Sunrise Resources Plc (LON:SRES) has reported positive progress on its Pozz Ash natural pozzolan project in Nevada.
Two bench tests have been carried out by a concrete producer using raw Pozz Ash as a replacement for ordinary Portland Cement at 20% and 25% substitution levels. After 28 days setting time the Pozz Ash concrete had between 72-75% relative strength and 9% extra water demand, Sunrise revealed.
The extra water demand was considered to be due to the 20% clay content of the Pozz Ash, and based on these results it is predicted that the Pozz Ash has good commercial potential if the clay content can be removed or, alternatively, if the raw material can be improved by a heating process called calcination.
A follow-up programme of test work is now in progress at SGS Lakefield in Canada to determine if the clay minerals can be separated from the glass particles within the volcanic ash or if calcination may be required.
In the event of the test work yielding encouraging results then a programme of trenching will be undertaken to better evaluate the resource potential of the deposit.
Elsewhere in Nevada, things are afoot at Sunrise’s County Line diatomite project that it has leased to diatomite producer EP Minerals.
The company has been informed that evaluation work is now in progress. EP Minerals has until 2 June 2017 to decide whether to pay US$450,000 to Sunrise to extend the lease; should that happen, Sunrise would be entitled to receive a revenue-based royalty.
Earlier this year EP Minerals was granted a permit for a programme of drilling and trenching, and this work is in progress. Sunrise helpfully pointed out to shareholders that US$16,895 in advance claim fees for the year commencing 1 September 2016 have been paid by EP Minerals to the US Bureau of Land Management.
"We are pleased to be reporting positive progress at our Pozz Ash Project, and to see an active work programme being undertaken by EP Minerals at the County Line Diatomite Project where we look forward to the prospect of advance royalty income from the middle of next year, should their results justify continuation of the lease agreement," said Patrick Cheetham, executive chairman of Sunrise.