Chilwa Minerals (ASX:CHW) has said Mpyupyu is the company’s largest HMS deposit and its first potential development front after further drilling success at Mpyupyu West in Malawi.

The company said it has completed 22% of phase one reconnaissance sonic drilling at the Mpyupyu West heavy mineral sands (HMS) discovery, which was first reported in early June 2026 and later expanded to a target area of more than 17 sq. km.

A total of 60 holes for 551 metres has now been completed in the programme. Drilling has intersected a mineralised, free-dig saprolite unit from surface within a stratigraphic sequence that has remained consistent across the drill holes and sections completed so far.

Mpyupyu West adjoins the Mpyupyu mineral resource of 109.6 million tonnes (Mt), which was more than doubled in mid-June 2026.

Managing director Cadell Buss said two sonic rigs are now operating at Mpyupyu West.

“Sixty holes into phase one and the picture at Mpyupyu West is remarkably consistent,” he told shareholders.

“We are intersecting soft, free-dig saprolite from surface, hole after hole, across a target area of more than 17 square kilometres immediately west of our Mpyupyu Dune and Flat deposits, with the mineralised horizon averaging 7.3m thick and reaching 12m in places – the same system that underpins the 109.6 Mt Mpyupyu mineral resource.

“Consistency of that kind at this early stage of a reconnaissance programme is exactly what we were hoping to see, and it is why both rigs are now on the prospect.

“What has also become clearer is the nature of the deposit itself. Drilling through the full profile indicates an in-situ, deeply weathered saprolite blanket rather than the depositional sands and silty-sands at our other established resources. A residual blanket of this style sits at surface, is soft enough to free-dig, and can be laterally extensive – characteristics well suited to low-cost mining.

“With both rigs at Mpyupyu West and phase one on track for completion in late September, we expect to be well placed to define where a resource-definition campaign should be focused, alongside the scoping study work already underway across our existing deposits.”

Chilwa Minerals also said a further 153 hand-panned surface sample points have been completed at Mpyupyu West since its last hand panning update, taking the total to 227 points. The company said the results are being used to guide drill planning.

CHW is due to open at 75¢.

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