First Tin (LSE:1SN), the AIM-listed tin development company with projects in Australia and Germany, has found rare earth element (REE) and technology metal mineralisation at a previously unrecognised prospect within its Taronga tenement package in New South Wales.
The Blatherarm Prospect, located approximately 20km northeast of the Taronga Tin Project, was identified by company geologists while sampling old workings for tin.
Rock chip samples from pegmatitic and biotitic zones within the Mole Leucogranite returned grades including cerium at up to 1.52%, beryllium at up to 1.47%, neodymium at up to 5,020 parts per million (ppm), and dysprosium at up to 419ppm.
The suite spans multiple heavy rare earths, among them dysprosium, terbium and praseodymium, which are critical inputs for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Soil sampling has delineated several zones exceeding 100 metres in strike length based on dysprosium results above 16ppm, though the extent, continuity and economic significance of the mineralisation have not yet been established.
Separately, soil sampling identified a north-south tin anomaly 200 metres long and 30 metres wide grading above 200ppm tin, with rock chips returning up to 0.34% tin and 0.26% tungsten.
Next steps include detailed geological mapping, extended soil and rock chip sampling, and preparation of drill targets, Chief Executive Bill Scotting said.
