NORTHERN RARE EARTH
GOUIN EAST PROJECT
Access & Location
The Gouin East Niobium-REE project is located 120 km west of Saint-Félicien (Lac St-Jean region), Québec
- 95 claims covering 5,415 hectares, 54.2 km2 (NTS 32B/09)
- 100% owned by Northern Rare Earth (via option from Les Ressources Tectonic Inc.)
- 75 km southwest of hwy 167 & railroad
- 20 km southwest of major power line
- Easy access via numerous recent gravel roads and active logging network
- 200 km west of Niobec Mine — the only primary niobium producer in a politically stable country
Geological Setting
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Striking regional magnetic low anomaly typical of alkaline-carbonatite complexes
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Hosted within Grenville Province gneisses — same setting as Niobec
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Mag inversion reveals a deep-rooted, sub-vertical cylinder shape characteristic of carbonatite intrusions
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Multiple peripheral alkaline dykes, syenites, and fenitisation (sodic/potassic/carbonate alteration) surround the anomaly
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Carbonatite boulders and nepheline pegmatoids identified on surface
Our exploration model is based directly on Niobec — one of only three primary niobium producers worldwide.
Regional total field mag Gouin East complex
Regional total fied mag Niobec complex
Mag inversion defines a deep-rooted sub-vertical cylinder shape, typical of carbonatite complexes
Previous Exploration
2018–2023 exploration highlights (multi-operator):
- Discovery of mineralized boulders and strong niobium anomalies around the prominent low magnetic anomaly
- Helicopter-borne magnetic survey + 3D inversion (Fancamp)
- Prospecting, soil sampling, and 557 m sonic drilling (17 holes) for till sampling (Niobay Metals)
- Tectonic re-processed all sonic till samples for heavy minerals (pyrochlore-resistant) using coarser fraction + pXRF
- Multiple thin-section studies confirming fenitisation — diagnostic of carbonatite systems
The complex has never been drill-tested — representing significant discovery upside.
Key Results & Potential
- Till anomalies up to 15× background for Nb₂O₅ and Zr in heavy mineral fraction, showing clear glacial dispersion train down-ice from the anomaly
- Fenitisation confirmed in bottom-of-hole rock samples (weak to intense); one sample interpreted as “proximal to carbonatite contact”
- Carbonatite boulders with Nb₂O₅ grades 0.09–0.12% (xenoliths up to 0.36%) and TREO up to 0.52%
- Peripheral syenite dykes grading up to 0.92% Nb₂O₅ in outcrop
- Three high-priority diamond drill targets already defined (two Nb-focused, one REE-focused)
Potential: Confirmation of a new carbonatite complex in Canada would be a major catalyst — historically, 1 in 20 carbonatites reaches production.
