Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE) has confirmed the presence of long halloysite tubes with high aspect ratio at the Franklyn Halloysite-Kaolin Project north of Adelaide following additional test work.
This test work was undertaken in Adelaide and Sydney with X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses confirming the presence of halloysite and supporting the presence of halloysite reported by the SA Government in drilling undertaken in the mid-1980s.
Potential of halloysite in untested holes
Executive chairman Greg English said: “We used the impressive expertise available to Archer to efficiently and effectively test a number of samples for halloysite from our drilling at the Franklyn project.
“Accurately identifying high-quality halloysite from a small set of purposefully chosen samples from the 39 holes drilled is a credit to the skill of our team.
“It also opens the possibility that halloysite may be present more extensively in the remaining untested holes and the company may elect to test these remaining samples in the future.”
Archer has now identified five samples out of a total 39 samples for testing by a well-respected UK based kaolin industry laboratory.
Of the five samples submitted, four samples contained some halloysite with the sample from hole FRAC 19- 04 containing halloysite with unique properties.
The halloysite from hole FRAC 19-04 presents as long tubes with large lumen (the inside of the tube just like the inside of a straw), both highly desirable characteristics by potential customers.
Pilot plant processing set for mid-April completion
Archer believes the results are encouraging and has sent samples from hole FRAC 19- 004 to a kaolin industry processing plant in the USA for processing through a pilot plant.
The company expects the pilot plant processing to be completed by mid-April with the resultant samples to be distributed to potential down-stream customers for testing thereafter.
Potential customers are already aware of the Franklyn Project and the work being done by Archer and are anticipating receipt of the samples.
Next steps
Halloysite-kaolin samples from FRAC 19-04 will be sent to a pilot plant for beneficiation with a major global specialty clay producer.
This work is expected to be completed by mid-April (subject to possible delays attributed to COVID 19).
The resultant samples will be sent to potential down-stream customers for product testing.
Archer’s consideration of further drilling at the Franklyn Project to prove up a resource would require acceptance by potential customers for further commercial testing.