Empire Metals Ltd (AIM: EEE) announced significant findings at its Pitfield location, indicating it hosts a world-class, large-scale titanium mineral system.
The company reported assay results from two drill holes reaching down to 350 meters (m). These included a 297m stretch containing TiO2 (titanium dioxide) with an average grade of 6.1% in one hole, and a 173m stretch at 5.76% in another. The initial hole of the current drilling program yielded 276m at 4.57%.
Empire’s statement highlighted that all three diamond drill holes completed so far have encountered robust, sediment-hosted titanium mineralization along their entire lengths. This includes thick layers of higher-grade mineralization, with each hole ending in mineralized zones.
The two drill holes, positioned 12km apart, targeted the southern and central parts of the expansive 40km by 8km by 5km Pitfield mineral system.
Shaun Bunn, the managing director, described the findings as extraordinary, emphasizing the presence of strong, widespread titanium mineralization with thick, high-grade layers near the surface. He noted the impressive grades, with TiO2 values exceeding 7% in layers more than 50m thick within a fully altered and mineralized sedimentary sequence.
Bunn also mentioned that the next phase of RC drilling has begun and is progressing well. This phase includes 40 RC drill holes, totalling 6,000m, effectively doubling the length drilled in the initial RC campaign. Plans are in place for an additional, similar-sized RC drilling program in early 2024, focusing on shallower areas with high-grade TiO2 beds.
