Osmond Resources (ASX:OSM) has reported ‘exceptional’ assay results from drill hole SOR-08A at its flagship Orión EU Critical Minerals Project in the Jaén province, Andalucía, southern Spain.
The step-out reverse circulation drill hole targeted the heavy mineral-rich quartzite seams of the Pochico Formation, yielding ‘high grade’ intersections.
Key intercepts delivered 2.70m @ 10.75% titanium dioxide (TiO2), 3.82% zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), 815 parts per million (ppm) hafnium dioxide (HfO2), and 0.78% total rare earth oxides (TREO) from 209.9m.
This includes 2.10m @ 12.59% TiO2, 4.55% ZrO2, 969 ppm HfO2, and 0.925% TREO from 210m alongside 1.20m @ 17.16% TiO2, 6.55% ZrO2, 1,401 ppm HfO2, and 1.32% TREO from 210m.
Osmond also notes indicative heavy mineral grades including 9.0% rutile, 5.7% zircon, 3.4% ilmenite, and 0.7% monazite from 209.7m.
These results successfully establish mineralisation continuity across the Southern Block, mirroring the rich seams found at the Avellanar Block and historical drill hole SOR-02 situated 2.86km to the west.
The company says these also confirm that mineralisation extends more than 1.25km east-southeast of the original discovery hole, significantly expanding the target footprint and resource potential of the project’s Southern Block.
Regional and footprint expansion
The wider potential of the Southern Block is further supported by drill hole SOR-07A, which intersected the prospective Pochico Formation quartzites at a downhole depth of 311.8m.
Osmond says laboratory assays for this drill hole are expected within the next three to four weeks.
Meanwhile, at the Avellanar Block, surface channel sampling has extended the strike of the prospective stratigraphy by more than 550m.
Seven samples collected across the main and upper seams returned notable results, including grades up to 8.67% TiO2 and 2.68% ZrO2 over a thickness of 235mm.
Osmond anticipates that the SOR-08A assays will materially upgrade the project’s upcoming maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) and Scoping Study.
Following these results, the company has expanded its mineral resource definition target by an additional 4.1km² in the Southern Block, complementing the 2.1km² already mapped out in the Avellanar Block.
Geological modeling and metallurgical data from the Southern Block will be integrated directly into a fast-tracked Scoping Study, which remains on schedule for completion before the end of Q3 2026.
The Orión project spans 232km² within a lithified placer sand geological system in southern Spain.
Osmond Resources is an explorer and developer focused on critical mineral assets in Europe and Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Osmond Resources
