Enova Strikes Titanium-REE Gold in Brazil: High-Grade Auger Results Light Up CODA Central
Enova Mining Ltd (ASX: ENV) has announced exceptional results from its initial auger drilling program at the CODA Central Project in Brazil, revealing substantial near-surface titanium, rare earth elements (REE), and niobium mineralisation that could position the company as a significant player in the critical minerals sector.
Spectacular Grades From Surface Validate Multi-Commodity Potential
The initial five auger holes drilled across a 12km² area at CODA Central have delivered impressive intercepts of high-grade titanium oxide (TiO₂), with significant rare earth elements and niobium as valuable by-products. Standout results from Enova Mining Ltd titanium drilling results in Brazil include:
- 25m @ 12.0% TiO₂ from surface (CDC-AD-001), including 18m @ 13.89% TiO₂ from 7m
- 23m @ 10.9% TiO₂ from surface (CDC-AD-004), including 11m @ 13.99% TiO₂ from surface
- 15m @ 4,041ppm TREO with 22.5% NdPr from surface (CDC-AD-005)
- 19m @ 848ppm Nb₂O₅ from 6m (CDC-AD-001)
All five holes intersected substantial mineralisation from surface, highlighting the accessibility of these resources and potential for low-cost extraction methods.
"Exceptional near-surface intercepts from our auger drilling at CODA Central, including titanium grades exceeding 16% TiO₂ and consistently high TREO-NdPr ratios, highlights the project's immense scale and critical mineral potential," said CEO Eric Vesel.
What Makes This Discovery Special? Understanding Saprolitised Kamafugite
The mineralisation at CODA Central is hosted in "saprolitised kamafugite" – a term worth explaining for investors new to this type of geology. Kamafugite is a rare ultramafic volcanic rock that's undergone extensive weathering (saprolitisation) to form clay-rich material.
This weathering process is crucial as it concentrates valuable elements like titanium and rare earth elements near the surface. The resulting reddish-brown, clay-rich texture creates ideal conditions for potential low-cost mining and processing.
The importance for investors is twofold: first, surface or near-surface mineralisation typically means lower mining costs; second, the clay-rich nature of the deposit may enable simpler processing methods compared to hard-rock mining operations.
Metallurgical Testing Already Underway
Enova Mining Ltd titanium drilling results in Brazil have prompted the company to move quickly on metallurgical testing. The company has already collected a 270kg composite sample that's undergoing comprehensive metallurgical testing in both Brazil and Australia:
- Mineral Technologies in Brisbane is evaluating processing pathways for recovering both titanium and REEs
- CIT Senai in Belo Horizonte is conducting particle size distribution analysis and magnetic separation trials
- Enova's research facility in Malaysia is progressing leaching trials for REE extraction
These parallel workstreams demonstrate the company's commitment to rapidly advancing the project from exploration to potential development.
Strategic Context: Critical Minerals in a Tier-One Jurisdiction
Brazil represents a strategic location for critical minerals development, offering numerous advantages:
- Stable, low-risk mining jurisdiction with well-established regulatory frameworks
- No government ownership mandates and minimal interference
- Proximity to key infrastructure and skilled workforce
- Strong mining services sector
Enova's strengthened Brazil presence through the CODA Central Project is particularly well-positioned within the Minas Gerais state, a region with a rich mining history and supportive local government.
| Critical Mineral | Key Applications | CODA Central Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium (TiO₂) | Aerospace, medical, pigments | Up to 18% grades from surface |
| Rare Earth Elements | Permanent magnets, electronics | High NdPr ratios (~22.5%) |
| Niobium (Nb₂O₅) | Steel strengthening, superconductors | Consistent grades up to 848ppm |
Understanding Titanium and Rare Earth Elements
Titanium is a versatile metal known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. It's used in aerospace components, medical implants, and as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in pigments and coatings. The high-grade titanium results at CODA Central are significant because economic titanium deposits typically contain 5-15% TiO₂, making Enova's results (up to 18%) particularly noteworthy.
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals with unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. Despite their name, REEs are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, but economically viable concentrations are less common. The high percentage of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) at CODA Central is especially valuable, as these elements are essential for the permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
The high-grade REE minerals found in Brazil demonstrate the potential for a multi-commodity project that could supply these critical materials to global markets.
Next Steps: Accelerating Toward Resource Definition
Enova's immediate plans focus on extending near-surface coverage and building geological confidence across the saprolite zone at CODA Central. The company is integrating assay results with lithological interpretation to map REE distribution and identify high-priority targets for follow-up work.
Additional metallurgical test work will refine processing pathways for the ferruginous kamafugite saprolite, advancing the project toward scalable development. The mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike, suggesting potential for further extensions.
Why Investors Should Watch Enova Mining
Enova Mining presents a compelling investment case based on these latest results:
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Multi-commodity potential – The project offers exposure to titanium, rare earth elements, and niobium, all critical minerals with growing demand profiles
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Near-surface mineralisation – All significant intercepts start from surface, suggesting potential for low strip ratio and cost-effective mining
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High-grade nature – Titanium grades exceeding 15% and REE values over 4,000ppm position this as a potentially high-margin operation
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Favorable jurisdiction – Brazil's established mining sector, stable regulations, and supportive government create an ideal development environment
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Accelerated development approach – Parallel metallurgical testing and exploration activities demonstrate management's commitment to rapid advancement
As global demand for critical minerals continues to grow, driven by clean energy transition and high-tech applications, Enova Mining Ltd titanium drilling results in Brazil have positioned the company with a potentially significant discovery at the right time and in the right place.
Furthermore, with China restricting critical mineral exports, companies with assets in stable jurisdictions like Brazil are becoming increasingly important to supply chains. Many companies, such as ICU, have gained Brazil operations through strategic acquisitions, highlighting the growing importance of the region.
The company's strategic focus on titanium and rare earth elements at CODA Central, combined with its broader portfolio of critical mineral projects across Brazil and Australia, provides investors with exposure to some of the most sought-after materials in today's technology-driven economy.
In addition to titanium and REEs, other critical minerals projects in Brazil are also making progress, including EcoGraf's environmental planning for its graphite project, further establishing the country as a hub for responsible resource development.
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