Fraser Range Drilling Yields Up to 1,307 ppm TREO and 3.31% TiO2 in Maiden Program
MinRex Resources reports promising rare earth element and titanium dioxide results from its maiden drilling at the Fraser Range Project, while extending its option to acquire a 50% stake until January 2026.
- Maiden RC drilling completed with nine holes across five IOCG and Broken Hill Type targets
- No significant copper or gold found, but encouraging rare earth elements, TiO2, and scandium detected
- Option to acquire 50% interest in Fraser Range Project extended to 31 January 2026
- Exploration activities continue with technical reviews at other NSW projects
- Company maintains strong cash position of $8.7 million
Exploration Highlights at Fraser Range
MinRex Resources Limited (ASX – MRR) has delivered its quarterly update for the period ending 30 September 2025, spotlighting its maiden Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at the Fraser Range Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia. The program, comprising nine holes totaling nearly 2,000 metres, targeted five high-priority geophysical anomalies associated with Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and Broken Hill Type (BHT) mineralisation.
While the drilling did not intersect significant copper or gold mineralisation, assay results revealed encouraging concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and scandium (Sc) within near-surface saprolite zones. Notably, the Talisker target returned up to 1,307 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) over 9 metres, while the Oban and Benriach targets showed substantial TiO2 and Sc values, highlighting potential for strategic minerals beyond traditional base metals.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The Fraser Range Project sits within the Biranup Zone, a structural extension of the Fraser Zone known for hosting significant nickel-copper deposits such as Nova-Bollinger. MinRex’s discovery of REE and TiO2 mineralisation adds a new dimension to the project’s prospectivity, aligning with growing global demand for these critical minerals used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
MinRex and joint venture partner West Cobar Metals Limited have agreed to extend the option period to acquire a 50% interest in the project until 31 January 2026. This extension allows further evaluation and planning of follow-up work, which may include additional field reconnaissance and diamond drilling to test extensions of the newly identified mineralisation zones.
Broader Portfolio and Financial Position
Beyond Fraser Range, MinRex continues technical reviews and planning at its New South Wales projects, including Sunny Corner, Mt Pleasant, and Sofala. Although no field activities were conducted during the quarter at these sites, the company is preparing for future exploration phases aimed at advancing gold and polymetallic targets.
Financially, MinRex remains well-capitalised with $8.7 million in cash reserves, supporting ongoing exploration and corporate activities. The company reported a net cash outflow of $253,000 for the quarter, primarily related to exploration expenditure and operating costs.
Overall, MinRex’s latest quarterly report underscores a strategic pivot towards critical minerals exploration within a promising geological setting, while maintaining a disciplined approach to its broader project portfolio and financial management.
Bottom Line?
MinRex’s emerging rare earth and titanium findings at Fraser Range could redefine its growth trajectory as it approaches a key option decision.
Questions in the middle?
- Will MinRex exercise its option to acquire 50% of the Fraser Range Project by January 2026?
- How economically viable are the REE and TiO2 mineralisation zones discovered in the maiden drilling?
- What follow-up exploration strategies will MinRex prioritize across its NSW gold and base metal projects?
