Phase 1 Drilling Yields Up to 24% Heavy Mineral at McLaren Titanium Project
McLaren Minerals has reported very high-grade assay results from its Phase 1 drilling at the McLaren Titanium Project, confirming broad, continuous mineralisation and promising resource expansion just north of the current resource boundary.
- Phase 1 drilling returns high-grade heavy mineral intersections
- 1,424 samples received, covering ~75% of drilling program
- Resource growth potential identified immediately north of Indicated Resource
- Multiple stacked heavy mineral-bearing strands discovered
- Titanium’s strategic importance for aerospace, defence, and energy sectors highlighted
Strong Phase 1 Drilling Results
McLaren Minerals Limited (ASX – MML) has released compelling assay results from its Phase 1 drilling program at the McLaren Titanium Project in Western Australia. The program, which included 192 drill holes totaling over 4,000 metres, has delivered high-grade heavy mineral (HM) intersections that reinforce the potential for resource growth immediately north of the current Indicated Resource boundary.
To date, assays for approximately 75% of the 1,424 submitted samples have been received, revealing broad, continuous mineralisation from surface with standout results such as 1 metre at 24.11% HM and 14 metres at 5.7% HM in key drill holes. These grades significantly exceed the existing resource average of 4.8% HM, underscoring the deposit’s quality and scale.
Resource Expansion and Geological Insights
The drilling has confirmed mineral-hosting sediments adjacent to previously undrilled areas, suggesting immediate resource extension potential. Multiple stacked heavy mineral-bearing strands have been identified, indicating thickened sediment profiles that host high-grade titanium minerals. This geological complexity enhances confidence in the deposit’s continuity and predictability, critical factors for advancing resource estimation and mine planning.
McLaren’s Managing Director, Simon Finnis, emphasised the significance of these results, noting that the high-grade intersections outside the existing Indicated Resource boundary provide “more confidence in the strength and potential of the deposit.” He highlighted that these findings will underpin a robust Mineral Resource update and inform the next phase of project development.
Strategic Importance of Titanium
The McLaren Titanium Project hosts titanium-bearing sands within a combined Indicated and Inferred Resource of 280 million tonnes at 4.8% HM. Titanium is classified as a critical mineral, essential for aerospace, defence, and energy technologies. With global supply chains under increasing pressure, McLaren’s project is well positioned to contribute to this strategic market.
Complementing the drilling results, metallurgical testwork has confirmed that slimes; fine particles that can complicate processing; can be effectively managed using industry-standard methods. This finding supports the project’s technical viability and strengthens its economic case.
Next Steps and Market Implications
McLaren Minerals plans to continue releasing assay results as they become available, with a Mineral Resource update and Prefeasibility Study (PFS) expected to follow. These milestones will be critical in shaping investor sentiment and guiding development decisions.
Given the strategic nature of titanium and the promising exploration results, the McLaren Titanium Project is attracting attention as a potential future supplier in a market facing tightening supply. Investors and industry watchers will be keen to monitor how the remaining assay results and resource updates unfold.
Bottom Line?
McLaren’s high-grade drilling results mark a pivotal step toward expanding its titanium resource and advancing project development.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the remaining 25% of assay results impact the overall resource estimate?
- What are the timelines and expected outcomes for the upcoming Prefeasibility Study?
- How might global titanium demand and supply dynamics influence McLaren’s project valuation?
