Equinox Resources’ drilling has shown that widespread titanium dioxide mineralisation is present across three prospects within its Mata da Corda project. Pic: Getty Images
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Special Report: Equinox Resources’ drilling at its Mata da Corda project in Brazil continues to demonstrate widespread titanium dioxide mineralisation across the Pindaibas, Patos, and Olegario prospects after returning exceptional intersections.
This follows the receipt of assays from another 34 holes, which returned mineralisation from surface with standout hits such as 47m grading 12.8% TiO2, including 32m at 14.5% TiO2 from 15m (MC_DD24_016) and 32m at 12.7% TiO2 (MC_DD24_056).
Adding interest, 1460m of the latest drill samples exceed 5% TiO2, which indicates the drill program is performing as intended in its goal of supporting the definition of a maiden resource estimate targeted for H1 2025.
Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) notes that a total of 3618m have been drilled to date with most of the TiO2 grades (5-15%) concentrated within the upper 40m while the higher grade zones (above 15%) become more frequent beyond 30m.
It added there’s plenty of exploration expansion potential as the Pindaibas, Patos, and Olegario prospects have an average ore density of 1.8t/m3 and cover 28.04km2, or just 2.9% of the total project area.
“These latest high-grade titanium results reinforce the scale and continuity of mineralisation at the Mata da Corda project,” managing director Zac Komur said.
“With an average grade of 10.2% TiO₂ and a consistently strong profile, the project continues to demonstrate significant potential.
“We have identified our target prospects for the planned mineral resource estimate, and I look forward to the outcomes of the titanium characterisation testwork currently underway, which will be key to unlocking the full value of this discovery.”
Drilling is continuing to enhance geological confidence with results supporting ongoing exploration efforts to define the full extent of high-grade zones at depth.
Drilling at Mata da Corda also returned outstanding rare earths intersections with a high level of valuable magnet REE content as well as significant niobium results.
The company noted that 1309m of the latest drill results exceeded 1000 parts per million total rare earth oxides with notable intercepts being:
Niobium is looking like a promising secondary product, with 445m of the latest results exceeding 500ppm Nb2O5 and top results of 47m at 813ppm Nb2O5 from surface (MC_DD24_016) and 8.3m at 1112ppm Nb2O5 from surface (MC_AD24_127).
Mata da Corda covers ~2200km2 in the Arco do Alto Paranaíba region.
It was selected based on a geological survey by the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Geological Service of Brazil which found that it was significantly prospective for REE exploration.
This quickly turned towards its titanium dioxide potential after sampling returned strong anomalies in June 2024.
Comprehensive studies are underway to characterise the heavy mineral sands, optimise extraction processes for titanium minerals, and develop a conceptual flowsheet for a potential processing plant.
This article was developed in collaboration with Equinox Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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