HomeMiningIndiana Resources (ASX:IDA)

8m at 1.3% Titanium Spurs Indiana’s 2025 Drilling Priority

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Indiana Resources has pinpointed promising titanium source rocks at its Carne Titanium Prospect in South Australia, setting the stage for a high-priority drilling campaign in 2025 alongside ongoing gold exploration.

  • Titanium source rocks identified at Carne Prospect, EL6587
  • Previous drilling returned 8m at 1.3% titanium from 12m depth
  • Carne located 20km east of Petratherm’s Rosewood Titanium deposit
  • 2025 exploration program prioritizes follow-up drilling and sampling
  • Diamond drilling continues at Minos Gold Deposit with results pending
Image source middle. ©

Titanium Potential Emerges in South Australia

Indiana Resources Limited (ASX: IDA) has revealed encouraging signs of titanium mineralisation at its Carne Titanium Prospect, situated within the company’s expansive 5,713 km² Gawler Craton project in South Australia. The identification of source rocks analogous to those feeding the nearby Rosewood Titanium deposit, owned by Petratherm, marks a significant step forward in Indiana’s exploration efforts.

Historical drilling at Carne, notably hole TA06RC019, returned an intercept of 8 metres grading 1.3% titanium from 12 metres depth. This result, while preliminary, aligns with geological mapping and petrological analyses that confirm the presence of the Muckanippie Suite Anorthosite, the same rock unit that underpins the Rosewood deposit’s titanium mineralisation.

Strategic Location and Geological Credentials

The Carne Prospect’s location, just 20 kilometres east of Rosewood, situates it within a proven titanium province. Magnetic anomalies detected in the area mirror those associated with Rosewood, further reinforcing the prospect’s potential. Indiana’s recent field reconnaissance in early January 2025 has paved the way for a formal permitting process, enabling a comprehensive exploration campaign this year.

Indiana’s CEO, Lindsay Owler, emphasised the strategic importance of this development: "The Carne Titanium Prospect has excellent geological credentials and the right address for a Titanium discovery. Indiana's 2025 exploration program is shaping-up to be fast-paced and exciting, with several advanced gold and now titanium targets set to be drilled." The company is well-funded and focused on advancing these targets with urgency.

2025 Exploration Program and Broader Portfolio

The upcoming exploration program at Carne will include detailed mapping, sampling, and aircore drilling aimed at identifying sedimentary traps such as palaeochannels where titanium minerals may have concentrated. This approach reflects a nuanced understanding of the local geology and sedimentary processes that could enhance titanium recovery potential.

Alongside the titanium focus, Indiana continues to advance its gold interests at the Minos Gold Deposit, where diamond drilling targets high-grade extensions. The company anticipates releasing further gold assay results in the coming weeks, underscoring a diversified and dynamic exploration portfolio within the Gawler Craton.

Implications for Indiana and the Market

With titanium prices buoyed by demand in aerospace, automotive, and pigment industries, Indiana’s identification of a credible titanium source rock near an established deposit could attract significant investor interest. The dual focus on titanium and gold exploration enhances the company’s growth prospects and positions it well within a competitive resource sector.

However, the exploration remains at an early stage, and the true extent and economic viability of the titanium mineralisation at Carne will depend on forthcoming drilling results and subsequent resource assessments.

Bottom Line?

Indiana’s 2025 drilling campaign at Carne could unlock a new titanium frontier, complementing its gold ambitions and reshaping its resource profile.

Questions in the middle?

  • How extensive and continuous are the titanium mineralised zones at Carne?
  • What are the expected timelines and milestones for the 2025 drilling program?
  • How will titanium market dynamics influence Indiana’s strategic focus and funding?