Petratherm Ltd (ASX:PTR) Identifies Extensive Titanium-Rich Heavy Mineral Sands at Rosewood

Highlights 

• Significant Titanium Discovery: Drilling at the Rosewood prospect in South Australia confirms heavy mineral sands (HM) with high titanium content. 
• Extensive Mineralisation: Multiple high-grade intercepts, with mineralisation remaining open to the north, west, and east, suggesting further resource expansion potential. 
• Upcoming Exploration Plans: Follow-up drilling and bulk mineral sampling planned to accelerate trial mineral separation testing. 

Petratherm Ltd (ASX:PTR) has reported a major discovery at its Rosewood prospect, a part of the broader Muckanippie project in South Australia. A recent drilling program has outlined what the company describes as a "world-class" titanium project, with heavy mineral sands (HM) containing significant titanium concentrations. The results have reinforced confidence in Rosewood’s large-scale potential and set the stage for further exploration activities. 

Drilling Confirms Extensive Heavy Mineral Sands Deposits 

The drilling campaign comprised 45 holes, revealing substantial heavy mineral intercepts. Some of the standout results include: 

• 25 metres at 7.1% HM from 8 metres, with a high-grade interval of 5 metres at 16.6% HM from 28 metres. 

• 19 metres at 9.3% HM from 5 metres, including 6 metres at 13.9% HM from 6 metres. 

These intercepts confirm the presence of a significant heavy mineral deposit with continuity across the prospect. 

Open-Ended Mineralisation Highlights Expansion Potential 

One of the key aspects of the Rosewood mineralisation is its open-ended nature. Heavy mineral sands extend beyond the current drill traverses to the north, west, and east. Several of the most significant intercepts were located at the end of these traverses, further strengthening the case for additional resource potential. 

Notable drill results at the boundaries of the current campaign include: 

• 14 metres at 8.5% HM from surface in the western drill line. 

• 16 metres at 12.1% HM from 14 metres in the northern drill section. 

• 4 metres at 9.3% HM from 10 metres in the eastern zone. 

These findings suggest that further drilling will be necessary to fully define the extent of mineralisation at Rosewood. 

Strategic Exploration and Development Plans 

The company has outlined an aggressive exploration strategy to further define the titanium resource. The next phase of drilling will focus on extending the mineralisation footprint, particularly to the north, where significant potential remains untapped. 

Additionally, bulk heavy mineral samples will be collected to expedite initial trial mineral separation testing using conventional ore processing methods. The objective is to assess the viability of commercial extraction and gain a better understanding of the economic potential of the deposit. 

Implications for Petratherm’s Broader Muckanippie Project 

Rosewood is part of the larger Muckanippie project, a region that has demonstrated strong potential for heavy mineral sands. The latest results reinforce confidence in the prospectivity of the area, with continued drilling expected to unlock further value. 

Petratherm’s recent drilling success aligns with a broader industry trend, as titanium demand continues to rise across various applications, including aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing. The identification of thick, high-grade titanium-rich sands at Rosewood positions the company strategically within the global heavy mineral sands market. 

Next Steps 

• Expansion drilling to delineate additional mineralisation, particularly in open-ended zones. 

• Collection of bulk samples to advance mineral separation testing. 

• Further geological assessments to define the scale and commercial viability of the deposit. 

As exploration activities continue, Rosewood has emerged as a key asset within Petratherm’s portfolio, with ongoing developments likely to shape the company’s future direction in the heavy mineral sands sector.