Exploration Boost at Minta: Can Lion Rock Capitalise on High-Purity Rutile Nuggets?

• Rutile nuggets with up to 98.6% TiO2 purity confirmed
• TZ Minerals International validates suitability for titanium metal, welding, and pigment markets
• Heavy mineralisation footprint expanded beyond 2,750 km²
• Significant heavy mineral intercepts up to 8.3% HM recorded
• Ongoing drilling and mineralogical testing on track with lab expansion underway

Premium Rutile Nuggets Confirmed

Lion Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX, LRM) has announced a major advancement at its Minta Rutile Project in Cameroon, revealing rutile nuggets of exceptional purity. Laboratory assays have demonstrated titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades reaching 98.6%, a level that places this natural rutile among the highest quality globally. This premium-grade rutile has been independently verified by TZ Minerals International (TZMI), a leading consultancy in the titanium sector, confirming its suitability across all major titanium end-use markets including titanium metal production, welding applications, and pigment manufacturing.

Expanding Mineralised Footprint

Beyond the purity of the rutile, Lion Rock’s ongoing exploration drilling has significantly extended the known mineralised area to over 2,750 square kilometres. Recent heavy mineral (HM) intercepts have returned standout results, with grades as high as 8.3% HM over 1.4 metres and multiple intercepts exceeding 4% HM over several metres. These results underscore the scale and potential of the Minta Project as a globally significant rutile province, with rutile confirmed as the dominant titanium mineral across both sand and oversize fractions through QEMSCAN mineralogical analysis.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

The discovery of coarse rutile nuggets, which can materially boost in-situ rutile and valuable heavy mineral grades, adds a unique dimension to the project’s value proposition. Lion Rock’s CEO, Casper Adson, highlighted the combination of purity, scale, and mineral dominance as a rare opportunity to develop a high-value, long-life rutile operation. The company is advancing mineralogical test work, with results expected by the end of September 2025, and is preparing for infill drilling in high-value zones during the dry season.

Complementing exploration, Lion Rock is establishing a dedicated heavy mineral sands laboratory in Yaoundé to accelerate sample processing and analysis. Preliminary mining assessments have confirmed the feasibility of dredge mining in alluvial settings, supporting the project’s development pathway. All exploration activities planned through 2025 and into 2026 are fully funded, reflecting strong operational momentum.

Broader Market Context

Rutile is a critical feedstock for titanium dioxide pigment production, titanium metal alloys used in aerospace and robotics, and welding consumables. The high purity and low impurity profile of Minta’s rutile nuggets position Lion Rock well to meet stringent industry specifications, potentially opening direct engagement with end-users. As global demand for titanium products grows, driven by technological and industrial applications, Minta’s development could contribute meaningfully to supply diversification.

Bottom Line?

With premium-grade rutile and a rapidly expanding footprint, Lion Rock is poised to transform Minta into a cornerstone of the global titanium supply chain.

Questions in the middle?

• How will upcoming infill drilling refine the grade continuity and resource estimation at Minta?
• What are the timelines and capital requirements for advancing from exploration to production?
• How will Lion Rock position itself competitively in the global titanium market amid evolving demand?