Perpetual Resources Ltd (ASX:PEC) has received assays from 86 drill holes at the southern end of Beharra exploration licence in Western Australia, with every hole returning >98% silica with thick sand horizons from just 0.5 metres below surface.
The intersections are consistent with earlier phases of drilling, which strongly support the progression of planned studies related to a white sand only development scenario.
An updated ore reserve covering the reported drill area is being developed, with results expected in the December 2021 quarter.
Path towards development
Managing director Robert Benussi said: “The completion of our phase-3 aircore drilling program at Beharra returned results entirely consistent with our high expectations, with thick intersections of white sand and high-grade results returned right across the drilled area - which was chosen to approximate the first 10 years of production at Beharra.
“These drill results will form the basis for an updated white sand only mining option."
He said: “Metallurgical testing has already commenced and the results of this test-work will provide input into an updated pre-feasibility study.
“This will ultimately lead to a new ore reserve statement in the December quarter and will clarify the development path for this exciting and regionally leading high-grade silica sand project.”
Drilling results
Phase-3 aircore drill hole location plan
Carried out by Bunbury-based drilling contractor Hornet Drilling, the purpose of the program was to undertake infill closer spaced sampling and define an ore reserve classification for the first 10 years of white-only sand production.
Assays confirmed high-grade intersections from 0.5 metres below surface and comprised 91% white sand for an average thickness of 12.9 metres, including:
- 10.5 metres at 98.2% silicon dioxide from 0.5 metres, including 3.5 metres at 99.2% from 0.5 metres;
- 13.5 metres at 98.2% from 0.5 metres;
- 13.5 metres at 98.2% from 0.5 metres, including 10.5 metres at 99.1% from 0.5 metres;
- 9.5 metres at 98.8% from 0.5 metres, including 3.5 metres at 99.2% from 0.5 metres; and
- 8.5 metres at 98.8% from 0.5 metres, including 4 metres at 99.1% from 2 metres.
Drill holes were completed for a total length of 1,153 metres and an average depth of 13.4 metres.