Forrestania Confirms Extensive High-Grade Niobium at Wozi Project in Malawi

Robust Niobium Grades Confirmed Near Surface

Forrestania Resources (ASX:FRS) has bolstered the case for its Wozi Niobium Project in Malawi with fresh assay results from the final eight holes of its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign. The program has confirmed a sizeable, high-grade niobium system starting at surface, highlighted by a standout intercept of 36 metres grading 0.56% Nb2O5 including narrower zones approaching 0.94% Nb2O5.

These results not only validate earlier soil and trenching programs but also demonstrate continuity of mineralisation within a broad +1.5km strike length and up to 400m width anomaly. The drilling confirms the presence of pyrochlore-bearing nepheline syenite, a geological setting globally recognised for hosting large-scale niobium deposits.

Scale and Metallurgical Potential Highlighted

While true widths remain to be precisely defined, the mineralisation remains open both along strike and at depth, suggesting significant scale potential. The low levels of tantalum and uranium reported in the drilling results support the prospect of conventional processing routes to ferroniobium (FeNb), the primary commercial niobium product used to enhance steel strength and performance.

Niobium’s critical mineral status, particularly on the US Critical Minerals List, underscores the strategic importance of Wozi amid global demand for advanced manufacturing and infrastructure materials. Current ferroniobium prices hovering around US$45,000 per tonne provide a robust market backdrop for the project’s development.

Strategic Options and Project Advancement

Forrestania’s Executive Chairman David Geraghty emphasised the project’s complementary role alongside the company’s Western Australian gold assets, offering low-cost exposure to the critical minerals sector. He noted that as Wozi progresses, the company will explore options to unlock shareholder value, including the potential to introduce specialist partners or pursue broader corporate strategies.

This announcement follows a recent string of positive developments for Forrestania, including a high-grade gold extension confirmation at its British Hill project, signalling the group’s diversified growth trajectory across both gold and critical minerals.

Further drilling and technical studies are planned to better delineate the mineralisation and assess economic viability, with the company mindful of rig availability and seasonal conditions in Malawi.

Early-Stage Exploration with Validation Underway

The Wozi Project was inherited through Forrestania’s acquisition of Kula Gold Ltd and represents the company’s first systematic drilling effort in niobium. The RC drilling employed industry-standard techniques, with sample security and quality controls in place, although data validation continues following minor sample ID corrections from prior releases.

While the current results are promising, the limited drill spacing and early-stage nature of the exploration mean that a formal resource estimate is premature. The company’s focus remains on expanding the footprint of mineralisation and refining metallurgical characteristics to support future development decisions.