McLaren Minerals Hits 24m at 7.54% HM as Three Batches Beat Resource Grade
Key Takeaways
- The headline hole MAC467 returned 24m at 7.54% HM from surface, with a peak one-metre assay of 20.10% HM — the strongest result in the latest 61-hole batch covering 1,293m of sampled intervals.
- 70% of holes in the batch averaged at least 4% HM, and 33% averaged at least 5% HM, with all intervals commencing at surface and no HM cut-off applied — making these true whole-interval averages, not cherry-picked zones.
- Three consecutive 2026 drilling batches have each averaged above the existing Mineral Resource grade of 4.5% HM, with the latest batch also delivering the broadest average sampled thickness of 21.2m across the three releases.
- The existing Mineral Resource stands at 529Mt at 4.5% HM; a Resource Update incorporating all 2026 drilling data is expected later in 2026, with metallurgical test work and BFS-supporting studies also progressing.
- McLaren has completed the acquisition of the zircon-rich Barossa Project in South Australia, adding a second mineral sands growth platform in the Eucla Basin alongside the primary Western Australian titanium asset.
McLaren delivers standout 24m at 7.54% HM, bolstering case for resource upgrade
McLaren Minerals has released the latest batch of assay results from its 2026 Mineral Resource Upgrade and Expansion drilling programme at the wholly owned McLaren Titanium Project in Western Australia. The headline result, MAC467, returned 24m at 7.54% HM from surface, headlining a 61-hole batch covering 1,293m of complete sampled intervals, all commencing at surface with no HM cut-off applied.
The batch returns a length-weighted average of 4.57% HM over an average sampled thickness of 21.2m. Grade distribution was broad and strong across the full dataset, with 43 holes (70%) averaging at least 4% HM, 20 holes (33%) at least 5% HM, 6 holes (10%) at least 6% HM, and 3 holes averaging at least 7% HM. Ten holes returned at least 21m at 5% HM or better, including 8 holes extending for at least 24m. Nine holes returned at least one individual one-metre assay of ≥10% HM.
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Standout intercepts from the latest batch
Grade and width are appearing together across this batch, not just in isolated pockets. The standout individual holes demonstrate that high grades are being delivered across commercially meaningful thicknesses, all commencing from surface. Because no HM cut-off was applied, these averages reflect each hole’s complete sampled interval, not selected high-grade zones.
| Hole ID | From (m) | Thickness (m) | Average HM Grade (%) | Peak 1m Grade (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAC467 | 0 | 24 | 7.54% | 20.10% (23–24m) |
| MAC468 | 0 | 13 | 7.25% | 17.64% (12–13m) |
| MAC510 | 0 | 10 | 7.15% | 10.00% (6–7m) |
| MAC529 | 0 | 15 | 6.45% | 8.51% (11–12m) |
| MAC532 | 0 | 27 | 5.83% | 8.70% (17–18m) |
| MAC535 | 0 | 24 | 5.58% | 8.84% (15–16m) |
| MAC521 | 0 | 27 | 5.37% | 8.34% (17–18m) |
In both MAC467 and MAC468, the peak one-metre assay occurs in the final metre of the reported interval, meaning the mineralisation may not be fully constrained at depth. The reported collars span approximately 1.98km east-west and 2.87km north-south, confirming this is a spatially broad result set, not a localised cluster.
What is heavy mineral grade, and why does it matter here?
Heavy mineral (HM) grade measures the percentage of heavy minerals present in a bulk sample by weight. In mineral sands exploration, these heavy minerals include ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, and zircon, all of which are key inputs into titanium dioxide pigment production and a range of high-tech industrial applications.
The practical implication is straightforward: higher HM grade means more recoverable mineral per tonne of material processed, which directly lowers the cost per unit of production.
Two additional factors make these results particularly relevant. First, all intervals commence at surface, meaning no overburden stripping is required, which is a meaningful advantage for future mining economics. Second, because no HM cut-off was applied, the averages are true whole-interval figures, not the product of selecting only the best-grading sections within a hole.
The existing Mineral Resource stands at 529Mt at 4.5% HM. The latest batch averages 4.57% HM across an average sampled thickness of 21.2m. Results consistently at or above the existing Resource average, across broad widths, support confidence in the upcoming Resource Update.
Three consecutive batches all exceed the 2025 resource grade
This is not a single standout result in isolation. It is the third consecutive batch of 2026 drilling results to average above the existing Mineral Resource grade of 4.5% HM, and that consistency across a growing dataset carries cumulative weight as the Resource Update approaches.
Simon Finnis, Managing Director
“…It is worth reflecting on the last few McLaren releases and the average HM grades reported from surface: 19 August 2026 – Average HM grade of 4.96% over an average of 15.8m depth; 1st September 2026 – Average HM grade of 5.44% over an average of 16.2m depth, and 15th September 2026 – Average HM grade of 4.57% over a remarkable 21m average depth. Noting that all of these results exceed the grade of the 2025 Mineral Resource of 529Mt @ 4.5% HM gives confidence for the next Mineral Resource Update due later this year.”
The three-batch trend in summary:
- 19 August 2026: Average HM grade of 4.96% over an average depth of 15.8m
- 1 September 2026: Average HM grade of 5.44% over an average depth of 16.2m
- 15 September 2026: Average HM grade of 4.57% over an average depth of 21.2m
Each of these averages exceeds the existing 529Mt at 4.5% HM Mineral Resource grade. The third batch is particularly notable for its 21.2m average sampled thickness, the broadest of the three, indicating that high-grade mineralisation is being encountered across substantial widths consistently across the drill footprint.
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What comes next for McLaren Minerals
The company has outlined a clear near-term work programme flowing directly from the 2026 drilling results:
- Receipt, validation, and reporting of the remaining 2026 assay results, including one drill hole for which complete results are not yet available
- Integration of the complete 2026 drilling dataset into the updated geological model and Mineral Resource estimate
- Progression of metallurgical test work and technical studies supporting future Ore Reserve estimation and Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) activities
The existing Mineral Resource is 529Mt at 4.5% HM, comprising an Indicated Resource of 249Mt at 4.70% HM (in-situ HM of 11.8Mt) and an Inferred Resource of 280Mt at 4.20% HM (in-situ HM of 11.9Mt). The Resource Update expected later in 2026 will incorporate all 2026 drilling data, including this latest batch.
Beyond the McLaren Titanium Project, the company has also completed the acquisition of the zircon-rich Barossa Project in South Australia, establishing a second mineral sands growth platform in the Eucla Basin. That project provides additional optionality as the primary McLaren asset advances through its technical study pathway toward development.
The zircon-rich intersections at the Barossa Project reported earlier this year outlined a second mineral sands growth platform for McLaren, with the Eucla Basin tenure adding diversified commodity exposure alongside the primary titanium asset in Western Australia.
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