McLaren Minerals Unveils Massive 85% Resource Boost at McLaren Project

Significant Resource Expansion

McLaren Minerals Limited (ASX – MML) has delivered a game-changing upgrade to its McLaren Project’s Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), located in Western Australia’s Eucla Basin. The total resource now stands at 529 million tonnes grading 4.5% heavy minerals (HM), marking an approximate 85% increase in tonnage and a 90% uplift in contained heavy minerals compared to the 2022 estimate. This leap firmly establishes McLaren as a tier-one titanium project on the global stage.

The upgrade notably boosts the Indicated Resource category from 79 million tonnes to 249 million tonnes, a more than threefold increase that enhances confidence in the deposit’s geological continuity and economic potential. Contained ilmenite, the primary titanium-bearing mineral, has increased to about 7 million tonnes from 4 million tonnes, reinforcing McLaren’s position among the world’s largest undeveloped titanium-rich mineral sands deposits.

Robust Geological and Metallurgical Foundations

The resource upgrade is underpinned by extensive drilling, 671 aircore and reverse circulation holes completed between 2009 and 2025, and refined geological modelling by ERM Australia Consultants. The deposit’s mineral assemblage remains consistently high quality, dominated by ilmenite (~30% of HM) with valuable contributions from rutile, leucoxene, and zircon.

Metallurgical testwork conducted in 2024 and 2025 confirms that the ore is amenable to conventional mineral sands processing techniques, including effective management of slimes up to 38%, a key factor that allowed the resource to be reported with a higher slimes threshold than previously. This metallurgical validation supports the company’s plans for a 10 million tonne per annum mining operation and provides flexibility in mine design and development scenarios.

Strategic Location and Development Pathway

The McLaren Deposit’s proximity to the Eyre Highway facilitates straightforward logistics for transporting product and supplies. Situated approximately 150 km east of Norseman and 350 km from the Port of Esperance, the project benefits from Western Australia’s mining-friendly jurisdiction and experienced workforce.

McLaren Minerals is concurrently conducting a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) incorporating the updated resource, with results expected imminently. To support ongoing study and exploration activities, the company has launched an entitlement offer to raise approximately A$3.6 million, fully underwritten by Leeuwin Wealth. This capital raise aims to accelerate the project’s advancement towards near-term production.

Outlook and Industry Implications

Managing Director Simon Finnis described the upgrade as exceeding expectations, highlighting the drilling program’s success in underpinning the company’s ambition for a large-scale mining operation. The substantial increase in Indicated Resources provides McLaren Minerals with enhanced flexibility and confidence as it progresses through feasibility and development phases.

The McLaren Project’s confirmation as a tier-one titanium resource adds significant weight to Australia’s critical minerals portfolio, particularly given titanium’s importance in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. The company’s commitment to responsible exploration and sustainable development aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing environmental stewardship.