More rare earths, more gold, less gas 

Cerium is the most abundant of the rare earths and previous drilling at a South Australian prospect hit ore containing up to 1.2 per cent of that metal.

It is used in glass polishing, lighting, as a catalyst in petroleum production and has applications in the nuclear sector.

When, over previous decades, the former Western Mining, the former MIM, the former CRA and pre-Billiton BHP explored the Maitland project, rare earths were probably of least interest, but the cerium results went into the data file anyway. They also found copper, gold and uranium.

Click here for more on recent cerium, gold and gas findings.

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