Diatreme Resources believes two new conceptual exploration targets on its Northern Silica Project tenement could yield between 115-275 million tonnes of the resource. Photo: Supplied.
Silica miner Diatreme Resources says it is eyeing a potential expansion of its Northern Silica Project (NSP) after defining two conceptual exploration targets within the Cape Flattery tenement area.
The Casuarina East and Casuarina West dune systems have been delineated through LiDAR-based terrain modelling and remote geomorphological interpretation, identifying substantial volumes of potentially low-iron, high-purity silica sand.
The targets are located immediately adjacent to the current operations of Cape Flattery Silica Mines, owned by Mitsubishi, and represent a strategic opportunity to significantly expand Diatreme’s regional resource footprint.
The company said it believed there could be between 80-190 million tonnes (Mt) of high-grade silica in the Casuarina East deposit, while the Casuarina West deposit could yield between 35-85Mt.
Diatreme chief executive officer Neil McIntyre said the Casuarina deposit could extend the life of the NSP.
“This is a progressive and important step in unlocking the broader potential of our Northern Silica Project tenement package,” he said.
“Casuarina sits directly alongside a globally recognised silica operation, and while we are at an early stage, the scale and geometry appear compelling, with an estimated total target tonnage range from 115 million tonnes to 275 million tonnes.
“With exploration approvals in hand and access planning underway, we look forward to drilling and defining what could be another world class high-grade silica sand resource extension to our already long life mine project in Far North Queensland.”
