Assays from metallurgical drilling at Octava Minerals’ Byro rare earth elements and lithium project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region have backed up previously defined high-grade mineralisation.
One hit jagged 500 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO), 375ppm lithium oxide and 523ppm vanadium pentoxide over a 50-metre intercept.
Two wide holes measuring 96 millimetres in diameter – known as HQ3 core drill holes – were completed for 204m. The holes were designed to provide fresh samples for metallurgical extraction test work.
The new results supported historical drilling that previously confirmed mineralisation across a 30-kilometre strike. If further assays along strike return similar results, Octava may be sitting on a low-cost sedimentary basin with the legs to become a very large-scale development.
Management believes Byro’s black shales could represent a first for Australia’s rare earth elements and lithium production landscape. Unlike traditional hard-rock deposits, black shale-hosted mineralisation offers the potential for large-scale, low-cost extraction, similar to other major global rare earth element operations.
Metallurgical test work will focus on beneficiation and extraction processes to establish the best practical processing pathway.
Octava Minerals managing director Bevan Wakelam said: “We will commence initial metallurgical test work to determine the viability of extracting these metals from the black shale at Byro.”
The project is housed within two exploration licences spanning 798 square kilometres, 220km southeast of Carnarvon on the Byro Plains, and is already covered by native title agreements.
The site features prime access to key infrastructure, including the commercial Port of Geraldton, reliable power from the northwest gas pipeline and potential future integration with Western Australia’s government-backed green energy initiatives.
Octava has also been busy chasing up historic grades at its promising Yallalong antimony project in WA’s Mid West region. Hits from a recent 41-hole reverse circulation program included 10m running at 1.11 per cent antimony from 12m, including a 1m hit of 9pc antimony.
The company is now studying the results at Yallalong before determining its next steps.
The confirmation of historic grades at Byro comes at a time of burgeoning global demand for critical minerals on the back of geopolitical tensions.
With governments worldwide prioritising secure and sustainable supply chains, Australia is rapidly finding itself in the box seat as a stable jurisdiction for the next generation of rare earths and lithium production.
As Octava advances its metallurgical testing program, punters will likely be watching closely for further results to prove up the company’s working theory that Byro holds the key to a rich source of low-cost critical metals.
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By James Pearson
