Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) turns up the heat on titanium in Brazil’s volcanic heart
March 27, 2025In an era of critical minerals crunch, Australia’s Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) may have struck a geological goldmine — minus the gold — in Brazil’s volcanic hinterlands.
The company’s Mata da Corda project has emerged as a high-grade, multi-commodity discovery with a critical point of difference: an exceptional 84.7% heavy mineral content supporting simple gravity separation, and the potential to produce premium titanium dioxide (TiO₂) concentrate.
In a market projected to swell from US$29 billion to over US$53 billion by 2033, titanium isn’t just for whitening toothpaste — it’s a key player in defence, aerospace, and renewables.
And Equinox Resources appears poised to carve a niche at the supply end.
The standout?
Mata da Corda’s mineralogical simplicity.
“The successful separation of a clean heavy mineral concentrate and the clear identification of titanium-rich fractions demonstrate the project’s strong potential to become a significant future source of premium titanium minerals,” said Managing Director Zac Komur.
Test work conducted at Mineral Technologies in Queensland confirmed that the mineralised material responds exceptionally well to conventional gravity and magnetic separation — a rarity in emerging jurisdictions where metallurgy often muddies the waters.
Key Highlights:
-
84.7% heavy mineral content supports reagent-free gravity beneficiation.
-
Magnetic separation identifies high-grade ilmenite and titanomagnetite fractions, enriching for TiO₂.
-
Up to 15.5% TiO₂ and 15,468 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides intersected in drill holes.
-
Ongoing QEMSCAN and XRF work to delineate rare earth and niobium potential in slimes fraction.
-
Free-dig mineralisation from surface simplifies potential development pathway.
While rare earths and niobium add sizzle, it’s the sheer grade and simplicity of the titanium component that sets Mata da Corda apart — especially in a world hunting for ESG-aligned critical mineral sources outside China.
Geologically, the region’s kamafugite-hosted mineralisation is more than a curiosity.
These ultra-alkaline volcanic rocks — once likened to South Africa’s kimberlites — carry not only titanium but also whisper the potential of deep mantle-sourced mineral systems.
As Equinox leans into its QEMSCAN work, understanding how monazite, xenotime, and columbite distribute through slimes may unlock further upside in the project’s fine fractions.
The metallurgy, for once, is telling a good story — clean, simple, and scalable.
It’s still early days, but Equinox may be on the cusp of rewriting Brazil’s titanium playbook, with Australia playing the lead role.
As Komur put it, “This represents a pivotal milestone in unlocking value from the Mata da Corda Titanium Project, and a meaningful step forward for Equinox Resources and our shareholders”
Please note the following valuable information before using this website.
Independent Research
Market Open Australia is intended to be used only for educational and informative purposes, and any information on this website should not be taken as investment advice or guidance. It is important to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions, which should be based on your own investment needs and personal circumstances. Any investment decisions based on information contained on this website should be taken in line with independent financial advice from a qualified professional or should be independently researched and verified.
