Peak Minerals Uncovers High-Grade Rutile at Minta Project

Giant Rutile Discovery Expands at Cameroon's Minta Project

Peak Minerals (ASX: PUA) has announced a significant expansion of the heavy mineral zone at its Minta Rutile Project, with exceptional drilling results confirming a mineralized footprint approaching 1,500 square kilometers.

Exceptional Drilling Results Reveal Expansive Mineralisation

The latest assay results from 156 holes across the Minta, Minta Est, and Afanloum areas have yielded remarkable heavy mineral sands (HM) intercepts, including:

• 3.85m at 18.4% HM and 4.75m at 14.2% HM in consecutive holes at Afanloum
• 5m at 10.7% HM and 5.65m at 5.2% HM at Minta
• 5m at 7.8% HM and 4m at 6.8% HM at Minta Est

Perhaps most significant is that 100% of holes drilled to date across the project have shown HM mineralisation with logged rutile, confirming the consistency of the deposit. The mineralized zone now covers an area approaching 1,500 square kilometers at an average depth of 4.1m.

"The scale and consistency of mineralisation emerging across the Minta Rutile Project is genuinely remarkable," said Peak Minerals Chief Executive Officer Casper Adson. "To now approach a mineralised zone of 1,500 square kilometers, with a 100% logged rutile success rate on all holes drilled to date, highlights the sheer potential of this globally significant, rutile-dominant province."

What Are Heavy Mineral Sands?

Heavy mineral sands (HMS) are ancient beach or river deposits containing dense minerals that have been naturally concentrated over time. These minerals, which include rutile and heavy minerals, are heavier than common sand minerals such as quartz and feldspar.

Rutile (TiO₂) is particularly valuable as it contains approximately 95% titanium dioxide, making it the highest-grade titanium mineral. The mineral has several important industrial applications, including:

• Production of titanium metal
• Coating for welding rods
• Pigment in paints, plastics, and paper

What makes the Peak Minerals Minta Rutile Project particularly interesting is the presence of both alluvial (water-deposited) and residual (weathered in-place) mineralisation styles. The project has shown potential for large, angular rutile nuggets that could boost the overall grade of the deposit.

Exploration Strategy and Next Steps

Peak Minerals is utilizing cost-effective hand auger drilling to systematically test an initial 3,500km² area. This reconnaissance program aims to identify higher-grade zones for follow-up infill drilling. So far, 452 drill holes have been completed, with assays pending for an additional 174 holes.

The company has outlined its forward plan:

1. Complete the reconnaissance drilling program across untested areas
2. Continue receiving and analyzing HM assays, mineral assemblage data, and oversize rutile contribution
3. Progress to targeted infill drilling in the most prospective areas
4. Work toward delivering a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2026

All planned exploration for the remainder of 2025 is fully funded, positioning the company to maintain momentum at this promising project.

The Investment Case for Peak Minerals

The Minta Rutile Project represents a potentially significant opportunity in the critical minerals sector for several reasons:

1. Scale: The mineralized zone approaching 1,500km² suggests potential for a world-class deposit
2. Grade: High-grade intercepts including values up to 18.4% HM are exceptional for this type of deposit
3. Consistency: 100% success rate in drill holes indicating rutile mineralisation
4. Minimal Overburden: Mineralisation starting from surface reduces mining costs
5. Multiple Valuable Minerals: In addition to rutile, the project has shown zircon, high-grade gold, and monazite

Peak Minerals' Executive Team is currently on the ground in Cameroon, hosting site visits and progressing the next phase of exploration. This on-site momentum is laying the groundwork for the company's planned maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2026.

Exploration Techniques at the Minta Rutile Project

The reconnaissance drilling program at the Peak Minerals Minta Rutile Project utilizes hand auger drilling, which is particularly effective for heavy mineral sand deposits. This technique offers several advantages:

1. Cost-effectiveness: Hand auger drilling is significantly less expensive than mechanical drilling methods
2. Suitability for terrain: The technique is well-suited to the residual soils at Minta due to the stability of the drilled formations
3. Near-surface targeting: As the mineralisation occurs from surface to relatively shallow depths (average 4.1m), hand auger drilling can effectively sample the entire mineralised zone
4. Sample quality: The method provides good sample recovery and representation of the heavy mineral content

The company is using this approach to systematically test broad areas before focusing on more intensive infill drilling in the most promising zones.

Why Investors Should Watch Peak Minerals

The Minta Rutile Project shows all the hallmarks of a potential tier-one heavy mineral sands development. With a mineralized footprint approaching 1,500km², consistent high-grade results, and multiple valuable minerals present, Peak Minerals is positioned to potentially develop a globally significant rutile resource.

The company's systematic exploration approach, starting with low-cost hand auger drilling to identify high-grade zones before more intensive infill drilling, demonstrates a capital-efficient strategy to unlocking value.

For investors interested in the critical minerals space, particularly titanium minerals that are essential for various high-tech and industrial applications, Peak Minerals represents an emerging opportunity at the gold discovery stage – typically when the greatest value creation occurs in resource development.

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