 56% of the samples contain between 0.25% to 8.91% TREO, with an average content of 1.21% TREO.

Nine percent of samples recorded ZrO2 values higher than 0.1%, averaging a ZrO2/HfO2 ratio of 17.8.

The company's Principal Mine Planning Engineer, Ravi Reddy, indicated that the capability exists to recover additional critical metals with minor changes to current plant design and mine plans.

An updated mineral resource estimate, including ferro-columbite, zircon, and hafnium, will be available by September, potentially extending the mine's life.

Hastings Technology Metals is an ASX-listed rare earths company focused on the development of its 100% owned Yangibana Rare Earths Project.

The company's flagship Yangibana Project, located 250km north-east of Carnarvon in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, covers a total area of approximately 650km 2 and is underpinned by one of the world's most highly valued deposits of neodymium and praseodymium.