The Northern Territory Government has awarded Tivan (ASX:TVN) exploration grant funding via the Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations (GDC) program to advance the Sandover Fluorite Project.
The GDC program offers competitive grants to exploration companies as a part of the government’s wider Resourcing the Territory (RTT) initiative.
Preparing the two applications in March, Tivan will receive $100,000 towards a maiden reverse circulation drilling program, which is scheduled to begin in September.
A second grant offers the company $50,000 to fund early state metallurgical testwork.
Tivan completed a surface sampling campaign at the project in December 2024, with assay results to be released sometime this month. The geology team will deploy to Sandover following the completion of drilling at its Speewah Fluorite Project.
In conjunction with this announcement, the company is working to finalise applications for upcoming drilling, including the application for an Environmental Mining Licence to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security.
Chairman Grant Wilson is actively working with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders, as well as the Central Land Council, to clear approvals regarding cultural heritage and sacred sites.
Located within the Arunta region and 8km from its Sandover Aluminium Project, Tivan first acquired the Sandover Fluorite Project in November of last year, which comprises 30% of exploration licence EL22349.
In June last year, Mining.com.au reported the government offered $4 million towards exploration and development grants under the RTT initiative, where a total of 29 companies received funding across 41 projects.
Tivan is a critical minerals explorer, focused on the development of projects spanning the Northern Territory.
Fluorite, which is (also known as fluorspar, is a gangue mineral belonging to the halide minerals. It’s composed of calcium fluoride (CaF2) and is used industrially in the manufacturing of certain enamels, glass, as well as some optical lenses, and as smelting flux.
The mineral is known for its ability to fluoresce and fluorite stones typically have colour zones but some change colours entirely. Fluorite is known for its ability to boost energy and promote emotional well-being.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Tivan
