Chile Cobalt announced the expansion of exploration activities and land acquisitions, beginning an accelerated development program at the NeoRe rare earth project in southern Chile.
The company partnered with NeoRe, the project’s owner and operator, to improve resource reliability and technical appreciation, establishing a revenue work program earlier this year.
NeoRe began full-scale exploration at the site in January and February this year, deploying core geology and exploration teams to move the project into its implementation phase.
So far, drilling operations have yielded about 192m, which is higher than the rare earth concentration of 1,060 parts per million (ppm).
Many surface samples also reported values in excess of 800ppm.
In a parallel effort, NeoRe expanded its project footprint by awarding seven new concessions, adding nearly 2,100 hectares to the existing area.
Exploration initiatives have identified more than 20 potential targets in the mineral-rich district.
Under NeoRe’s conditional filing system, surface samples that promise all rare earth oxide grades may lead to more concessional filings later in the year.
The company aims to develop the project on a district-wide scale while methodically evaluating various potential sites in the region.
The Accelerated Work Program initiated by Cobalt and Newry of Chile is an accelerated exploration, technical validation and project definition.
The program is structured for part completion by July 2026 and facilitates early evaluation of potential development scenarios.
NeoRe plans to develop its drilling operations with two parallel crews supported by a growing team in various disciplines including geology, metallurgy and sustainability.
The goal is to accelerate resource validation, delineate high-grade zones and evaluate multiple potential mineralized areas for future modular development.
Beyond exploration, NeoRe has begun conceptual engineering for a proposed modular processing strategy.
This includes designing a crushing and milling circuit for metallurgical testing and standardization of mineral feed for permit preparation.
NeoRe CEO Arturo Albornoz said: “Our goal at NeoRe is not only to advance individual exploration targets but also to define and develop a new rare earth district in southern Chile.
“Through systematic exploration, strategic land consolidation and collaboration with leading technical and academic partners, we are working to unlock the region’s potential and position it as a meaningful future contributor to Chile’s globally important mineral supply.”
