Petratherm has confirmed significant titanium-rich mineralisation across a 15km2 area at its Rosewood heavy mineral sand prospect within the Muckanippie project in South Australia.
The mineralisation is open in three directions, highlighting Rosewood’s large-scale potential.
In October 2024, Petratherm conducted a 100-hole vertical aircore drill program at the Muckanippie project, with 50 holes totalling 1697m drilled at Rosewood.
Initial assays returned strong results, including 22m at 19.1 per cent heavy minerals (HM) from 8m in drillhole 24RW020, with results from the remaining 45 drillholes reinforcing the continuity and thickness of high-grade mineralisation.
Notable intersections include 28m at 13.6 per cent HM from 10m in drillhole 24RW019, which also contained an 8m section grading 26.3 per cent HM from 29m, and drillhole 24RW005 returning 25 metres at 7.1 per cent HM from 8m.
“These results confirm exceptional heavy mineral grade continuity and thickness over a very large area,” Petratherm chief executive officer Peter Reid said.
“Encouraging thick, high-grade mineralisation occurs right up to the extents of current drilling and we look forward to step-out exploration drilling in the coming weeks, especially to the north, which has significant potential for additional mineralisation.”
Reid said Petratherm’s next phase of exploration would also involve the collection of bulk heavy mineral samples to expedite initial trial mineral-separation testing.
“This work will investigate ore recoveries and ore products for potential sale,” he said.
Historical drilling at Rosewood suggests mineralisation extends at least 3km further north, while mineralogy results suggest the prospect’s HMS contain over 95 per cent valuable heavy minerals, primarily comprising high-value titanium ores such as rutile and pseudorutile.
As Petratherm carries out additional drilling, the company expects further results from other HMS targets to be available within the next two weeks.
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