Kaolin trials start this week

The various moving parts are starting to fall in line for Brisbane-based Kaolin processor Zeotech (ASX: ZEO). Joint venture and offtake partner Holcim is starting concrete trials this week. Holcim was the world’s largest building company Mr Marsh said and Zeotech is in agreement to provide less than a third off-take. Zeotech CEO James Marsh and COO Scott Burkhart at Noosa Mining Conference. Zeotech is also is starting a new drilling campaign on its 700ha Toondoon project about 200km from Bundaberg at the end of the month. It’ll complement the inferred, indicated and measured total resource of 14 million tonnes. Zeotech is converting 50 tonnes to metakaolin in a trial currently underway. Related: 'Zeolites are magic materials' Metakaolin acts as a binder in geopolymer concrete and is a low carbon substitute for fly ash which comes from coal fired power stations and slag from blast furnaces used making steel. These were diminishing sources in Australia, Zeotech chief executive officer James Marsh said. Related: Test pit tonnes to advance Zeotech’s metakaolin goals The kaolin Zeotech was drilling was 97 percent pure and had high alumina levels which is crucial for reactivity in concrete. In low-grade ores the kaolin otherwise needed to be further reduced resulting in poorer recoveries, Mr Marsh said. Production which was envisaged to be around 200,000 tonnes/year at this stage, would barely satisfy the Australian market, he said. Other customers included retailers and other on-sellers. The company was fielding interest from overseas, Mr Marsh said. “There is also a very healthy export business opportunity if we want to pursue that pathway, the prices will be a lot higher but we're already getting some serious inquiries from as far as field as USA and Europe because having a very high reactivity material like we have is quite rare. “There're companies in the USA wanting tens of thousands of tons already. We look at those opportunities and having the operation at Bundaberg means we've got the opportunity to get big ships in and send it away again in bulk. “We can also look at the smaller end of the market, the small lot business where it's bagged. … Well those people would love this material because they can all also lower their carbon footprint. “We're talking to a major global distributor who would possibly take it in bulk and re-bag it in small lots and sell it to those thousands of small customers.” Zeotech Limited share price has more than doubled in the last six months last closing (Friday 14Nov24) at AUD0.064.

Kaolin trials start this week

Industry Queensland

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