Australian silica sands explorer and developer Industrial Minerals (ASX:IND) is assessing the potential of the high-purity quartz targets following a reconnaissance trip to its Karratha Project in Western Australia.
Surface samples taken on the recent reconnaissance trip will test the quality of the quartz outcrops, and the suitability of the quartz for specialised applications.
Once assays are received for the samples, Industrial reports it will begin planning a reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling program to determine the potential size of the resource, and the quality of the quartz under cover.
Commenting on the reconnaissance trip, Industrial Minerals Managing Director Jeff Sweet says: “It was great to get back on site post wet season to progress exploration activities at our Karratha Project.
“It was great to get back on site post wet season to progress exploration activities at our Karratha Project”
Following desktop geological assessment of this tenure, quartz veins were identified as potential sources for high-purity quartz (HPQ), and we eagerly await the results of surface sampling to guide our planning for a drill program.
HPQ is a key feedstock for photovoltaic solar panels, semiconductors, specialty glass, and other high-tech applications. Extending our exploration activities to include HPQ complements our advanced high-purity silica sand projects and has the potential to broaden IND’s (Industrial Minerals) exposure to these fast-growing end markets.”
Industrial reports high-purity quartz is a special feedstock used in industries with high-technology applications such as the solar industry, and semiconductors, while lower quality material is used in glass manufacturing.
The source materials for high-purity quartz may come in either quartz sand or quartzite rock that is beneficiated to remove impurities and further proceed to reach ‘strict’ quality specifications.
The starting quality of feedstock for solar panels and semiconductors is generally considered to be 99.95 silicon dioxide (Si2O) with less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of total impurities. The ultra-premium market requires ‘higher-quality’ feedstock with a purity of 99.999% (HP9).
Industrial Minerals is a diversified industrial mineral project developer with a primary focus on high-purity silica sands, and high-purity quartz. The company wholly owns 20 high-purity silica sand projects, and 6 complementary industrial minerals projects across Western Australia.
Some of these projects include the Lake MacLeod Gypsum and Salt, Karratha Construction Sand and Aggregate, Turner River Construction Sand and Aggregate, Roebourne Aggregate, Tabba Tabba, and Derby projects.
Images: Industrial Minerals Ltd
