Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) has hit a 5-metre-wide intersection of blue-green mineralisation interpreted as tourmaline and beryl, or aquamarine, at the Dundas Project in Western Australia.
The company also intersected lithium-prospective pegmatites in 24 of 105 aircore holes completed on the project, which are expected to return multi-element assays in the next few weeks, including beryllium, lithium, tantalum, caesium and rare earth elements (REEs).
The beryl was found in drill hole 22DAC016 in the southern portion of tenement E63/2046. As a critical mineral on Australia’s 2022 critical mineral list, beryl, or beryllium oxide as the priority mineral is called, is a rare, highly sought-after mineral.
Once assays from drilling at Dundas have been received, Catalina will use the results to target follow-up exploration in the area.
Beryllium oxide uses
Beryllium is a low-density metal, hard and brittle at room temperature with a high melting point of 1,287 degrees Celsius.
It’s used primarily in telecommunications equipment, automotive electronics, and aerospace, defence and industrial applications.
The critical minerals list is produced by the Australian Government, aimed at a strategy to put Australia at the centre of meeting the growing global demand of critical minerals.
There is currently no recorded production data of beryllium in Australia, and worldwide production sits at just 240 tonnes. Notable gemstones high in beryllium include beryl, aquamarine and emerald.