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Highlights:
- 9 km extended strike
- 100% titanium-rich mineral
- Strong heavy mineral sands results
Marmota (ASX:MEU) has made a notable advance at its Muckanippie project in South Australia with the discovery of a titanium-rich mineral known as leucoxene. This latest finding comes from heavy mineral samples collected within the project area and has significant implications for the region’s heavy mineral sands potential.
The discovery originated from historical work conducted by Flinders Mines, now operating as Red Hawk Mining (ASX:RHK), on tenement EL6679. This tenement lies immediately to the west of the project’s EL6166, both of which are now under Marmota’s portfolio. The identification of leucoxene in these areas indicates a promising expansion of the known strike length.
Back in 2009, analysis was carried out by Diatech Heavy Mineral Services Laboratory on behalf of Flinders Mines. The original objective was to search for micro-diamonds within kimberlites in the Gawler Craton. Although the micro-diamond search did not yield the expected results, the program generated a detailed record of the heavy mineral assemblage. The recorded data was subsequently filed with the Department of Mining, preserving valuable geological insights for future exploration.
The analytical method involved isolating heavy minerals from any diamond content to achieve the smallest concentrate possible for visual observation. Two distinct sample intervals were examined – one from 15 to 19 metres and another from 27 to 30 metres – with the holes positioned 277 metres apart. Remarkably, both intervals, situated within Marmota’s interpreted titanium-bearing palaeochannel, yielded samples that were 100% leucoxene.
This outcome has extended the potential strike of the Muckanippie discovery to an impressive 9 kilometres. Company leadership has highlighted that the initial exploration phase has consistently delivered robust and compelling results, reinforcing the significance of the heavy mineral sands in the area.
Leucoxene is a fine, granular alteration product comprising titanium minerals with a titanium dioxide content between 70% and 93%. It is formed naturally by the weathering of ilmenite, which removes iron and enhances the titanium concentration. This mineral plays a vital role in industrial applications, serving as a feedstock in titanium pigment production and as a fluxing agent to improve the strength of welding electrodes used in shipbuilding and civil engineering projects.
Australia currently stands as the world’s leading producer of leucoxene, underscoring the strategic importance of this discovery. The extension of the Muckanippie strike further bolsters the outlook for expanding the heavy mineral resource base and advancing exploration initiatives in the region.
