OD6 Metals Limited announced that assay results have been received for the maiden drill program completed at its Grass Patch Project near Esperance in Western Australia, which confirm the presence of clay hosted rare earth element (REE) mineralisation. The maiden Grass Patch drilling program was designed to target clay basin areas identified and optimised through a combination of the recent Airborne Electromagnetic Survey (AEM) and analysis of regional anomalies. The completed program included 93 holes for 3,399m of drilling at an average depth of 36.5m.

All assays were undertaken using 4-acid soluble digestion, and as such do not return results for resistate non-acid soluble REE minerals. Drill assays have returned significant Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grades using a >750 ppm and >300ppm cut-off grade. Clay thickness intervals up to 59m with a grade above 1000 ppm TREO have been recorded (GPAC0082 at >300pppm cut-off).

Of note are the high Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides (Mag REO) levels encountered in a number of areas. Heavy Rare Earth Oxides (HREO) and Critical Rare Earth Oxides (CREO) are also observed to be at elevated levels. Drilling at the Belgian Prospect area has encountered clay hosted rare earths across a 25km x 22km area, with exploration activities limited to road reserve areas only.

The higher grades >1000ppm TREO were holes located to the north west, including 59m, at 1091ppm TREO from 24m (GPAC0082). Mag REO grades were generally above 20% of TREO with a maximum grade of 34.5% of TREO. Subject to positive metallurgical tests the Belgian Prospect Area will be a key focus area for future drilling.

The Scaddan Prospect had only 6 drill holes undertaken as part of this drill program, with all holes encountering strong TREO grades and clay thickness between 9 to 18m over a 8km by 1km area. The Airborne Electromagnetic Survey (AEM) survey suggests the clay hosted rare earths will potentially be located in a 12km x 12km target area. Mag REO grades are generally around 25% of TREO.

Given the potential scale suggested by AEM, further exploration of the area, dependent on metallurgical results, will be undertaken. Drilling at the Circle Valley Prospect has encountered clay thicknesses between 9 to 22m and TREO grades >300ppm over an area approximately 16 x 7km. The Airborne Electromagnetic Survey (AEM) survey suggests the clay hosted rare earths will potentially be located in a 16km x 15km area.

Mag REO grades are generally >20% of TREO. Pending results of metallurgical testing, further exploration is anticipated. Despite a number of drill intersections returning TREO grades >300ppm, no further drilling in the Browns and Logan Prospect areas is anticipated, at this stage, given the limited footprint identified by the AEM survey.