Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX:TTM, OTC:TTTNF) has reported another round of strong drill results from the Linderos Copper Project in southern Ecuador, where joint venture partner Hanrine — a subsidiary of Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd — is pushing ahead with a 25,000-metre program to test the scale of the porphyry system.
The latest results confirm mineralisation over more than 1 kilometre of strike and depth, with wide copper-gold intersections strengthening the case for a large-scale porphyry discovery.
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Plan view of the Copper Ridge prospect displaying interpreted surface geology and drilling (drill traces coloured by Cu%. The Meseta gold prospect is shown for context, where drilling has only been completed down to a depth of 150m. Note that mineralisation appears to be following a northwest-southeast corridor, and as such remains open in these directions.
Strong intercepts from recent holes
Hanrine has now completed 11,453 metres across 11 diamond holes, with the most recent assays returning:
- 693.9 metres at 0.25% copper equivalent (CuEq) from 325.5 metres, including 164 metres at 0.33% CuEq from 594 metres, in DHCR-09.
- 262.9 metres at 0.37% CuEq from 196.1 metres, including 16 metres at 0.70% CuEq from 359.1 metres, in DHCR-05.
- 274.4 metres at 0.30% CuEq from 342.7 metres, including 30 metres at 0.45% CuEq from 403.5 metres, in DHCR-11.
These sit alongside previously reported intervals such as 735 metres at 0.23% CuEq from 385 metres in DHCR-02 and 308 metres at 0.35% CuEq from 54 metres in hole CRDD22-003. Mineralisation remains open both laterally and at depth.
Copper Ridge long section looking west, displaying drill traces coloured by Cu% and a simplified interpretation of the mineralised porphyry system. It can be observed that mineralisation remains open at depth, to the northwest (under Meseta Gold prospect) and the southeast where there has been no previous drilling.
Hancock steps up earn-in
Hanrine reached its second earn-in milestone in June by completing 10,000 metres of drilling, increasing its interest in Linderos to 30%.
Work is now under way on the third milestone, requiring a further 15,000 metres of drilling to lift its stake to 51%. Two rigs are on site, with completion targeted for mid-2026. Titan will also receive a US$1 million cash payment upon milestone completion.
CEO Melanie Leighton said the partnership structure allows Titan to maintain exposure while avoiding dilution.
“We are excited to share more highly encouraging results from the Linderos Copper Project, where our JV partner Hanrine (Hancock subsidiary) has been undertaking a two-phase, 25,000 metre diamond drilling campaign as part of their project earn-in commitment,” Leighton said.
“Partnering with Hancock allows for non-dilutive exploration and development of the Linderos Project, while maintaining Titan’s exposure to the exploration upside of what could be a significant scale porphyry copper deposit in an emerging mining jurisdiction,” she added. “Hancock have proven themselves to be a fully committed project partner, with the technical and financial capability to unlock significant value for Titan’s shareholders through its in-ground investment at Linderos, and we are excited to see the results from further drilling currently under way.”
Growing system potential
Drilling at the Copper Ridge prospect has shown the porphyry body extends further than originally defined by Titan’s 2022 campaign, with mineralisation trending northwest-southeast and remaining untested to the southeast and under the adjacent Meseta gold prospect.
Hanrine’s program is designed to continue probing these extensions, with geological interpretation suggesting potential for higher-grade zones associated with potassic alteration and dense porphyry veining.
Located in Ecuador’s Loja Province near the Peruvian border, Linderos covers 143 square kilometres and sits within a proven Andean porphyry belt that hosts major copper and gold systems.
Titan Minerals southern Ecuador Projects, peer deposits and surrounding infrastructure.
With Hancock funding and managing the current drilling phase, Titan said it expects continued newsflow from ongoing assays as the campaign advances into 2026.