Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has further confirmed the high levels of halloysite present at Trawalla deposit of the Pittong Kaolin operation, returning grades of up to 32.4% in the most recent round of test-work.
Previous results included concentrations up to 38.9% and 45.4%, indicating halloysite is likely present in significant percentages across the entire deposit. Trawalla’s halloysite-kaolin hybrid offers Suvo the opportunity to be the first halloysite-kaolin producer in Australia.
This would position the company to be the first to produce high-quality end user products addressing the existing ceramic, pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets and importantly for Suvo, would allow entry into the rapidly expanding nano technology sector and battery markets through high-purity alumina (HPA).
“Another outstanding result”
“This is another outstanding result from the drill samples from our Trawalla deposit,” Suvo Strategic Minerals executive chair Robert Martin said.
“We are currently working with our international partners and experts to identify new market segments for Trawalla including opportunities in a number of high-value industries including concrete, ceramics and battery and nanotechnology.
“Being the only operating hydrous kaolin mine in Australia will put us front and centre of these ever-expanding markets.”
Trawalla is wholly owned by Suvo, acquired along with the Pittong operation which was formally operated by a subsidiary of Imerys. It’s just 23 kilometres from the Pittong facility, which boasts the only hydrous kaolin plant in operation in Australia.
A JORC-compliant maiden mineral resource estimate for the Pittong project increased the kaolin deposit 20% to 3.5 million tonnes compared to previous historical estimates, further supporting a long life of production for the project.
Trawalla test-work
About 14 aircore holes were drilled at Trawalla, producing samples of raw clay for testing work. These samples were then refined with the standard Pittong method, involving slurry preparation, sodium hydroxide and dispersant which is blunged to separate clay from other minerals.
The sample is then screened at 250 microns and allowed to settle. From there, the upper fine fraction is decanted, adjusted to pH4, then filtered and dried.
Various tests are made on each sample to indicate quality, including chemistry by x-ray fluorescence (XRF), brightness, bleached brightness and particle sizing by Sedigraph.
Next steps
Suvo is focused on testing the Trawalla halloysite clays’ geological and mineralogical aspects. With the aid of a leading industrial mineral laboratory in the UK, SUV intends to determine the morphology, rheology, calcination and other properties of the Trawalla halloysite mineral.
This research aims to not only examine traditional ceramic manufacturing aspects of halloysite-kaolin, but to also develop a broad range of applications of halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanomaterials based on the individual properties of Trawalla halloysite.
The halloysite samples will undergo further testing and processing to be prepared into 'tailormade' premium-grade kaolin products based on the clay’s properties and identify the most suitable process and products together with end-users’ input and technical support.
Suvo plans to use its market position as the only hydrous kaolin producer in Australia to not only complete test-work with global leaders in the industry, but to also define and commercialise additional market segments that can be addressed from Trawalla.
About Suvo Strategic Minerals
Suvo Strategic Minerals is a dual commodity Australian mining company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange focused on the development of its 100%-owned White Knight Kaolin Project in the Yilgarn Craton in the central wheat belt, and the 100%-owned Nova Silica Project in the Gin Gin Scarp near the township of Eneabba, both within Western Australia.