Industrial Minerals (ASX:IND) has outlined a high purity quartz (HPQ) exploration target of 1.5-3 million tonnes at 97-99% for the Pippingarra Quarry Project in Western Australia, ahead of a planned drilling program.
Managing Director Jeff Sweet says the target is limited to an area where the company completed reverse circulation (RC) drilling in late 2023, to the east of the existing open pit.
“There are several quartz outcrops mapped across the broader mining lease area that will also be drilled with the intention to include these untested HPQ target opportunities in the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Pippingarra,” he says
The phase two RC program will test the continuity of the quartz zones to the east of the exploration target area, as well as test an additional 19 targets uncovered from mapped quartz outcrops.
Drilling will comprise 30 holes for 2,500m and depending on results, the resource could potentially be categorised as inferred or indicated.
Sweet says starting work towards an MRE gives potential offtake partners the confidence to enter into an offtake agreement, with the knowledge that the company can advance to be mine ready, as well as have a suitable mine life to support long term supply needs.
“Following on from one of our potential offtake partners in China achieving a processed high purity quartz product grading >99.994% SiO2, we are extremely positive about the potential to supply Pippingarra quartz into high-end quartz markets,” he says.
Once completed, Industrial Minerals will progress raw quartz identification, assessment, and testwork to determine high purity quartz potential based on results received from samples tested by potential buyers and industry experts in Australia, China, and the US.
Industrial Minerals will also expand marketing of quartz ore and processed high purity quartz as product specification sheets are generated from ongoing testwork.
Industrial Minerals is a critical mineral explorer and developer focused on high purity silica sand and quartz.
Shares gained nearly 26% to reach an intraday peak of $0.17 on the back of the announcement.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Industrial Minerals
