Fortuna Metals’ Rutile Exploration Faces Key Assay Milestone in Late 2025
Fortuna Metals has launched phase one hand auger drilling at its Mkanda and Kampini projects in Malawi, targeting significant rutile mineralisation near Sovereign Metals’ giant Kasiya deposit. Early assay results are expected by late 2025, with a larger phase two program planned.
- Phase 1 hand auger drilling underway at Mkanda and Kampini projects
- 205-hole Phase 2 drilling planned at Mkanda, pending shareholder approval
- Projects cover 658 km² adjacent to Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya rutile deposit
- First assay results expected from late Q4 2025, samples sent to South Africa
- Soil sampling in Western Australia reveals copper-gold anomalies and rare earth potential
Exploration Momentum Builds in Malawi
Fortuna Metals Limited (ASX – FUN) has initiated its first phase of hand auger drilling at the Mkanda and Kampini rutile and graphite projects in Malawi, marking a significant step in its quest to delineate high-grade rutile mineralisation. The initial campaign involves 58 holes at Kampini and 63 at Mkanda, with samples dispatched to South African laboratories for expedited assay turnaround. The company anticipates receiving the first results by November 2025, continuing through to early 2026.
This exploration push is strategically positioned adjacent to Sovereign Metals’ world-renowned Kasiya deposit, the largest rutile and second largest flake graphite resource globally. Fortuna’s tenements cover a substantial 658 square kilometres, encompassing over 70 kilometres of strike along the same geological formation that hosts Kasiya’s rich mineralisation.
Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Drilling Approach
Fortuna’s use of hand auger drilling is a cost-effective and rapid method to test broad areas for rutile presence. The company plans a more extensive phase two program at Mkanda, comprising 205 holes spaced on an 800-metre grid, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM. This will be followed by infill drilling at 400-metre spacing to support inferred resource estimation, mirroring the approach used by Sovereign Metals at Kasiya.
CEO Tom Langley emphasised the potential scale of the discovery, noting that the widespread geology and weathered profiles are conducive to residual placer rutile deposits. The enrichment process, driven by tropical weathering, concentrates heavy minerals like rutile near surface, offering promising exploration targets.
Rutile’s Rising Strategic Importance
Rutile, a high-grade titanium dioxide mineral, is critical for pigment production, titanium metal manufacturing, and emerging technologies such as robotics. With global titanium metal markets projected to nearly double by 2034, demand for premium rutile feedstock is intensifying. Traditional rutile sources are declining, positioning Fortuna’s projects as potentially valuable contributors to the supply chain.
Fortuna’s projects benefit from excellent infrastructure proximity, including access to power, rail, water, and the capital city Lilongwe, which could facilitate future development. The company is also establishing an in-country laboratory to streamline sample preparation and analysis.
Parallel Exploration in Western Australia
Beyond Malawi, Fortuna has completed a soil sampling program at its Lyons and Edmund projects in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region. The survey identified coherent copper-gold anomalies and targets for rare earth element mineralisation associated with carbonatite intrusions. These findings open additional avenues for exploration, with further drilling and geophysical surveys planned.
Fortuna’s diversified exploration portfolio, spanning critical minerals like rutile, graphite, copper, gold, and rare earths, reflects a strategic approach to capitalising on evolving market demands.
Bottom Line?
As Fortuna awaits its first assay results, the market will be watching closely to see if these early-stage efforts translate into a significant new rutile discovery.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the phase one assays confirm economically viable rutile grades?
- How will shareholder approval impact the timing and scale of phase two drilling?
- What are the implications of Fortuna’s discoveries for the global titanium supply chain?
