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- Study of historical drilling confirms thick, high-grade HMS mineralisation from surface.
- Consistent near-surface mineralisation supports potential for low strip ratio.
- Potential target: Valuable heavy mineral assemblage.
- Independent mineral sands specialists engaged to deliver exploration target.
Tusker Minerals (ASX:TSK) has identified high-grade heavy mineral sands (HMS) potential through a desktop study of its Douala Basin project in coastal Cameroon. The study of the 2,580 sq. km coastal sedimentary terrain was undertaken ahead of “aggressive” exploration aimed at producing a JORC-compliant target.
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The desktop analysis examined previous sonic drilling undertaken by French major Eramet, which intersected consistent heavy mineralisation from surface, confirming the presence of rutile and zircon within the valuable heavy mineral suite.
Key intercepts included 10 metres at 5% total heavy mineral (THM) from surface; 12 metres at 4.7% THM from surface; 7.7 metres at 4% THM from surface, and 18 metres at 3.7% THM from surface, ending in mineralisation.
Tusker’s CEO, Cliff Fitzhenry, said the project’s coastal location provides immediate access to existing port, road and power infrastructure, positioning it favourably for future development in the global HMS supply chain.
“We are highly encouraged by the clear high-grade, near-surface mineralisation demonstrated at Douala Basin. With historical intercepts already demonstrating thick, surface-starting mineralisation with meaningful rutile and zircon values close to port infrastructure, this project is a compelling second- front opportunity within our Cameroon portfolio,” he said.
“Commissioning a JORC exploration target and advancing infill drilling will allow us to quickly quantify and de-risk this significant HMS asset.”
Tusker has engaged mineral sands specialists Mineral Technologies to commission the exploration target over the areas of confirmed high-grade HMS mineralisation.
“This will provide the market with an initial quantified assessment of the project’s scale and grade potential based on the historical dataset. In parallel, the company is planning targeted infill drilling, commencing in Q3, to validate and extend the high-grade zones identified by historical drilling,” Mr Fitzhenry said.
“This work will be supported by Tusker’s in-house heavy mineral sands laboratory in Yaoundé, enabling rapid turnaround times and consistent analytical quality.”
Douala Basin complements Tusker’s flagship Central Rutile Project and forms part of the company’s broader critical minerals strategy in Cameroon.
TSK opens at 9.8¢. Mkt cap $10.46M.
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