McLaren Minerals has kicked off a major drilling campaign at its McLaren Titanium Project aiming to upgrade resource classifications and expand its substantial 529 million tonne resource base. The program is a critical step toward advancing the project’s development and future feasibility studies.
- 13,000m drilling campaign targeting resource classification upgrades
- Focus on upgrading Inferred and Indicated resources to higher confidence categories
- Exploration of southern and eastern extensions to expand resource footprint
- Supports upcoming Bankable Feasibility Study and maiden Ore Reserve estimation
- Additional exploration license applications lodged to increase project tenure
A Strategic Step Forward
McLaren Minerals Limited (ASX: MML) has announced the launch of a significant 13,000-metre drilling campaign at its McLaren Titanium Project in Western Australia, scheduled to commence in March 2026. This initiative is designed to upgrade the classification of its already substantial 529 million tonne mineral resource, moving large portions from Inferred and Indicated categories into the higher confidence Measured category.
The McLaren Titanium Project, situated in the western Eucla Basin, is a key asset for the company, hosting a JORC 2012-compliant resource rich in titanium and other heavy minerals. The drilling program aims not only to enhance resource confidence but also to extend the resource along strike to the south and explore a promising eastern shoreline target, potentially unlocking new growth corridors.
Upgrading Confidence and Expanding Scale
The campaign’s structured approach involves close-spaced drilling on a 150m by 150m grid to support upgrading Indicated resources to Measured status, backed by strong geological continuity demonstrated through variographic analysis. Inferred resource areas will also be targeted for advancement to Indicated classification with wider 300m by 300m drill spacing.
Step-out drilling along the southwestern margin and exploratory holes into the eastern shoreline feature are designed to test extensions of mineralisation and evaluate new heavy mineral systems within McLaren’s tenure. These efforts are critical for refining the geological model and underpinning future reserve estimation.
Towards Development and Economic Viability
Managing Director Simon Finnis emphasised the program’s role in de-risking the project by elevating resource confidence and exploring scale-up opportunities. The drilling results, expected from late March 2026, will feed into a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) and support estimation of a maiden Ore Reserve, key milestones on the path to development.
Additionally, McLaren has lodged five new exploration license applications covering approximately 178 square kilometres adjacent to existing tenements. Once granted, this will expand the project footprint to over 512 square kilometres, enhancing the potential for further resource growth.
While the current resource base is impressive, it remains a Mineral Resource and not yet a Mineral Reserve, meaning economic viability has yet to be demonstrated. The upcoming drilling results and subsequent studies will be pivotal in advancing McLaren’s ambitions to become a significant supplier of critical titanium minerals.
Bottom Line?
McLaren’s drilling campaign marks a decisive move to transform a large resource into a viable mining project, with results set to shape its future trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm continuity of the high-grade zones and support a Measured resource upgrade?
- How significant could the eastern shoreline target be in expanding the resource base?
- What timeline and capital requirements will emerge from the upcoming Bankable Feasibility Study?