Can Peak Minerals’ Minta Expansion Deliver a Tier-One Sands Project?
Peak Minerals reports a significant expansion of heavy mineral zones at its Minta Rutile Project in Cameroon, with consistent rutile mineralisation confirmed across a vast 1,500 square kilometres. The company advances toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2026, supported by promising alluvial and residual assay results.
- Heavy mineral zone at Minta Rutile Project expands to nearly 1,500km²
- 156 new drill hole assays confirm 100% rutile presence in all holes
- High-grade alluvial intercepts up to 3.85m thick at over 18% heavy minerals
- Reconnaissance drilling uses cost-effective hand auger and Dormer rigs
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for 2026 with fully funded 2025 exploration
Significant Expansion of Mineralisation
Peak Minerals Ltd (ASX, PUA) has announced a substantial increase in the heavy mineral (HM) zone at its Minta Rutile Project in central Cameroon. Recent assay results from 156 additional drill holes have confirmed consistent rutile mineralisation across an area now approaching 1,500 square kilometres, with mineralisation occurring at an average shallow depth of just over 4 metres. This expansion underscores the project's potential as a globally significant rutile-dominant heavy mineral sands province.
Robust Assay Results Across Multiple Zones
The drilling program, which includes both alluvial and residual zones across the Minta, Minta Est, and Afanloum areas, has yielded standout intercepts such as 3.85 metres at 18.4% HM and 4.75 metres at 14.2% HM in Afanloum, alongside similarly strong results at Minta and Minta Est. Notably, every hole drilled to date has logged rutile mineralisation, highlighting the consistency and scale of the deposit.
Innovative and Cost-Effective Exploration Techniques
Peak Minerals has employed a reconnaissance drilling approach using hand auger and Dormer drilling rigs, which are widely accepted methods for heavy mineral sand exploration globally. This approach has allowed the company to efficiently test a large initial area of 3,500 square kilometres with broad drill spacings to identify higher-grade zones. The use of hand auger drilling, in particular, has proven effective in the stable residual soils of the project area, enabling early-stage value discovery at a lower cost.
Strategic Outlook and Next Steps
With all 2025 exploration activities fully funded, Peak Minerals plans to continue reconnaissance drilling into untested areas while prioritising infill drilling in the highest-grade zones identified. The company aims to deliver its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2026, a critical milestone that will provide a clearer picture of the project's economic potential. The executive team is actively engaged on the ground in Cameroon, facilitating site visits and advancing exploration momentum.
Broader Geological Context
The Minta Rutile Project covers approximately 8,800 square kilometres across 18 granted exploration permits and three applications. The region's geology, characterized by kyanite-bearing mica schist, is conducive to rutile formation through the breakdown of titanium-bearing minerals. Historical artisanal mining and recent sampling have also identified valuable by-products such as zircon, gold, and monazite, which could enhance the project's overall value proposition.
Bottom Line?
As Peak Minerals advances toward its 2026 resource estimate, the market will be watching closely to see if Minta can deliver on its promise as a tier-one heavy mineral sands project.
Questions in the middle?
- How will infill drilling refine the grade and continuity of mineralisation across the expanded zone?
- What impact will the contribution of oversize rutile nuggets have on overall project economics?
- How soon can Peak Minerals transition from exploration to development phases given current results?
