Open-Ended Mineralisation at Rosewood Raises Questions on Project Scale and Viability

Exploration Breakthrough at Rosewood

Petratherm Limited (ASX: PTR) has delivered a compelling update from its Rosewood Heavy Mineral Sand (HMS) Prospect within the Muckanippie Project, northern Gawler Craton, South Australia. Results from 45 recently completed drill holes confirm a substantial titanium-rich mineralised zone extending over at least 15 square kilometres, with mineralisation remaining open to the north, east, and west. This scale and continuity mark Rosewood as a highly prospective project in the critical minerals space.

The drilling program, conducted in October 2024, involved vertical air-core holes targeting titanium-bearing heavy mineral sands. Noteworthy intersections include 28 metres at 13.6% heavy minerals (HM) from 10 metres depth, including 8 metres at an exceptional 26.3% HM, and 19 metres at 9.3% HM with high-grade intervals. These grades and thicknesses are significant for HMS deposits, indicating a robust and continuous mineralised system.

High-Value Mineralogy and Shallow Depths

Mineralogical analysis reveals that the heavy mineral sands at Rosewood contain over 95% valuable heavy minerals, predominantly high-titanium rutile products (including leucoxene and rutile) and pseudorutile. The titanium dioxide (TiO2) content averages above 93%, underscoring the quality of the resource. Importantly, mineralisation begins at shallow depths averaging just 5.7 metres, which could translate into lower strip ratios and more cost-effective extraction in future development scenarios.

The mineralised zone spans an east-west distance of approximately 8 kilometres, with widths ranging from 500 to 2,200 metres north-south. The continuity and thickness of mineralisation, combined with its shallow nature, provide a strong foundation for advancing the project toward resource definition and economic evaluation.

Open-Ended Potential and Strategic Next Steps

Drilling results indicate that mineralisation remains open along all drill traverses, particularly to the north where historical data suggests extensions of at least 3 kilometres beyond current drilling. This open-ended potential invites further exploration to delineate the full extent of the deposit.

CEO Peter Reid highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing the exceptional grade continuity and thickness over a large area. The company plans to undertake step-out drilling in the coming weeks, focusing on expanding the known mineralised footprint. Concurrently, Petratherm will collect bulk heavy mineral samples to accelerate metallurgical test work, aiming to validate ore recoveries and product quality using standard processing techniques.

These metallurgical studies will be critical in assessing the commercial viability of the titanium products, which are increasingly sought after for applications ranging from pigments to advanced materials in aerospace and energy sectors.

Broader Project Context and Outlook

The Rosewood Prospect is part of the broader Muckanippie Project, where Petratherm is exploring for a suite of critical minerals including titanium, vanadium, and platinum group elements. The project benefits from its location within a well-established mineral province and proximity to infrastructure, factors that enhance its development potential.

With further assay results from other Muckanippie targets expected imminently, and a planned drilling campaign to test both extensions and bulk sampling, Petratherm is positioning Rosewood as a cornerstone asset in its portfolio. The company’s methodical approach to exploration and resource evaluation reflects a commitment to unlocking value in a strategically important mineral sector.