High-Grade Titanium Drilling Extends Mata da Corda Strike to 15km
Equinox Resources has reported high-grade titanium dioxide intercepts up to 20.2% TiO2 from recent drilling at its Mata da Corda project in Brazil, expanding the mineralised corridor to 15km and moving closer to a maiden resource estimate.
- 30 new drill holes confirm high-grade TiO2 up to 20.2%
- Mineralised corridor extended to 15km with new targets identified
- Significant rare earth elements and niobium accompany titanium mineralisation
- Drilling used diamond and auger methods with vertical holes for representative sampling
- Maiden resource estimate targeted for Q3 2025
High-Grade Titanium Intercepts Confirmed
Equinox Resources Limited (ASX, EQN) has announced compelling assay results from 30 new drill holes at the Olegario South Target within its Mata da Corda Titanium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The drilling campaign, which covered approximately 5 square kilometres, returned high-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) intercepts reaching up to 20.2%. These results significantly exceed the company’s initial expectations and confirm the presence of a laterally extensive, near-surface mineralised unit dominated by valuable heavy minerals such as ilmenite, leucoxene, and titanomagnetite.
Expanding the Mineralised Corridor
Beyond Olegario South, Equinox has identified two new targets; Olegario West and Olegario East; extending the known mineralised strike length to 15 kilometres. This expansion highlights the large-scale potential of the Mata da Corda project and underscores ongoing discovery opportunities. The mineralisation remains open both along strike and at depth, suggesting that further drilling could reveal additional high-grade zones.
Rare Earth Elements and Niobium Enhance Project Value
Alongside titanium, the drilling assays revealed significant concentrations of total rare earth oxides (TREO) and niobium (Nb2O5). Intercepts reported include up to 3,346 ppm TREO and 807 ppm Nb2O5, adding strategic value to the project given the growing demand for rare earth elements in advanced technologies. This multi-commodity profile could enhance the economic viability of the deposit.
Methodical Drilling and Quality Assurance
The company employed diamond and auger drilling techniques with vertical holes designed to provide representative sampling of the horizontal mineralised zones. Assays were conducted by SGS Laboratories in Brazil using industry-standard lithium borate fusion followed by ICP-MS and ICP-AES analysis. Equinox has maintained rigorous quality control and sample security protocols throughout the exploration process, ensuring the reliability of the data.
Path to Maiden Resource Estimate
With final assays still pending, Equinox is progressing towards releasing an initial Exploration Target in the coming weeks. The company aims to deliver a maiden resource estimate by the third quarter of 2025, a key milestone that will provide a clearer picture of the project’s scale and grade distribution. Managing Director Zac Komur described Mata da Corda as a “tier-one titanium asset,” reflecting confidence in the project’s quality and potential.
Bottom Line?
As Equinox advances towards a maiden resource, Mata da Corda’s expanding high-grade corridor positions it as a standout titanium and rare earths project to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending final assays impact the overall resource estimate?
- What are the next steps for metallurgical testing and project development?
- Could the rare earth and niobium content influence future financing or partnerships?
