Alces Lake Project

Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

Actual Picture of Alces Lake Project in Saskatchewan

Overview

Discover what makes Alces Lake unique

As the world shifts towards cleaner energy, Appia looks to play a key role in supplying global demand to meet this shift using the REE resources found at Alces Lake.


Experience a project where Rare Earth Elements, Uranium, and more converge under one ownership, delivering unmatched potential in a strategically advantageous location. Welcome to Alces Lake.


The Alces Lake project redefines what it means to stand out in the world of resource exploration in Canada. 

Rare Earth Elements (REE) at the Core

Alces Lake is all about critical rare earth elements, with a focus on Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr). These elements are the lifeblood of permanent magnet production, cementing our vital role in the global supply chain.

A Spectrum of Resources

Alces Lake doesn’t stop at REE. This unique property also encompasses Uranium, Thorium, Phosphates, and Gallium. This diverse resource portfolio not only enhances operational value, it establishes Appia as a significant player in multi-resource sectors.

100% Interest

The entire Alces Lake project is under the exclusive ownership of Appia. This complete ownership grants us the freedom, control, and innovation-driving power to shape the future.

Development Potential

With a vast expanse covering 38,522 hectares (approximately 95,191 acres), the Alces Lake project unfolds boundless opportunities. This expansive Canadian Shield area is where Appia paints the future of REE and resource development in northern Saskatchewan, offering both scale and promise, with a total of 34,248.29 metres across 316 drill holes drilled to date.

Located Near New North American Rare Earth's Processing Facility

Rare Earth Element Extraction Lab
Source: Click here
The SRC (Saskatchewan Research Council) is building a state-of-the-art Monazite/REE processing facility in Saskatoon, SK. Appia is taking a significant leap forward in its dedication to resource excellence and innovation by processing monazite-bearing Rare Earth Elements (REE) from Alces Lake at this cutting-edge facility. This endeavor not only underscores Appia’s commitment but also holds the potential to establish Saskatchewan, Canada as a major REE producer, contributing to the global transition toward cleaner energy usage.

Location

Northern Saskatchewan

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alces lake

Location

The Alces Lake property is situated to the north of Lake Athabasca and within the Athabasca Basin region. It is positioned approximately 34 km east of Uranium City and 135 km west of Stony Rapids. An annual winter road is constructed to facilitate travel between Stony Rapids and Uranium City. Uranium City boasts a certified airport, access to hydroelectric power, a well-stocked grocery store, a convenient bulk fuel dispensary, a comprehensive fleet of heavy-duty construction equipment, and reliable telephone and internet communication services.

Alces Lake Camp

The geological team, led by Dr. Irvine R. Annesley, P.Geo, a distinguished academic figure in the Saskatchewan REE and uranium industry, contributes extensive expertise and academic leadership to their endeavors.

A state-of-the-art, all-season, permanent camp has been established at Alces Lake, equipped to comfortably accommodate up to 35 team members.

The project benefits from helicopter support, ensuring efficient operations and access to remote areas. Alces Lake remains accessible year-round, thanks to the strategic use of both plane and ice road transportation, allowing for continuous progress and adaptability to varying conditions.

Our all-season camp, spanning 100m x 75m, supports these efforts, along with two on-site drills for extensive exploration.

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Enriching Local and Global Landscapes:

The Positive Impact of the Alces Lake Project

Local Impact

Promoting Work, Resources, and Employment Expansion for the Local First Nations Community of Fond-du-Lac:

The project demonstrates a commitment to fostering growth and development within the local First Nations community of Fond-du-Lac, extending its focus beyond resource exploration. It actively seeks to create opportunities and employment for community members.

Through collaborative efforts, the project aims to provide not only jobs but also valuable resources and support to empower the local community. Initiatives focus on skill development, training, and sustainable practices that benefit both the project and the people who call this region home.

By working hand-in-hand with the Fond-du-Lac and surrounding communities, the project seeks to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the region, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for everyone involved.

Geology & Mineralization​

Some of the highest REE grades reported in the world are exposed on the surface in monazite

At the core of their exploration efforts lies monazite, a phosphate mineral rich in Rare Earth Elements (REE). These remarkable REE, within naturally occurring minerals, are distributed in varying concentrations dependent on the geological formations they inhabit, which can be broadly categorized into four main groups.

In the world of geological research, monazite stands as radioactive, dense, and paramagnetic mineral, with equivalent thorium (“Th”) being identified as the origin of its radioactivity. REE occur naturally in minerals, and their concentrations vary based on the geological origin of the rocks in which they are found. These rocks can be broadly classified into four categories:

Monazite mineralization is predominantly confined to biotite-rich schists and abyssal pegmatites. Monazite grains appear as orange to red crystals and form 1- to 15-cm thick massive lenses of millimeter-sized grains in the biotite schists and quartzo-feldspathic pegmatites. Cerium is the predominant REE in these minerals, with percentages reaching up to 21.80% of the total rock sample. Monazite crystals display a uniform distribution and high concentration of critical REE (CREE), such as neodymium (“Nd”) at up to 8.14% of the REE content and praseodymium (“Pr”) at up to 2.46% of the REE.

The high-grade areas, featuring REE concentrations above 20%, are primarily situated at the WRCB paragneiss-to-amphibolite boundary. The geochemistry of the associated pegmatite rocks plays a significant role, with those showing high concentrations of Fe2O3, MgO, and TiO2 being typically associated with high-grade REE. In contrast, pegmatites with higher levels of Na2O and K2O generally indicate lower REE concentrations.

In the larger geological context, older granitic rocks are observed to overlay younger metasedimentary rocks in the region. Notably, a significant regional fold in the northern part of the property, interrupted by the Alces Lake shear zone / St. Louis fault, is where the majority of the high-grade REE zones are located.

Throughout their exploration journey, tracking thorium has proven highly effective. Because of the presence of thorium in the monazite-bearing host rocks, tools such as airborne Th radiometrics and ground scintillometres have played a major role in discovering new REE zones, contributing significantly to groundbreaking discoveries.

High-Grade Mineralization

This category boasts the highest REE levels, with concentrations equal to or greater than 4.0%. These rocks are primarily located in biotite-rich pegmatites, glimmerites, and biotite-rich shear zones, often associated with sulfides. They are commonly found in the WRCB zone and a few zones in the Western Anomaly.

Medium-Grade Mineralization

Medium-grade rocks exhibit significant REE concentrations, falling in the range of 1.0 to 3.99 wt% TREO. These rocks are also found in amphibolite, quartzo-feldspathic pegmatites, biotite-rich pegmatites, and abyssal pegmatites.

Low-Grade Mineralization

In this group, rocks contain slightly higher REE levels, ranging from 0.1 to 0.99 wt% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). They are commonly discovered in rock types like amphibolite, quartzo-feldspathic pegmatites, biotite-rich pegmatites, and glimmerites.
High-grade monazite outcrop WRCB zone, Alces Lake Saskatchewan

Exploration

At Alces Lake, the commitment to exploration includes a diverse range of advanced techniques and tools. Exploration activity is underpinned by cutting-edge technology and the dedication of a skilled team, resulting in groundbreaking discoveries and valuable insights.

The WRCB Zone contains a core sample boasting an impressive 51.83 wt% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) and covers an area of 300m x 300m. Nearby, Magnet Ridge offers a core sample with up to 1.49 wt% TREO, covering a substantial 200m x 200m surface.

It’s the Western Anomaly that truly stands out, displaying numerous surface samples ranging from 4.0 to 15.0 wt% TREO within its vast 3km x 3km zone, with a peak core sample reaching 18.46 wt% TREO.

Our comprehensive strategy involves a range of surveys, from magnetics and VLF to Th, U, K radiometrics, to ground gravity, and EM, culminating in a total of 34,248.29 metres drilled across 316 drill holes.

The completion of the first phase of its 2023 drill program at the Magnet Ridge Zone marks a significant stride in the exploration of the Alces Lake project. With assays pending, this accomplishment underscores the Company’s commitment to advancing our understanding of the mineralization at Alces Lake and furthering our exploration goals.

Appia remains committed to unravelling the rich geological tapestry of Alces Lake, promising more discoveries in the chapters to come.

Learn More About Our Alces Lake Project

Get a more in-depth look at our maps, reports, exploration charts, historical work and data. We provide everything you’ll need to become well educated on our projects

Project News

Appia To Conduct A Targeted, High Resolution, Airborne Gravity Survey Over The REE-Rich Alces Lake Property, Saskatchewan, Canada

APPIA ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT GEOCHEMICAL CRITICAL REE ASSAY RESULTS AT ALCES LAKE PROJECT, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

APPIA RARE EARTHS & URANIUM – A YEAR IN REVIEW

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