Mkanda Project Advances but Depth and Resource Size Remain Uncertain
Fortuna Metals has verified rutile as the dominant titanium mineral at its Mkanda project in Malawi, with soil assays returning 1.11% rutile and extensive drilling underway. This positions the project alongside one of the world’s largest rutile deposits.
- QEMSCAN analysis confirms rutile accounts for 80% of titanium minerals at Mkanda
- Soil sample SS118 returned 1.11% rutile assay
- 392 drill holes completed averaging 8.2m depth
- First hand auger assay results expected mid-December 2025
- Project adjacent to Sovereign Metals’ world-class Kasiya rutile deposit
Rutile Confirmed as Key Mineral at Mkanda
Fortuna Metals Limited (ASX – FUN) has announced compelling mineralogical results from its Mkanda rutile and graphite project in Malawi, Africa. Using advanced QEMSCAN analysis on soil sample SS118, the company confirmed that rutile is the dominant titanium-bearing mineral, accounting for 80% of the total titanium minerals identified. The sample returned a significant 1.11% rutile assay, reinforcing the project's potential.
Extensive Drilling Advances Exploration
To date, Fortuna has completed 392 drill holes at Mkanda, averaging 8.2 meters in depth, as part of a rapid reconnaissance drilling campaign. These efforts aim to delineate the extent of rutile mineralisation across the project’s 658 square kilometers. The company anticipates receiving the first batch of hand auger assay results by mid-December 2025, with further results expected throughout the first quarter of 2026.
Strategic Location Near World-Class Deposit
The Mkanda project lies immediately south of Sovereign Metals Limited’s Kasiya deposit, the largest rutile and second largest flake graphite deposit globally. Fortuna’s CEO, Tom Langley, highlighted the geological advantage of being situated on the same rutile-graphite bearing lithology as Kasiya, allowing Fortuna to leverage existing mineralogical and metallurgical insights. This proximity, combined with excellent infrastructure access near Malawi’s capital Lilongwe, enhances the project's development prospects.
Next Steps – Deeper Drilling and Resource Definition
Looking ahead, Fortuna plans to deploy Aircore drilling from April/May 2026 to penetrate beyond the perched water table and reach the saprock boundary at depths of 20 to 30 meters. This deeper drilling is critical to better define the resource potential and improve the project’s economic outlook. The current drilling strategy balances wide-spaced reconnaissance with tighter infill drilling to meet inferred resource estimation standards, mirroring the approach used at Kasiya.
Balanced and Methodical Exploration Approach
Fortuna’s exploration program is underpinned by rigorous sampling, assay, and mineralogical verification protocols. Soil samples were systematically collected and analyzed by reputable laboratories, ensuring data quality and representativity. The company is also establishing a low-cost in-country laboratory to streamline sample preparation and analysis, further accelerating exploration progress.
Bottom Line?
As Fortuna Metals advances its drilling and assay programs, Mkanda’s proximity to a world-class rutile deposit and confirmed rutile dominance could soon translate into a significant new resource on the African titanium map.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming Aircore drilling confirm deeper high-grade rutile zones beyond the water table?
- How will Fortuna’s resource estimates compare to Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya deposit?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for advancing Mkanda towards development?
