Titanium Discovery at CODA North Raises Questions on Project Viability
Enova Mining has reported a series of high-grade titanium mineralisation intercepts at its CODA North project in Brazil, with assays exceeding 15% TiO2, reinforcing the site's rare earth and multi-commodity potential.
- Multiple drill intercepts exceeding 15% titanium dioxide (TiO2)
- Strong continuity of mineralisation across extensive tenement area
- Close geochemical correlation between titanium, rare earth elements, and niobium
- Ongoing metallurgical testing to assess titanium extraction feasibility
- CODA North positioned as a strategic multi-commodity critical minerals project
Significant Titanium Mineralisation at CODA North
Enova Mining Limited (ASX, ENV) has announced compelling new drilling results from its CODA North project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, revealing multiple high-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) intercepts exceeding 15%. These results not only highlight the scale and quality of titanium mineralisation but also enhance the overall value proposition of the project’s rare earth element (REE) potential.
The drilling campaign, comprising both reverse circulation (RC) and diamond core holes, has demonstrated strong homogeneous continuity of TiO2 mineralisation across a large tenement area. Notable intercepts include 54 metres at 10.5% TiO2 from surface, with sections reaching up to 17% TiO2, and diamond drill holes intersecting up to 67 metres at 10.1% TiO2. This consistency suggests a robust and extensive mineralised system.
Multi-Commodity Potential and Strategic Importance
Beyond titanium, the CODA North mineralisation shows a close geochemical association with rare earth elements and niobium, indicating the potential for co-extraction of multiple critical minerals. Enova’s CEO, Eric Vesel, emphasised the strategic significance of these findings, noting that the project’s multi-commodity nature could unlock diverse development opportunities, particularly as global demand for critical minerals intensifies.
Enova’s exploration team is actively analysing scandium and niobium as potential by-products, which could further enhance project economics. The company is also advancing metallurgical test work to evaluate the feasibility of recovering titanium dioxide as a valuable by-product alongside rare earths.
Geological Context and Exploration Progress
The CODA North project lies within the Patos Formation, an Upper Cretaceous alkaline-ultramafic geological unit known for hosting clay-hosted REE mineralisation enriched by saprolitisation. The formation’s soft, fine-grained rocks and weathered profiles are conducive to exploration and potential extraction of these critical minerals.
Drilling has been conducted on a structured grid with approximately 400m spacing, allowing Enova to delineate mineralised zones and assess grade continuity. The company plans further infill and step-out drilling to upgrade resource confidence and expand the footprint of mineralisation.
Market Outlook and Enova’s Strategic Position
Titanium dioxide is a critical industrial mineral with applications spanning aerospace, automotive, medical implants, and pigments. The global TiO2 market, valued at over USD 20 billion in 2023, is forecast to grow steadily, underscoring the commercial relevance of Enova’s discoveries.
Enova’s CODA project, with its combination of high-grade titanium and rare earth elements, positions the company well within the critical minerals supply chain. The company’s experienced Brazilian technical team and international management are driving exploration excellence, supported by a favourable mining environment in Brazil.
As Enova continues to advance its resource modelling and metallurgical testing, the CODA North project stands out as a promising multi-commodity asset with significant upside potential.
Bottom Line?
Enova’s latest titanium results at CODA North mark a pivotal step in unlocking a multi-commodity critical minerals hub, with further assays and development plans eagerly awaited.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming metallurgical test results influence the economic viability of titanium extraction?
- What are the timelines and targets for upgrading CODA North’s resource classification?
- How might Enova leverage its rare earth refining and supply chain networks to commercialise CODA’s outputs?
