Titanium Sands Ltd (ASX:TSL) has observed encouraging signs in the first batch of results from the ongoing resource infill and extension drilling programme at its Mannar Island Project in Sri Lanka.
A total of 77 drill holes have been completed. Results from the first 68 drill holes have been received and all holes have returned significant heavy mineral intercepts with intercepts of up to 11m at over 8% Total Heavy Minerals (THM) and with individual samples returning values in excess of 20% THM.
The programme consists of about 300 holes 12m deep for a total meterage of around 3,600m. The primary objective of the drilling is to convert more of the resource in the high-grade zone from an inferred to indicated mineral resource category by decreasing the RC aircore drill line separation from a nominal 400m to 200m.
All 77 holes drilled so far in this current programme have reached the target depth of 12m. Of the 77 holes completed so far, 33 have been drilled beneath a 2km2 high grade resource zone previously only drilled by two to three metres deep auger drilling. All except two of the 33 12m RC aircore holes in this zone returned intercepts of 2-9% THM below the shallow resource.
The programme is contained within the company’s high grade resource zone as outlined in the initial scoping study. This high-grade zone contains a mineral resource3 of 93Mt at 5.24%THM of which 32% is in the indicated category. It represents 35% of the total current mineral resource estimate for the project of 265Mt at 4.38%THM.
The drilling is being managed by the Sri Lankan Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Technical Services Division (GSMBTS) using TSL’s reverse circulation/aircore drilling rig.
Drilling operations have been interrupted several times by issues related to Covid-19 and more recently by political related protests that have resulted in the entire Sri Lankan Ministry resigning and being replaced over recent weeks. Completion of the remaining resource infill and extension drilling programme will be completed as soon as practical.