ActivEX Finds Rare Earth Anomalism Across 8km at Aramac With 55km Still Untested
Key Takeaways
- ActivEX's first grid-based soil sampling at the Aramac Project returned 28 samples above 1,000ppm TREE, with a peak of 1,490ppm — and the pXRF instrument used can only detect 5 of the 14 REE elements, meaning true values are likely higher.
- The anomalism spans 8km of tested strike within a 55km N-S scarp trend, meaning roughly 85% of the prospective corridor remains completely untested.
- Multi-element anomalism at the Dunns Road Prospect — including zinc peaking at 1,590ppm and barium at 705ppm — points to a broader multi-commodity system, not a single-element REE target.
- All 101 soil samples and 7 rock samples have been submitted to ALS in Townsville for full laboratory assay, with results pending and expected to refine targeting for the next phase.
- The planned 2026/2027 programme follows a capital-efficient sequence: extended surface geochemistry across the full 55km trend, drone magnetic survey, then aircore drilling where the evidence is strongest.
Rare earth anomalism identified across 8km of Central Queensland strike
ActivEX Limited has completed its first major grid-based soil sampling programme at its Aramac Project in Central Queensland, with preliminary pXRF results revealing widespread rare earth element (REE) anomalism. A total of 28 soil samples returned Total Rare Earth Elements (TREE = Ce+Pr+Nd+Y+La) above 1,000ppm, reaching a maximum of 1,490ppm TREE. These are preliminary readings from a handheld Niton XL3t pXRF instrument and are subject to confirmation by laboratory assay — all 101 soil samples have been submitted to ALS in Townsville for full Au, multielement, and REE analyses. Importantly, the pXRF can only read 5 of the 14 REE elements, meaning true TREE values are likely higher than the figures reported here.
The soil grid was established along 8km of strike on a 250m N-S x 200m E-W spacing within tenement EPM 28644 (Fortuna), which is 100% held by ActivEX. Seven rock samples were also collected and submitted to ALS alongside the soil samples.
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What is a Goethitic Gossan and why does it matter for REE exploration
A Goethitic Gossan is an iron-rich, oxidised zone that forms at the surface when sulphide-bearing rocks are exposed to long-term weathering. Think of it as a chemical fingerprint left at the surface by mineralised rock below. Because the weathering process concentrates metals and REEs, a gossan acts as a cost-effective guide to what may lie at depth, making surface soil sampling a logical first step before committing to expensive drilling.
At Aramac, ActivEX identified a schistose black iron-rich subcrop at the base of a prominent 15m-high N-S scarp during initial exploration. Petrography completed in January 2025 confirmed this material as a goethitic gossan, with a mineralogy comprising goethite, hematite, psilomelane, quartz, and chlorite. The soil grid was then designed to trace this gossan’s 8km tested extent, which forms part of a much larger 55km scarp trend that remains largely unexplored.
Managing Director Mark Derriman
“…What is more exciting is the soil sampling has located zones of elevated REE to 1,490ppm (Ce + Pr + Nd + Ce + Y), these being the only REE elements that the pXRF can read.”
Multi-element anomalism signals a broader mineralised system
The soil grid returned anomalism well beyond REE alone. Elevated base metal results were concentrated around the Dunns Road Prospect, pointing to a multi-commodity system rather than a single-element target.
The key pXRF results across all reported elements are:
- TREE: 28 samples above 1,000ppm, maximum 1,490ppm
- Barium (Ba): 9 samples above 500ppm, maximum 705ppm (concentrated near Dunns Road Prospect)
- Manganese (Mn): 5 samples between 1,000 and 1,260ppm (northern soil grid)
- Zinc (Zn): 3 samples between 400 and 1,590ppm (concentrated near Dunns Road Prospect)
- Iron (Fe): Elevated values spatially associated with outcropping Goethitic Gossan
| Element | Peak Result | Samples Above Threshold | Location Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TREE (Ce+Pr+Nd+Y+La) | 1,490ppm | 28 samples >1,000ppm | Distributed across 8km grid |
| Barium (Ba) | 705ppm | 9 samples >500ppm | Near Dunns Road Prospect |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1,260ppm | 5 samples 1,000–1,260ppm | Northern soil grid |
| Zinc (Zn) | 1,590ppm | 3 samples 400–1,590ppm | Near Dunns Road Prospect |
| Iron (Fe) | Elevated % | Multiple samples | Associated with Goethitic Gossan outcrops |
The spatial association between elevated Fe and Goethitic Gossan outcrop reinforces the gossan as a structural control on mineralisation across the grid. Critically, only 8km of the 55km scarp trend has been tested to date — a meaningful statement of exploration upside at this early stage.
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What comes next: the 2026/2027 exploration roadmap
Laboratory results from ALS are pending and will be evaluated alongside the pXRF data to determine the scope and targeting of the next phase of grid-based sampling. The planned 2026/2027 exploration programme is designed to systematically extend coverage and de-risk the project before committing drill capital:
- Further surficial geochemical exploration along the full 55km strike extent of the prominent N-S scarp
- Targeted geological and regolith mapping and rock sampling
- Drone magnetic survey along the base of the scarp targeting the Goethitic Gossan trend
- Aircore drilling of the elevated REE trend, with deeper drilling in the vicinity of the Goethitic Gossan
The sequence is methodical and capital-efficient: surface geochemistry and mapping first, geophysics to refine structural targets, then drilling where the evidence is strongest. With the vast majority of the 55km scarp trend still untested, the Aramac Project remains at an early stage with considerable ground yet to be assessed.
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