Bottom Brook is a rare earth element exploration project in western Newfoundland, where Sorrento completed ten drill holes at the U3 Prospect in 2026.
The project comprises 16 mineral licences totalling approximately 15,150 hectares, about 40 km south of Corner Brook. Secondary roads provide access from the adjacent Trans-Canada Highway.
Sorrento holds an option to earn up to a 100% interest in Bottom Brook.
Drilling at U3 returned broad, near-surface intervals of total rare earth oxides (TREO). The plan below places Sorrento’s 2026 holes alongside the historical drilling.
Select any map or section to enlarge it.
From 42 m downhole.
From 69 m downhole.
From 10 m downhole.
Intervals are reported as core lengths. True widths are estimated at approximately 70–90% of core length. Results are preliminary and insufficient to define a mineral resource.
Bottom Brook lies in the Steel Mountain Subzone of the Humber Zone, where Proterozoic metamorphic rocks are intruded by the Hare Hill granite complex.
In 2026, drilling identified REE mineralization in massive to semi-massive magnetite hosted by amphibolite, alkali-granite and quartz-feldspathic igneous rocks.
The mineralization is dominated by REE-rich monazite, with lesser zircon, allanite, apatite and trace cerium carbonates.
Scanning electron microscopy and mineral liberation analysis (SEM-MLA) was carried out in 2023 by Terra Rosetta Inc. (Dr. Derek Wilton) on several field samples.
The work identified monazite as an important REE host. This mineralogical information supports the next stage of metallurgical investigation into recovery characteristics.
Values below are area percentages measured in thin section, rather than chemical assay grades. Sample G4 returned 35.98 area % total REE and 31.85 area % monazite.
| Sample | Total REE (area %) | Monazite (area %) |
|---|---|---|
| G4 | 35.98 | 31.85 |
| REE-1 | 18.86 | 16.45 |
| Q2 | 6.83 | 5.69 |
| Q4 | 5.58 | 3.32 |
| Q3 | 4.19 | 3.36 |
| Q1(2) | 3.79 | 1.99 |
| TR-4 | 3.52 | 1.24 |
| Q1 | 2.19 | 1.23 |
| TR-2 | 1.98 | 0.31 |
| TR-3 | 1.82 | 0.32 |
| TR-1 | 1.27 | 0.25 |
| TR-5 | 0.62 | 0.08 |
Surface sampling and regional geophysics provide context for exploration beyond U3. The equivalent-thorium and magnetic maps show responses associated with the Hare Hill granite complex and surrounding rocks.
Altered granite with rusty veins, approximately 1.75 km northeast of U3. A grab sample assayed 2.87% TREO.
A rusty pegmatite vein in altered, biotite-rich granite, 875 m northeast of U3. Grab samples returned 5.21% and 6.54% TREO.
Hematite-rich granite with magnetite. Samples from the east and west showings returned 4.78% and 4.89% TREO, respectively.
Grab samples are selective and may not represent overall mineralization. Geophysical responses are exploration indicators, not assay grades.
Sign up to receive updates on our latest news and events. Your email will never be shared or sold and you can opt out at any time.
No, I don't want to receive updates