EMERGING mineral sands player Matilda Minerals has announced the granting of a mineral lease at its Tiwi Islands project in the Northern Territory. The NT Government has granted the company a 25-year lease for the Andranangoo Creek West prospect on the north coast of Melville Island. Matilda Minerals managing director Barry Bolitho said it represented another key milestone for the company in its plans to commence mining in the zircon and rutile rich province.