McLaren Minerals (ASX:MML) is continuing to finalise its 2025 exploration program at its namesake titanium project in Western Australia, amid progressing an upcoming Prefeasibility Study (PFS).
An aircore drilling program is currently underway, targeting infill drilling to a previously interpreted mineral sands strandline. In conjunction, surface geological investigations are also being conducted, with onsite geologists confirming visual mineralisation within targeted sediments.
The company adds a metallurgical testwork program, at IHC Mining laboratory in Queensland, produced final products of ilmenite of a suitable grade to be classified as sulphate ilmenite, rutile of a typical quality of 95.7% titanium oxide and 1.49% of iron oxide alongside zircon of a typical standard zircon quality.
The results will be used to validate a flowsheet designed by IHC and to complete follow-up tests to allow development of a slimes management strategy for McLaren.
Further, McLaren notes pressurised water has been encountered in three holes drilled in the north-western part of the known deposit area.
The company says further investigations will be required to determine whether the water is of sufficient volume and quality to support operations.
Managing Director Simon Finnis says it is gratifying to see plenty of minerals when drilling orebodies, particularly when gathering samples for the testwork program.
“It is also very good to see an increase in the mineral sediment profile noted in the northern area,” Finnis says.
“Finding water was unexpected but a real bonus. Clearly more work is needed but for now just knowing there is pressurised water around ticks one of the boxes for our PFS.”
McLaren has also confirmed gypsum to occur in the northwestern part of the McLaren tenement holding. Additional investigations will target the discovery of larger accumulations in areas adjacent to this surface material.
Finnis adds that gypsum is likely to play a role in the slimes management strategy, and therefore having a potential source within the tenement package could offer benefits from an operating cost perspective.
“While we will still need to confirm the quality and extent of the occurrence, its presence is an encouraging development,” he says.
Gypsum is a common sulphate mineralisation of commercial importance. The mineral is used as a fluxing agent, fertiliser, filler in paper and textiles, and retarder in portland cement.
The McLaren Minerals Titanium Project, covering 333km2, is located on the western side of the Eucla Basin, adjacent to the Fraser Range in Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: McLaren Minerals
