PTR Minerals (ASX: PTR) has significantly expanded its high-grade Muckanippie titanium discovery in South Australia, with assay results from ongoing drilling at the Duke and Nardoo saprolite targets confirming the presence of high-grade titanium.
The company has so far completed 2,578 metres of drilling in 65 air core drill holes at the two prospects, which are located on tenement EL6715—a joint venture that PTR holds 70% interest in, and Narryer Metals (ASX: NYM) the other 30%.
Planning is underway for additional drill testing along a 16-kilometre long magnetic anomaly to expand the HM resource potential with mineralisation open along strike at both prospects.
VHM Component Potential
PTR has also identified the potential for a significant component of very high heavy minerals (VHM), and now plans to undertake bench scale metallurgical test work to determine the optimal process for concentrating the HM into a saleable product.
The company – which recently changed its name from Petratherm – says the shallow, thick, and high-grade heavy minerals (HM) in all recent drill holes assayed highlights significant potential for a large-scale free dig operation to compliment the nearby Rosewood HM discovery.
Best results at Duke included 60m at 39.3% HM from surface with 6m at 61.6% HM from 25m, along with 24m at 26.1% HM from surface.
Nardoo highlights were 35m at 31.5% HM from 18m, 44m at 23.9% HM from 1m, and 60m at 16.3% HM from surface.
Emerging Titanium Province
Chief executive officer Peter Reid said the successes at Duke and Nardoo enhance Muckanippie’s consideration as an emerging camp-style titanium province.
“Whilst the Rosewood project is the main focus for the company, the mineralisation at Duke and Nardoo continues to expand the high-grade mineralisation of the larger Muckanippie HM project," he said.
Exploration work at Rosewood now extends beyond 40 sq km and includes two extensive high-grade strandlines that remain open, which the company believes offers the potential for multiple large-scale HM systems.
“This potential is significantly enhanced with confirmation of the size, thickness, and high-grade nature of the saprolite-hosted HM mineralisation,” Mr Reid said.
“In particular, the titanium dominant mineral assemblage has the potential to complement future production at Rosewood."
