Marmota (ASX: MEU) has further confirmed the potential of its recent Muckanippie heavy minerals discovery in South Australia with the identification of a regional scale palaeochannel of high-value titanium.

New studies suggest the palaeochannel crosses Marmota’s discovery of exceptional thick rich titanium mineralisation at Muckanippie and Petratherm’s (ASX: PTR) nearby discovery of thick rich titanium mineralisation.

Marmota’s management says the confirmation of the palaeochannel also expands the prospective areas for channel/fluvial hosted titanium mineralisation on its Muckanippie tenement EL 6166, and its adjacent tenements EL 6679 and EL 6005 permits.

Geological Survey of South Australia confirmation

Recent studies undertaken by the Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) have supported the new interpretation of the palaeochannel showing it brackets Petratherm and Marmota’s titanium discoveries at Muckanippie.

Marmota is estimated to hold approximately 28km in length of the highly prospective titanium-bearing palaeochannel on its tenements, with around 10km lying within the company’s tenements to the west, and a further 18km within tenements to the east.

The Geological Survey of South Australia has assessed that the palaeochannel is up to around 5km in width over Marmota’s tenements.

The GSSA studies have also identified prime follow-up targets, with bends of the palaeochannel considered highly prospective for concentrations of heavy minerals concentrates (HM) being deposited where the fluvial system has changed speed, such as in a depression or at a bend.

Metallurgical test work underway

In mid-December 2024, Marmota sent high-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) samples to ALS Laboratories for metallurgical test work to determine the heavy mineral properties of the samples.

The metallurgical test work will include heavy liquid separation (HLS) to determine the percentage of heavy mineral concentrates of each sample and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) laboratory analysis to determine the TiO2 content of the heavy mineral concentrates of each sample.

Initial results are expected in the coming weeks.

High value discovery

Titanium is considered a critical mineral in many countries, including Australia, due to its use in a range of modern technologies.

Chemically derived titanium dioxide boosts the efficiency and durability of photovoltaic cells in solar panels for renewable energy infrastructure. New sodium titanate batteries are the subject of intense development due to their safety, financial and environmental benefits over lithium-ion batteries.

Notably, titanium was one of only 12 minerals included in the December 2024 NATO List of Defence Critical Raw Materials.

Precedence Research has estimated that the global titanium market was valued at $45.8 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach around $86 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2034.