Environmental Studies Begin as Petratherm Advances Rosewood Mining Plans
Petratherm Limited has initiated an extensive resource drilling program at its Rosewood Titanium Project, aiming to define a maiden JORC resource over a 40km area. Concurrent environmental baseline studies are also underway to support future mining applications.
- Resource drilling commenced with over 400 air core holes planned
- Targeting maiden JORC Indicated and Inferred resource across 40km
- High-grade heavy mineral sands rich in titanium minerals identified
- Drilling expected to complete by Christmas 2025 with assays to follow
- Environmental baseline studies initiated to support mining lease application
Resource Drilling Kicks Off at Rosewood
Petratherm Limited (ASX, PTR) has officially begun resource drilling at its Rosewood Titanium Project in South Australia, marking a significant step forward in advancing this promising heavy mineral sands discovery. The program involves approximately 400 air core drill holes totaling 8,000 metres, designed to deliver a maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate. The drilling covers an expansive 40-kilometre area, with a focus on upgrading a substantial portion of the mineralisation to the Indicated category.
High-Grade Mineralisation with Strong Titanium Content
Previous exploration has revealed two high-grade zones of heavy mineral sands (HMS) with mineralisation starting at shallow depths of 5 to 7 metres. These zones boast heavy mineral concentrations exceeding 5%, with much of the area surpassing 8%. Importantly, the mineral assemblage is dominated by valuable titanium minerals, with assays indicating up to 95% valuable heavy mineral content. The coarse grain size of the sands suggests that conventional gravity spiral processing could achieve very high mineral recoveries, enhancing the project's economic potential.
Strategic Drilling Design and Joint Venture Details
The drilling program is carefully designed based on 3D grade variability analysis to optimize drill spacing, ranging from 200 by 500 metres to 100 by 200 metres. Rosewood East, wholly owned by Petratherm, is the primary focus for achieving an Indicated resource, while the broader Rosewood area, including Rosewood West (a joint venture with Narryer Metals), is targeted for Inferred resources. The shallow, soft sand host geology allows for efficient and cost-effective drilling operations, with the program expected to wrap up before the Christmas break.
Environmental Baseline Studies Underway
In parallel with drilling, Petratherm has commenced long-lead environmental baseline studies managed by ERIAS Group, a respected environmental consultancy. These studies cover flora and fauna assessments at Rosewood and along a potential haulage route to nearby rail infrastructure. This proactive approach aims to streamline future mining lease applications and regulatory approvals, reflecting the company's commitment to responsible project development.
Looking Ahead
CEO Peter Reid expressed confidence in the project's potential, highlighting the decision to undertake additional infill drilling to secure a robust resource classification. As assay results and environmental data become available, investors and stakeholders will gain clearer insights into the project's viability and timeline. The Rosewood Titanium Project continues to position Petratherm as a notable player in the critical minerals sector, with its high-grade titanium sands offering promising prospects amid growing demand for such resources.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses and environmental studies unfold, Petratherm’s Rosewood project edges closer to defining a valuable titanium resource with significant development potential.
Questions in the middle?
- When can investors expect the maiden JORC resource estimate to be released?
- How might the joint venture with Narryer Metals influence project development timelines?
- What are the potential environmental or regulatory hurdles that could impact mining lease approvals?
