Marmota Limited (ASX:MEU) has commenced drilling at its newly discovered Heavy Minerals (HM) titanium deposit at Muckanippie in South Australia.
This follows the company’s recent announcement of exceptional heavy mineral assay results across all discovery holes at the site.
The drilling program consists of 89 planned air core holes, targeting shallow titanium-bearing mineral sands from surface to an average depth of approximately 30 metres.
Drilling began on January 23, 2025, with the first 10 holes, totalling 359 metres, already completed.
The entire program is expected to conclude within nine days.
This campaign is strategically important as it aims to expand the discovery by targeting the interpreted titanium-hosting palaeochannel, which spans approximately 28 kilometres across Marmota’s tenements.
The recent assay results that prompted this follow-up drilling program were remarkable:
- WI-081: 28m @ 19.2% HM from surface, including 4m @ 22.2% HM
- WI-080: 36m @ 13.5% HM from surface, including 4m @ 27.8% HM
- WI-079: 39m @ 13.2% HM from surface, including 4m @ 26.0% HM
- WI-078: 24m @ 13.5% HM from surface, including 4m @ 21.3% HM
Dr Colin Rose, Marmota’s Executive Chairman, commented on the significance of these results and the current drilling program: “Marmota announced just 10 days ago HM assays featuring bonanza grades in every discovery hole.
“Those assays confirm Marmota’s discovery at Muckanippie as a highly significant new Heavy Mineral sands discovery.
“Marmota is progressing with full speed a major follow-up drill program to rapidly advance, grow and develop this outstanding titanium Heavy Mineral discovery.”
The Muckanippie project is strategically located near critical transport infrastructure, including rail lines from Adelaide to Darwin and Adelaide to Perth.
This positioning could prove advantageous for future development and transportation of minerals.
As titanium is classified as a critical mineral by many countries, including Australia, this discovery could have significant implications for various industries, including energy storage, defence, space technology, and medical implants.
Investors and industry observers will be keenly awaiting the results of this drilling program, which could further establish Marmota Limited as a key player in the titanium mineral sands sector.
