Final Assays Confirm 17.4% TiO₂ and Rare Earths Near Surface at Mata da Corda
Equinox Resources has reported final assay results from 44 drill holes at its Mata da Corda Project, confirming near-surface, high-grade titanium and rare earth mineralization with significant thicknesses. The vast project area remains largely unexplored, hinting at substantial upside potential.
- Final assays confirm titanium grades up to 17.4% TiO₂ near surface
- Consistent high-grade layer 8 to 15 meters thick across drill targets
- Rare earth elements and niobium also present in economically interesting concentrations
- Drilling covers less than 5% of the 972 km² Mata da Corda Project area
- Company preparing maiden Exploration Target and expanded metallurgical testing
Strong Titanium and Rare Earths Confirmed at Mata da Corda
Equinox Resources Limited (ASX – EQN) has released the final assay results from its recent drilling campaign at the Pindaibas South and Olegario East targets within the expansive Mata da Corda Project in Brazil. The results reveal consistently high-grade titanium dioxide (TiO₂) mineralization, with peak intercepts reaching an impressive 17.4% TiO₂ near surface. Alongside titanium, significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium (Nb) were also identified, underscoring the project's multi-commodity potential.
Substantial Thickness and Lateral Continuity
The drilling program, comprising 44 additional holes totaling over 455 meters, confirmed a laterally continuous high-grade mineralized layer ranging from 8 to 15 meters thick. More than 70 assay intervals exceeded 14% TiO₂, while over 90% surpassed 10% TiO₂, indicating robust grade consistency across the sampled zones. Notable intercepts include 13 meters at 14.8% TiO₂ with 3001 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 870 ppm Nb₂O₅ from surface at Pindaibas, and 15 meters at 13.3% TiO₂ with 3461 ppm TREO and 856 ppm Nb₂O₅ at Olegario.
Exploration Upside in a Vast Untested Terrain
Despite these encouraging results, the drilling to date has covered less than 5% of the 972 square kilometer Mata da Corda Project area. This leaves a significant portion of the district, including multiple undrilled ridges, open for further exploration. The project's geology, characterized by lateritic clay horizons rich in ilmenite, leucoxene, and titanomagnetite, presents a compelling case for extensive mineralization beyond the current drill footprint.
Next Steps Toward Resource Definition
With the complete assay dataset now in hand, Equinox is advancing toward defining a maiden Exploration Target. Concurrently, the company is expanding its metallurgical testing program to better understand ore processing characteristics. These efforts will feed into a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource estimate, which will underpin subsequent mining and economic evaluations. Managing Director Zac Komur expressed optimism, highlighting that the high TiO₂ grades exceeded expectations and that the team is focused on unlocking the project's full potential.
Technical Rigor and Compliance
The drilling employed a combination of diamond and auger techniques, with vertical holes designed to intersect the horizontal mineralized layers effectively. Assays were conducted by reputable laboratories using industry-standard lithium borate fusion and ICP-MS/AES methods, ensuring high-quality and reliable data. The company has maintained strict sample security and quality control protocols throughout the exploration process, aligning with JORC Code requirements.
Bottom Line?
As Equinox moves toward resource definition, Mata da Corda’s vast unexplored potential could reshape its standing in titanium and rare earth markets.
Questions in the middle?
- How will metallurgical test results influence the economic viability of the project?
- What timeline is anticipated for the release of the maiden JORC Mineral Resource estimate?
- Could further drilling reveal extensions or higher-grade zones beyond the current targets?
