Allup Silica Ltd (ASX:APS)'s independent metallurgical test-work has demonstrated the potential to produce high-quality silica sand from the Sparkler Silica Exploration Project in Western Australia.
Conventional test-work produced silica grades of 99.5% to 99.8% and iron oxide levels of between 70 parts per million (ppm) and 390 ppm.
Notably, wet screening has indicated a fraction yield between 88.7% and 90.5%, silica grades of 99.3% to 99.7% and iron oxide levels of between 150 ppm and 1,600 ppm.
Looking ahead, additional drilling, bulk-sampling and tests are required to further identify the potential value of the silica within the Sparkler Project, understand ore variability and the process design requirements.
Key findings
Allup submitted bulk samples from four separate drill holes within the Sparkler A Project for preliminary metallurgical test-work to assess the potential to generate a high-quality silica sand product from the quartz sands intersected.
Key findings are:
- Wet screening data indicates that the 'sands' (+106µm) fraction yield is between 88.7% and 90.5% and silica grades of between 99.3% to 99.7% and iron oxide levels of between 0 .015% (150 ppm) and 0.16% (1600 ppm).
- HLS (+106µm float product) data indicates silica grades of between 99.7% to 99.8% and iron oxide levels of between 0.007% (70 ppm) and 0.028% (280 ppm).
- Attritioning data (+106µm product) indicates silica grades of between 99.7% to 99.8% and iron oxide levels of between 0.009% (90ppm) and 0.039% (390 ppm).
- Magnetic separation data (+106µm product) indicates silica grades of between 99.5% to 99.8% and iron oxide levels of between 0.008% (80ppm) and 0.029% (290 ppm).
The results from the samples tested suggest the potential to produce high-quality silica sand products from the Sparkler A Silica Exploration Project mineral resource.
Next steps will focus on bulk sampling, process flowsheet development, potential product yield estimation, product specification and variability testing
Sparkler Exploration Project
The Sparkler Silica Exploration Project’s sites are about 300 kilometres south of Perth in the southwestern region of Western Australia.
This region has well-established infrastructure being established for the benefit of local industry, agriculture and the community.
The Sparkler Project encompasses three granted exploration licences E70/5447 (Sparkler A), E70/5527 (Sparkler B) and E70/5920 (Sparkler C).
The Sparkler location can be accessed via all-weather sealed highways and major roads, while the tenement areas are readily accessible by some sealed and gravel/sand access roads.
Closest ports are Bunbury Port, about 200 kilometres west, and Albany Port, about 150 kilometres southeast of the project location.