Petratherm wraps up stage 2 drilling for Muckanippie titanium extensions

Petratherm’s phase 2 drilling tested for extensions of the Rosewood mineralisation up to 1.6km to the north.

Petratherm has wrapped up phase 2 drilling. Pic: Getty Images

• Petratherm completes phase 2 drilling at Muckanippie heavy minerals project in South Australia

• Drilling tested for extensions of mineralisation at Rosewood discovery as well as Duke, Nardoo and Claypan prospects

• Work underway to allow for early June start for phase 3 drilling to test for further extensions

Special Report: Petratherm has completed phase 2 drilling aimed at testing for extensions of the titanium-rich Rosewood discovery and other titanium prospects at its Muckanippie heavy minerals project in South Australia.

There were 128 holes completed for 4486m to extend Rosewood where highly encouraging heavy mineral intersections were previously recorded over a continuous 15km2 area which remains open in multiple directions.

Initial mineralogy results from the east Rosewood area had indicated HM sands with >95% valuable HM content, composed primarily of high-value titanium minerals – rutile product (high-titanium leucoxene and rutile) and pseudorutile.

Petratherm’s (ASX:PTR) drilling also targeted the Duke, Nardoo and Claypan prospects that host a new style of high-grade titanium-rich HM mineralisation in saprolite clay.

“The phase 2 drilling has tested for extensions of the Rosewood mineralisation up to 1.6 kilometres further north, with samples now dispatched for heavy mineral analysis,” chief executive officer Peter Reid said.

“During the final stages of the program, the company completed a large heritage survey allowing for future step-out drilling (phase 3) beyond the current drill area.

“Whilst we eagerly await this next round of drilling results, another key milestone from the project will be the processing of the 1-tonne bulk sample for metallurgical testwork. These results will inform separation processing and produce initial mineral sample products.”

Drilling and hole logging at Muckanippie. Pic: Petratherm

Rosewood drilling

The company drilled 73 holes at Rosewood across a 9km east-west trend, extending multiple north-south lines to the north up to 1.6km.

A large heritage survey completed last week will allow for drilling to extend several kilometres further to the north, east and west. The next phase of exploration drilling is scheduled to begin later this quarter.

Drilling also included two infill lines ~400m either side of a line spanning a 3.6km interval where previous drilling identified high HM concentrations with the aim of better characterising the grade, thickness and continuity of mineralisation between holes in the Rosewood East area.

Additionally, a one-tonne bulk sample was collected from the mineralised interval within the Rosewood East area for metallurgical testwork to inform mineral recovery processing and final mineral products by producing HM concentrates.

Drill traverses were also carried out over the Duke, Nardoo and Claypan prospects where titanium minerals are concentrated within the saprolite profile to test for extensions of mineralisation and collecting samples for mineralogical and metallurgical testing.

This style of HM mineralisation presents potential for free-dig mining, where the valuable heavy minerals have potential to be separated using standard wet concentration techniques similar to typical heavy mineral sand operations.

Listen: Peter Reid chats with Barry FitzGerald

In a previous instalment of the Explorers Podcast, host Barry FitzGerald spoke with PTR CEO Peter Reid about recent drilling results confirming the potential for a world-class titanium project at Muckanippie in South Australia.

Other activity

PTR recently completed a heritage survey that significantly expanded the cleared drill area at Rosewood, allowing for future extensional drilling particularly to the north and west of the recent Phase 2 drill program, as well as closer-spaced drilling for potential future resource drilling.

This has also approved a large area for wider exploration drilling over other prospects, such as Duke, Nardoo, Claypan and other potential new target areas.

Meanwhile, the company has advised Narryer Metals (ASX NYM) that it has met the Stage 1 farm-in commitment, earning it a 51% interest in EL 6715.

It has also given notice of its election to earn a further 19% interest in the tenement to 70% by spending a further $300,000 over the next 24 months.

Exploration drilling is expected to resume in early June to test for further extensions of the Rosewood mineralisation, particularly to the north.

Watch: $8.1m boost to drive drilling at Muckanippie

This article was developed in collaboration with Petratherm, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Petratherm wraps up stage 2 drilling for Muckanippie titanium extensions