Drilling results confirm faith in expanded silica resource

Silica sands developer Diatreme Resources has made progress in expanding the resource at its Northern Silica Project (NSP) in far north Queensland. Positive results from infill and step out drilling at the Si2 deposit in 2022 confirmed the continuity and quality of silica sand in the dune system. View to the south-east showing the undulating Si2 terrain and approximate thickness of dunes, with typical vegetation coverage. The field of view is approximately 3km wide Exploration has extended the known high purity silica sand dune system to a length of 6.8km and width of up to 2.4km, covering an area of over 1,200 ha. The program also included auger sampling for infill sampling. Results from the first 76 of 82 holes in the current drilling program showed sand of a similar quality to the established Si2 resource, with the remaining results expected in early March. Recent and pending results in the Point Lookout Track (PLT) area will build on previous exploration efforts to enable a north-west extension of the Si2 resource in coming months the company told the ASX. Related: Diatreme advances northern exploration The results have improved confidence in the NSP, raising the prospect of a significant upgrade to the mineral resource including quantum and confidence. Diatreme is currently conducting a detailed scoping study , including economics and logistics of the Si2 dune system (Northern Silica Project) , which is due in late Q1 2023. Engagement with Traditional Owners and other members of the local community has continued to be at the forefront of Diatreme’s exploration campaigns, with the Diatreme working closely with Native Title representatives to ensure maximum community benefits while minimising environmental impacts. The significant additional drilling and apparent extension to the Si2 dune evaluation was a great result, delivered for a second year in a row by the Northern Silica Project development team, said Diatreme’s CEO, Neil McIntyre. “The team has worked closely with Native Title representatives, providing mentoring and training to field teams , to ensure long-term benefits to the local community, as per our commitment to Traditional Owners,” Mr McIntyre said. “The drilling results have improved confidence in the NSP, boosting the potential for a mineral resource upgrade in the new year. Diatreme is now progressing a Scoping Study focused on the results from the Si2 dune system, which is expected to be delivered in late Q1 2023. “These are exciting times for Diatreme as we work to unlock this valuable, high-grade silica resource for the fast- growing solar PV industry, contributing to the world’s decarbonisation drive while delivering genuine, long lasting economic benefits to the FNQ community.” NORTHERN SILICA RESOURCE DRILLING Diatreme resumed exploration at the NSP in August last year with the goal of defining an extension to the Si2 resource. The company used low-impact access methods, including a small footprint track-mounted, air core drilling rig and hand augers, to drill along parallel dune ridge lines spaced 200-400m apart. The depth of the holes was generally determined by the water table, which forms the base for resource models and aligns with proposed mine extraction criteria. The exploration follows the recent establishment of a new, high-grade silica sand resource at Si2 North bringing Diatreme 's total resource to nearly 200 million tonnes of high- grade silica across the Si2 North and Galalar Silica Sand Project (GSSP). Photo: Diatreme exploration area adjacent to Cape Flattery silica sand operation

Drilling results confirm faith in expanded silica resource

Industry Queensland

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