McLaren Drilling Delivers 24m at 7.54% Heavy Mineral from Surface
McLaren Minerals has reported broad, near-surface heavy mineralisation from 61 holes at its Western Australian titanium project, led by 24 metres at 7.54% HM. The results strengthen the dataset for a resource update, but do not yet establish an Ore Reserve or project economics.
- 61 holes covering 1,293 metres of complete sampled intervals
- Length-weighted average of 4.57% HM over 21.2 metres from surface
- MAC467 returned 24 metres at 7.54% HM, with a peak one-metre assay of 20.10%
- Ten holes delivered at least 21 metres at 5% HM or better
- Updated Mineral Resource estimate due later in 2026
Broad Surface Intervals Lead McLaren Assay Batch
McLaren Minerals Limited (ASX:MML) has produced one of its more substantial assay batches from the 2026 drilling program, with 61 holes returning a length-weighted average of 4.57% heavy mineral over 21.2 metres from surface at the McLaren Titanium Project in Western Australia.
The standout hole was MAC467, which returned 24 metres at 7.54% HM. Its final one-metre sample graded 20.10% HM, a reminder that the headline interval average and the peak assay describe different aspects of the mineralisation. MAC468 added 13 metres at 7.25% HM, while MAC532 returned 27 metres at 5.83% HM.
The batch was reported across complete sampled intervals with no HM cut-off or grade truncation. That matters because the averages are not selected high-grade sections: they cover every one-metre sample in each reported hole. Across the 61 holes, 43 averaged at least 4% HM, 20 averaged at least 5%, six reached at least 6% and three averaged at least 7%.
Grade and Thickness Support Resource Model
Thickness was a defining feature of the results. Forty-one holes returned at least 21 metres from surface and 33 extended for at least 24 metres. Ten holes combined at least 21 metres of sampled interval with an average grade of 5% HM or better, including eight holes that reached at least 24 metres.
McLaren said the results will be integrated with earlier 2026 drilling into an updated geological model and Mineral Resource estimate. The latest average grade is marginally above the 2025 resource average of 4.5% HM across 529 million tonnes, although the company still needs to complete the resource work before any effect on tonnage, grade, mine design or production planning can be assessed.
The next technical steps include receiving and validating the remaining assays, metallurgical test work and studies supporting a future Ore Reserve estimate and Bankable Feasibility Study. Those stages remain important: the existing resource is not an Ore Reserve, and the filing explicitly states that Mineral Resources do not demonstrate economic viability.
Remaining Assays and Reporting Detail Matter
One drill hole remains incomplete and has been excluded from this batch. There is also an apparent inconsistency in the release: the main announcement describes 61 reported holes, while a JORC table refers to 179 drill hole results in the latest assay results. The discrepancy does not alter the 61-hole results presented in the announcement, but it is a detail that should be reconciled as the resource update progresses.
Bottom Line?
The drilling has added broad, near-surface grade to McLaren’s resource dataset; the next test is whether that strength survives the updated estimate, metallurgical work and economic studies.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the 61 new holes change the tonnage, grade and classification of the updated Mineral Resource?
- Can the reported heavy mineral grades translate into recoveries and product specifications that support mine planning?
- Will the remaining assays and the apparent 61-hole versus 179-hole reporting discrepancy be resolved before the resource update?
