The first heavy mineral assemblage analysis of composite samples from Marmota’s (ASX: MEU) Muckanippie titanium discovery in South Australia has returned “outstanding” high-value titanium feedstocks.

The company selected samples from the north and south sections, as well as intermediate holes across the tenement at various depths starting from surface and different sizing fractions to obtain a spread of results.

X-ray diffraction scanning on the samples returned valuable heavy mineral (VHM) content grades as high as 90%, with an average of 79%.

High rutile content

Samples tested from the north returned very high rutile content of between 18% and 24% and high pseudorutile content of between 41% and 64%.

The combined ultra-high value rutile–pseudorutile–anatase content ranged from 60% to 90%, with an average of 73%.

Extremely low deleterious element concentrations of uranium and thorium returned values below 0.002% in all tested samples.

High-value content

Marmota chair Dr Colin Rose said the company was encouraged by the identification of high-value content at Muckanippie.

“We are delighted to report a predominantly VHM titanium content in these concentrate samples from all the discovery holes and very high values of rutile and pseudorutile to the north, starting from surface,” he said.

“This adds to an unfolding discovery at Muckanippie, particularly in light of samples to the west on our adjoining tenement which returned 100% VHM titanium content.”

Critical mineral

Titanium is a critical mineral with a range of uses in energy storage, defence, space, semiconductors, surgical implants, pigments and the production of metal alloys.

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring oxide predominantly sourced from ilmenite, pseudorutile, leucoxene, rutile and anatase.

Rutile is the most superior form of titanium, typically grading up to 95% titanium dioxide, and is a small (5%) contributor to global production figures.

Analysts forecast the world’s rutile market will grow at a compound annual rate of 4.8% to US$5.2 billion by 2030, driven by growing demand from industries such as construction, automotive, packaging and electronics.

Muckanippie discovery

Marmota first discovered “exceptional” thick titanium mineralisation from surface at Muckanippie in November.

It then submitted metallurgical test work samples to specialist laboratories to determine the heavy mineral properties.

In January, the company’s geological review identified a regional-scale palaeochannel that it interpreted to transect Muckanippie and Petratherm’s (ASX: PTR) discovery of thick, rich titanium mineralisation at the same site.