Lion Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX:LRM) has launched an infill auger drilling program of more than 1,000 holes at the Minta Est area of its Minta Project in Cameroon. The work is targeting a high-value mix of rutile, zircon and rare earths contained in monazite and xenotime. The initial phase will cover about 250 square kilometres, with further infill drilling of alluvial targets scheduled for the coming dry season to build geological confidence and scale.
The drilling is centred on a “monazite-enriched granite” identified using thorium radiometry, which is interpreted as the primary source of rare earth and heavy mineral mineralisation. This source granite feeds surrounding residual soils and high-energy stream systems.
Recent field work has mapped monazite-rich alluvial zones grading up to 74% monazite, with xenotime also present, within assemblages that additionally contain rutile and zircon, pointing to a potentially valuable heavy mineral suite.
Thorium radiometric high zones and solid geology outline of granite intrusion indicate the “monazite-enriched granite” at Minta Est. Monazite results and samples currently pending are shown alongside the proposed infill drilling program.
“Lion Rock is accelerating infill drilling at the district-scale Minta Est on the monazite-enriched granite, building on outstanding rutile results of up to 2.2% in-situ rutile and stream samples confirming monazite and xenotime rare-earth mineralisation," LRC CEO Casper Adson said.
“Minta Est is emerging as a standout high-value rutile and rare-earth target, enriched in the high-value heavy rare-earth elements dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) alongside elevated samarium (Sm) across 250km2.
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“With the strength of our strategic partnership with global rare-earth and titanium leader Tronox, Lion Rock is fully funded for this phase of exploration and well positioned to continue delivering major discoveries across the Minta Project.”
Auger samples being collected at Minta Est.
Strategic backing from Tronox supports exploration push
Lion Rock is fully funded for the current phase of exploration and is advancing its rare earth and rutile strategy in partnership with Tronox Holdings plc following a recent strategic placement.
The Tronox agreement provides Lion Rock with the support of a major global rare earth and titanium industry participant. This relationship is expected to assist the company as it evaluates development options and seeks to unlock value from discoveries across the wider Minta Project area.
Lion Rock is working to secure additional contiguous tenements considered prospective for monazite, rutile and zircon, further consolidating its land position around Minta Est.
First-pass rutile results highlighted on regional Minta Project map with high-value rutile zones circled and 5km x 5km zones shown. Minta Est, the location of the commenced infill program is shown. Sovereign Metals Ltd’s (ASX: SVM) Kasiya and Sierra Rutile’s Area 1 and Sembehun projects outlines displayed for scale comparison only. The company notes these projects are not located in Cameroon.
At the same time, the company is expanding its field and laboratory teams in Cameroon.
A dedicated laboratory facility in the capital, Yaoundé, is being refurbished and equipped, and recruitment is underway for senior laboratory and country management roles to support faster turnaround of exploration samples and results.
Next steps and broader Minta Project potential
Next steps at Minta Est include prioritising downhole and near-hole assessment of rutile samples around earlier high-grade intercepts, as well as assessing reconnaissance samples for monazite, xenotime, rutile and zircon.
Infill drilling of alluvial targets is planned for the dry season, with all exploration activities at the Minta Project fully funded through 2025 and 2026.
The broader project comprises 18 granted exploration permits and three applications covering about 8,800 square kilometres in central Cameroon, where reconnaissance work has already identified high-grade alluvial and residual rutile, zircon, gold and monazite, plus angular rutile nuggets that could materially enhance total valuable heavy mineral grades.