Sunrise Resources PLC (AIM:SRES) announced the start of a collaborative arrangement with an existing processor of natural pozzolan for mining and test grinding of a bulk sample from the Hazen natural pozzolan deposit in northern Nevada, US.
The test programme will provide further information on the mining characteristics and grinding behaviour of the Hazen natural pozzolan on a commercial scale, said Sunrise.
It follows on from successful laboratory testing of the Hazen pozzolan by both parties.
Natural pozzolan can partially replace cement in cement and concrete mixes and has strong environmental credentials.
Mining equipment is being mobilised and the bulk sample is scheduled to be mined and delivered to the process plant this week for processing as soon as facilities allow.
About 250 tons of natural pozzolan will be extracted and processed at no cost to Sunrise, said the AIM-traded company.
"Whilst there is currently no obligation on either party to enter into a further agreement at this stage, this is an important collaboration,” said Sunrise executive chairman Patrick Cheetham.
“The other party has the processing facilities and marketing network in those regions targeted by the Hazen project to commercialise the Hazen deposit in the future and the deposit is well located close to rail.”
The deposit is 9km from a rail siding on the arterial east-west Union Pacific line.
Laboratory testwork to date by Sunrise has shown that the material present in the Hazen pit is of similar high quality to the company’s CS pozzolan project. It plans to advance Hazen alongside the CS project.
“Our progress at the Hazen project does not detract from our focus on the more advanced CS Pozzolan-Perlite project in Nevada as the two projects target different regional areas of cement and concrete demand served by a range of different cement and ready-mix companies,” said Cheetham.