West Cobar Metals Limited has announced the successful completion of a reverse circulation drilling program at its Fraser Range Project, located 120 kilometers northeast of Esperance in Southern Western Australia. The program involved nine RC drill holes totaling 1,958 meters and was designed to test several geophysical targets for copper, gold, and base metals. While significant copper and gold grades were not encountered, assay data revealed encouraging results for rare earth elements, titanium dioxide, and scandium within near surface saprolite. Notable drill intercepts include 27 meters at 718 ppm TREO – with an interval of 9 meters reaching up to 1,037 ppm TREO – and a promising 6-meter intersection at Glenmorangie showing 873 ppm TREO and over 4.4% TiO2. An intercept at the Oban prospect registered an impressive 117 meters at 3.31% TiO2 and detectable scandium levels, reinforcing the region’s potential as an emerging hub for critical minerals. The exploration efforts, funded by Minrex Resources Limited under a farm-out agreement, have effectively expanded the resource model of the neighboring Salazar Critical Minerals Project. This expanded tenement package now shows substantial potential for building upon the existing Mineral Resource Estimates that already include high grade clay-hosted deposits. The drilling targeted five prospects – Talisker, Glenmorangie, Oban, Benriach, and Glendronach – identified through detailed reprocessing of aeromagnetic, gravity, and electromagnetic data. Although the intended IOCG and Broken Hill Type mineralisation for copper and gold was not confirmed, the detection of robust REE, TiO2, and scandium signatures in multiple targets is a positive step towards unlocking further value. The technical details provided include several intervals of anomalous TREO values measured in parts per million alongside significant percentages of titanium dioxide in some drill holes, reinforcing that the drilling intersected zones of potential economic interest. The identification of these minerals is particularly pertinent given the rising global demand for rare earths and critical minerals amid heightened geopolitical tensions and supply chain considerations. These results enhance West Cobar Metals Limited’s portfolio as it continues to advance its exploration programs across various projects, including the adjacent Salazar Critical Minerals Project which is already a key asset in its strategy. From a bullish perspective, the drilling results underline the company’s potential to significantly augment its resource base in critical minerals, positioning it favorably in a sector bolstered by global demand and supportive infrastructure in Western Australia. The strong REE, TiO2, and scandium values, combined with further exploration and metallurgical test work, offer a promising avenue for future resource expansion. Conversely, the absence of the anticipated copper and gold mineralisation, alongside early-stage exploration risks, might be seen as a drawback by some investors. Additionally, the project’s reliance on further drilling and detailed resource definition means that the full economic viability of the discoveries remains to be proven. Overall, the news provides a mix of optimism regarding expanded resource potential and caution given the exploratory nature of the findings.