Ventnor Resources Ltd (ASX:VRX) has revealed a maiden inferred resource of 193.6 million tonnes at 98% silica at the Arrowsmith North prospect in Western Australia.
The Arrowsmith North area is a prominent dune system within the company’s Arrowsmith Silica Sand Project that has only been tested with shallow hand auger drilling.
Importantly, the maiden resource is 38% larger than the previous exploration target.
Additional drilling planned at Arrowsmith North will use deeper aircore drill holes and is expected to add substantially to the maiden resource.
Notably, Ventnor’s initial exploration program provided a bulk sample which was used for the second iteration of metallurgical test work and has verified that the sand can be beneficiated to glass making quality.
READ: Ventnor Resources bulk sample testing confirms glass-making quality sand
A further iteration of test work has been commenced by CDE Global using a refined flow sheet to further improve the quality of the potential final products.
The results of this work are expected to be available early in the December 2018 quarter.
Process circuit design and engineering will then follow, allowing for capital cost estimates to be generated before the end of 2018.
READ: Ventnor Resources leads ASX gainers with shares up nearly 30% amid ongoing silica sands strategy
Ventnor managing director Bruce Maluish said: “This estimation confirms our belief that Arrowsmith has the potential to be a very substantial source of silica sand for glassmaking.
“From our test work we have been able to obtain samples of the final products that we can send to prospective customers.
“Coupled with this mineral resource estimate we can accelerate our marketing program for potential sales in Asia.”
Ventnor has an approved program of works to infill the Arrowsmith North inferred resource with the intention of upgrading the resource to an Indicated category.
The drill program is expected to commence early in 2019 due to limited drill rig availability and the requirement for native title heritage clearance.
A resource estimate for the company’s Arrowsmith Central prospect is also being planned.