Diatreme Resources has boosted the resource estimate for its Galalar silica sand project by 26 per cent to 38 million tonnes after recent drilling and testing.

It follows December’s lodgement of a Mining Lease Application (MLA) and application to undertake a voluntary EIS as the company seeks to accelerate development of a new silica sand mine.

“This is a significant boost for our plans to develop a new silica mine at Galalar in partnership with the traditional owners, Hopevale Congress,” Diatreme chief executive officer Neil McIntyre said of the resource upgrade.

“The size of the project continues to expand and its ability to produce a premium silica product for fast-growing markets will make it extremely attractive for project partners and investors.”

Located about 200km north of Cairns, the Galalar silica sand project lies near the world’s largest operating silica sand mine at Cape Flattery.

It has a total inferred and indicated mineral resource estimate of 38 million tonnes (at a cut‐off of greater than 99 per cent SiO2).

The company says there is scope to further increase the resource confidence to a JORC compliant measured resource in the future, with consultants Ausrocks recommending the resource be block modelled.