Muckanippie Drilling Yields Up to 29% Heavy Minerals Over 8km Strike Length
Narryer Metals reports significant high-grade heavy mineral concentrations over an 8km strike at the Muckanippie Titanium Project, highlighting promising potential for a major deposit.
- High-grade heavy mineral concentrations up to 29% HM identified
- Mineralisation extends over an 8km strike length at Rosewood prospect
- Drilling reveals shallow mineralisation starting from surface
- Discovery of elevated zirconium oxide levels indicating premium product potential
- Further drilling planned to expand resource understanding
Significant Drilling Success at Muckanippie
Narryer Metals Limited (ASX: NYM) has announced compelling drilling results from its joint venture tenure at the Muckanippie Titanium Project in South Australia. The recent exploration campaign has revealed substantial high-grade heavy mineral (HM) concentrations, with assays reaching up to 29% HM in some drill holes. This discovery extends the known mineralisation at the Rosewood prospect to an impressive 8-kilometre strike length, underscoring the project's potential scale.
Shallow and High-Grade Mineralisation
The drilling program, consisting of 11 holes across two fence lines spaced 2 kilometres apart, has confirmed that the mineralisation is relatively shallow, starting from surface in several locations. Noteworthy intercepts include 16 metres at 12.1% HM from 14 metres depth and 5 metres at 17.8% HM from 7 metres depth, among others. These grades are significant for heavy mineral sands projects and suggest a potentially economically viable deposit.
Zirconium Oxide Discovery Adds Value
Beyond titanium, the exploration team identified elevated levels of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) within the heavy mineral concentrates, particularly in the northern extent of the mineralisation. Zirconium is a high-value commodity often commanding a premium price, which could enhance the overall economics of the deposit. Narryer Metals is currently conducting model analysis to better understand the distribution and concentration of zirconium within the resource.
Ongoing Exploration and Future Prospects
The company anticipates further results from ongoing drilling at other prospects within the joint venture tenure, including Nardoo, Dukes, and Claypan. Approximately 50 drill holes are planned at Claypan and Nardoo, with Petratherm Limited set to continue drilling activities in early March 2025. These efforts aim to delineate the full extent of the heavy mineralisation and support future resource estimation.
Strategic Implications for Narryer Metals
Executive Chairman Richard Bevan expressed optimism about the findings, highlighting the potential for a significant heavy minerals deposit at Muckanippie. The combination of shallow, high-grade mineralisation and the presence of valuable zirconium oxide positions the project as a promising asset in Narryer Metals’ portfolio. The collaboration with Petratherm Limited continues to be fruitful, with both parties advancing exploration in a strategic geological domain.
As the company progresses with its drilling programs and awaits further assay results, investors and analysts will be keenly watching how these developments translate into resource upgrades and potential project economics.
Bottom Line?
Narryer Metals’ expanding titanium discovery at Muckanippie sets the stage for a potentially transformative heavy minerals project.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming drilling results at Nardoo, Dukes, and Claypan reveal about the overall resource potential?
- How might the elevated zirconium oxide concentrations impact the project's valuation and market positioning?
- What are the timelines and next steps for advancing from exploration to resource definition and potential development?
