(Sharecast News) - Empire Metals unveiled the analytical lab results from the final 22 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia on Wednesday.
The AIM-traded firm said the results, combined with previous findings, confirmed the presence of higher grades of titanium dioxide mineralisation within the near-surface, highly weathered zone of bedrock, encompassing the expansive titanium-rich mineral system.
Highlights from the recent findings included consistently higher titanium dioxide grades identified in the uppermost 40 metres of mineralised bedded sandstone, closely corresponding to the near-surface zone of weathering at both key target areas, Cosgrove and Thomas.
The analytical lab results from the 22 holes all identified high-grade titanium dioxide mineralisation, spanning from near-surface depths to the end of each hole.
Empire Metals said it had also completed four diamond drill holes, yielding excellent core recovery from surface, with analytical results currently pending.
Logging of the diamond drill core affirmed significant near-surface weathering of the sandstones coinciding with higher titanium dioxide grades, with mineralogical and metallurgical assessment of the weathered mineralised sandstones currently underway.
Notable intercepts included RC24TOM022, intersecting 154 metres at 6.76% titanium dioxide from ground level to end of hole, as well as RC24TOM021, intersecting 150 metres at 6.44% titanium dioxide from four metres to end of hole.
RC24COS032 meanwhile intersected 154 metres at 6.31% titanium dioxide from ground level to end of hole, while RC24COS030 intersected 142 metres at 6.05% titanium dioxide from 12 metres to end of hole.
The programme brought the total drilling completed to date to 107 holes for 17,003 metres, including seven diamond core holes for 2,025 metres.
Empire Metals said the findings would be instrumental in delineating JORC exploration targets at both the Cosgrove and Thomas areas, representing a pivotal step in the mineral resource development programme.
Empire said it had appointed Snowden Optiro, an Australian mining and resources consulting and advisory group, to provide independent advice, consulting, and training to support the exploration team.
They would also assist with the QA/QC and geological modelling required in the development of the JORC exploration targets.
"I am delighted to announce the latest results from our recent RC drilling which have provided further evidence of extensive high-grade titanium mineralisation within our two key target areas," said managing director Shaun Bunn.
"What is particularly exciting is the identification of significantly higher titanium dioxide grades within the highly oxidised saprolite zone found near surface.
"Logging of the diamond core has confirmed strong, deep weathering of the mineralised sandstones and we have initiated additional mineralogical and metallurgical studies specifically aimed at assessing the grade-enriching affect that weathering appears to have had on the mineral assemblage."
Bunn said that in the meantime, delineation of a resource development exploration target for the Cosgrove and Thomas prospects was gathering momentum.
"We have engaged Snowden Optiro, a leading Australian resources consulting and advisory group, to provide independent advice, consulting and training to support our exploration team and to assist with the QA/QC and geological modelling in the build-up to completing the exploration target."
At 1227 BST, Empire Metals shares were down 2.38% at 9.03p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Empire Metals (EEE)