- Diatreme Resources’ (DRX) recent exploration at the Galalar Silica Project has highlighted the potential for another resource expansion
- In May, this year Galalar’s total mineral resource expanded by 25 per cent to 47.5 million tonnes
- Diatreme is developing the project to produce premium-quality silica suitable for solar photovoltaics manufacturing and other high-tech applications
- Recently, the company drilled 44 aircore holes which resulted in high-grade silica averaging more than 99 per cent
- Diatreme also collected a 2400-kilogram bulk sample from the drilling program to determine sand quality and support a definitive feasibility study
- Company shares are trading flat at 1.2 cents
Diatreme Resources’ (DRX) recent drilling and exploration program has highlighted the potential for further resource expansion at the Galalar Silica Project.
The Galalar Silica Project is located 200 kilometres north of Cairns, in northern Queensland.
In May, this year the total mineral resource expanded by 25 per cent to 47.5 million tonnes. This includes a maiden measured mineral resource of 30.9 million tonnes at 99.28 per cent silicon dioxide.
Diatreme’s aim for the project is for it to produce premium-quality silica that is suitable for solar photovoltaics manufacturing and other high-technology applications.
The company drilled 44 aircore holes, for 835 metres, which resulted in consistent high-grade silica averaging more than 99 per cent.
“These latest drilling results yet again demonstrate the potential for Galalar to become a long‐term source of valuable high purity silica sand, a designated ‘new economy mineral,’ for fast‐growing export markets and a key component in the decarbonisation of energy sources through creating more solar generation capacity,” CEO Neil McIntyre said.
Diatreme also completed exploration drilling to the north and east of the current resource. The eastern line of holes did intersect high-purity silica sand in smaller dunes.
However, new holes at the southern end of the resource intersected deeper than anticipated sections of sand and may increase the resource in the area. The southern area also contains elevated aluminium oxide and iron oxide.
Diatreme collected around 2400 kilograms of bulk samples from the drilling program. Then, a small ‘spear’ sample was collected from each sample and will be analysed to determine sand quality.
The company is planning on conducting further testing of the bulk sample. This is set to support the final definitive feasibility study mine program.
Company shares are trading flat at 1.2 cents at 1:08 pm AEST.