Lion Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX: LRM) - Premium Grade Rutile Nuggets Confirmed at Minta - A #SamsoDYOR Story of a Developing Mineral Sands of Rutile and Monazite.
- Noel Ong
- Aug 28
- 6 min read
Announcement
Lion Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX: LRM) has delivered another milestone from its Minta Rutile Project in Cameroon, with premium-grade natural rutile nuggets confirmed across multiple locations. Independent validation by TZ Minerals International (TZMI), a leading authority in the titanium sector, has reinforced the global significance of Minta, confirming that the high-purity rutile is suitable for all major end-use industries (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Close-ups of nugget sets from multiple localities, MRGR0022 – MRGR0029, in order. Images have 6cm vertical height and 5cm horizontal width. Refer to Appendix 2 for further information. (source: LRM)
Key Highlights - A Rutile-Monazite Rich Mineral Sands Story.
🔹High-Purity Rutile Confirmed
Laboratory assays returned rutile grading up to 98.6% TiO₂ from coarse nugget samples (Figure 2). Crucially, impurities were negligible (Figure 3), making the material suitable for titanium metal (aerospace, robotics, advanced alloys), industrial welding, and TiO₂ pigment markets.
Figure 2: Microscope image of MRGR0026 before and after crushing, showing detail of the rutile mineralisation in the crystal structure. Refer Appendix 2 for further information. (source: LRM)
🔹Independent Validation by TZMI
Field teams collected coarse-grained rutile ‘nuggets’ along a 45km strike within the Minta Project (Figure 3). Independent chemical and mineralogical assessments confirmed that this rutile comfortably meets — and in some cases exceeds — specifications across all three critical titanium markets. This positions Minta not just as another rutile project, but as one that stands shoulder to shoulder with, and potentially above, global benchmark deposits
Figure 3: Map of Minta Project area showing locations of rutile nugget rock chips, with inset photos. Refer Appendix 2 for further information. (source: LRM)
🔹Oversize Rutile to Boost Grades
Inclusion of coarse nugget material into in-situ sands is expected to significantly increase overall rutile and Valuable Heavy Mineral (VHM) grades across the project.
🔹Expanding Mineralised Footprint
Results from a further 60 drill holes confirm that heavy mineralisation now extends across 2,750 km² (Figure 4), with standout intercepts such as:
4.6m @ 4.4% HM
2.6m @ 5.7% HM
3.0m @ 4.3% HM
1.4m @ 8.3% HM
Figure 4: Planned and completed drilling at the Minta Rutile Project. Recent results are outlined, with historical results also included. (Source: LRM).
🔹Rutile Dominance Confirmed
QEMSCAN analysis results verify rutile as the dominant titanium mineral in both sand and nugget fractions, strengthening the case for a long-life, high-value project (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Titanium Distribution and Particle Imaging Reinforce Rutile Dominance. (Source: LRM).
🔹Systematic Program Advancing
Auger drilling, mineralogical studies, and preliminary mining assessments are well underway, with assemblage results due by September 2025.
Lion Rock CEO, Casper Adson, emphasised three key milestones:
“These results deliver a major step forward for the Minta Rutile Project, marking three important milestones. First, independent analysis by TZMI, the world’s leading titanium consultancy, has verified that the rutile nuggets are of premium quality, with exceptionally high TiO₂ grades and no impurities, making them suitable across all major titanium markets.
“Second, ongoing exploration continues to extend the footprint of mineralisation, confirming that Minta is developing into a globally significant rutile province.
“Third, QEMSCAN mineralogical studies have confirmed rutile as the dominant titanium mineral across both the sand and oversize fractions – strengthening the case for a high-value, long-life project.
“The combination of outstanding purity, scale, and rutile dominance provides Lion Rock with a truly unique opportunity to advance a project of global significance. We are now building strong engagement with titanium end-users and industry stakeholders as we progress Minta towards development.”
Next Steps
Lion Rock remains fully funded for exploration through 2025 and into 2026, with work programs including:
Expanded mineralogical analysis of both sand and nugget heavy mineral fractions.
Imminent results from monazite, rutile, and zircon targets at Minta Est to guide infill drilling.
Preliminary mining studies indicate dredge mining suitability in alluvial zones.
Establishment of a dedicated Heavy Mineral Sands laboratory in Yaoundé to accelerate sample processing.
Increased in-field drilling and sample preparation capacity.
Samso Concluding Comments
The confirmation of premium-grade rutile nuggets at Minta underscores the strategic importance of Lion Rock’s ground in Cameroon. Independent validation by TZMI strengthens confidence that this project is on track to become a globally significant rutile province.
What stands out is the combination of purity, scale, and dominance of rutile across both sands and oversize material—an alignment that is rare in the global titanium industry. For investors, this represents a clear indicator of long-term project potential.
As always, this is early-stage exploration, and the real story will unfold as infill drilling and mining studies advance. However, Lion Rock is clearly positioning Minta as a tier-one rutile project with strong commercial pathways.
Eager readers here should keep an eye on the composition of the Minta project. Is this a mineral sands project that is now more about rutile and monazite? The value proposition could be a lot larger than just rutile? Some of the results may show that the endowment of monazite may create a dual product project. Time will set all these opportunities straight, but it is definitely becoming more than interesting.
Those who have not taken a position in Lion Rock should be doing a #SamsoDYOR.
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