Volta Reports Major Resource Expansion at Springer REE Deposit, Demonstrating Substantial Growth in Both Indicated & Inferred Categories
Executive Summary
- Volta Metals announced a dramatically expanded mineral resource estimate for the Springer REE deposit – Indicated resources increased 1,248% to 56.6 Mt at 0.70 % TREO and Inferred resources grew 841% to 119.5 Mt at 0.58 % TREO, placing the project among North America’s top‑10 REE deposits.
- The estimate is based on 26 drill holes (7,721 m) and uses a C$43/t net metal revenue cut‑off; average NMR values are $159/t for Indicated and $128/t for Inferred material.
- A fully funded 6,000‑m Phase‑2 drilling program is underway, and additional high‑grade gallium results (not yet included) are forthcoming, underscoring further upside potential.
Key Details
- Resource Summary (as of Dec 31 2025):
- Indicated – 56.6 Mt @ 0.70 % TREO (346 ppm Pr₆O₁₁, 1,185 ppm Nd₂O₃, 38 ppm Dy₂O₃, 9 ppm Tb₄O₇) – NMR $159/t.
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Inferred – 119.5 Mt @ 0.58 % TREO (282 ppm Pr₆O₁₁, 947 ppm Nd₂O₃, 31 ppm Dy₂O₃, 7 ppm Tb₄O₇) – NMR $128/t.
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High‑Grade Cores:
- Near‑surface Indicated core: 11.5 Mt @ 1.10 % TREO.
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Near‑surface Inferred core: 3 Mt @ 1.16 % TREO.
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Assay Basis & Modelling:
- 26 drill holes, 7,721 m total; 4,429 assays and 532 density samples.
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Two wireframes (high‑grade vs low‑grade) modelled in Leapfrog Geo with a nominal NMR cut‑off of C$220 for domain separation.
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Cut‑off & Cost Assumptions:
- Net metal revenue (NMR) cut‑off: C$43/t, incorporating processing (C$40/t), G&A (C$4/t), and mining cost (C$4/t moved).
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Metal price assumptions (US$/kg): Pr 130, Nd 130, Dy 440, Tb 1,350; exchange rate 1.35 C$:US$.
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Metallurgical & Economic Parameters:
- Recoveries based on 2012 testwork: Pr 72.7 %, Nd 48.5 %, Dy 41.8 %, Tb 43.8 %.
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Revenue drivers are Pr₆O₁₁ and Nd₂O₃ (≈90 % of total).
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Infrastructure Highlights:
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Located ~70 km east of Sudbury, 15 km north of Sturgeon Falls; access via Highway 64, Trans‑Canada Highway, CN rail line, hydroelectric power from nearby dams.
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Future Work & Upside:
- Phase‑2 drill program (6,000 m) fully funded and ongoing.
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Historical and recent high‑grade gallium assay results (Jan 26 2026 & Feb 11 2026) not yet incorporated; additional gallium data pending.
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Regulatory/Technical Disclosure:
- Estimate prepared by Katharine Masun, P.Geo., Qualified Person under NI 43‑101.
- Full technical report to be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of release.
Notable Quotes
“Springer has reached a new scale… placing us among the top 10 largest rare earth deposits in North America, reinforcing the significant growth potential of the asset.” – Kerem Usenmez, President & CEO, Volta Metals Ltd.