Terra Metals Ltd (ASX:TM1, FRA:21V) says drilling at its Dante Project in Western Australia has confirmed a large, thick titanium–vanadium–gallium discovery at the SW3 and SW4 prospects, significantly expanding the scale and metal mix of the Southwest corridor.
Results from recent reverse circulation drilling show the SW3–SW4 system now extends over more than 800 metres of strike and at least 400 metres of width from surface, with individual high-grade oxide reef packages reaching up to 60 metres thick. Terra says this is around 11 times thicker than the basal reef that underpins the current 148-million-tonne Mineral Resource Estimate at Dante Reefs 1 and 2.
Location of the Southwest Prospect stratigraphically above the MRE at Dante Reef 1 (Crius) and Reef 2 (Hyperion). Partially outcropping magnetite reefs stand out as prominent, linear magnetic highs on the regional aeromagnetic data (“AMAG”) displayed using a pseudo-colour spectrum.
The discovery builds on a series of recent polymetallic hits at Southwest, where the company has already identified high-grade platinum group metal (PGM)–copper–nickel sulphide mineralisation above and below the thick oxide reefs, confirming the area as a vertically stacked, multi-metal system.
Plan view of the Southwest Prospect showing target areas, drill collar locations, and historical electromagnetic (“EM”) anomalies (shaded background). Recent discovery holes SWT008 and SWT011 are highlighted.
Thick, near-surface oxide reefs confirmed
The latest drilling targeted the SW3 and SW4 prospects within the broader Southwest area and returned multiple long, high-grade intersections of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V) and gallium (Ga) from shallow depths.
Notable results included:
- SWT002: 33m at 14.7% TiO₂, 0.57% V₂O₅ and 52ppm Ga₂O₃ from 182m, plus 21m at 10.5% TiO₂, 0.40% V₂O₅ and 43ppm Ga₂O₃ from 101m
- SWT001: 32m at 13.1% TiO₂, 0.51% V₂O₅ and 49ppm Ga₂O₃ from 144m
- SWRC014: 25m at 14.3% TiO₂, 0.56% V₂O₅ and 51ppm Ga₂O₃ from 35m
- SWRC010: 15m at 14.7% TiO₂, 0.56% V₂O₅ and 55ppm Ga₂O₃ from 20m
Terra said the geometry, thickness and lateral continuity of the oxide reefs point to the potential for a large, shallow bulk-tonnage system, with mineralisation remaining open along strike and at depth.
New and previous drill results at SW3 and SW4 within the Southwest Prospect area, showing drill collars, drill intercepts, section lines, and EM anomalies.
Gallium adds a critical minerals angle
A key feature of the SW3–SW4 results is consistent gallium enrichment within the oxide reefs, typically in the 40–55ppm Ga₂O₃ range. Gallium is classified as a critical mineral by Australia, the United States and the European Union, with global supply currently dominated by China.
Terra said the gallium appears closely associated with magnetite, suggesting it could be recovered alongside titanium and vanadium through magnetic separation, potentially adding a valuable by-product stream.
Scandium-rich wall rocks and locally elevated copper, nickel, cobalt and PGM values further highlight the polymetallic nature of the Southwest system.
Vertically stacked polymetallic system emerging
Managing director and CEO Thomas Line said the SW4 results represent a significant step forward for the Dante Project.
“We have confirmed a very large, thick and laterally continuous titanium–vanadium–gallium system, with high-grade magnetite reef packages up to 60 metres thick extending from surface and remaining open along strike and at depth,” Line said.
He added that the scale and consistency of mineralisation supports the potential for a deposit larger and thicker than the existing Dante Reefs resource, with additional Ti-V-Ga intercepts at SW1, SW5 and further north suggesting the system could extend over at least 1.8 kilometres of strike.
Importantly, the oxide reef results sit within the same intrusive corridor where Terra has recently reported high-grade feeder-style PGM–copper–nickel sulphides, confirming Southwest as a vertically stacked magmatic system hosting multiple mineralisation styles.
Read more: Terra Metals uncovers standout high-grade PGM discovery at Dante’s Southwest Prospect
Resource growth and next steps
Assays remain pending for several visually identified sulphide intervals from earlier Southwest drilling, providing further near-term exploration upside. Terra expects to recommence drilling shortly and has commenced preliminary metallurgical test work.
The company is targeting a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the SW3–SW4 area in 2026, which would add a new, thick near-surface component to the broader Dante Project inventory.
With titanium, vanadium and iron forming the backbone of the system — and gallium, scandium, PGMs and base metals emerging as potential by-products — Terra says Southwest is shaping up as a multi-commodity discovery with multiple value drivers as exploration and test work continue.
Location of the company’s Dante Project tenure, overlying the geology map of the West Musgrave Region.