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Archer Materials increases commercial potential of Franklyn project with halloysite confirmed

Last updated: 13:35 03 Mar 2020 AEDT, First published: 11:59 03 Mar 2020 AEDT

Archer Materials Ltd - Archer Material increases commercial potential of Franklyn Halloysite-Kaolin Project after recent drilling
Aircore drilling rig at the Eyre Peninsula (EP) Halloysite-Kaolin Project

Archer Materials Limited (ASX:AXE) confirmed the presence of halloysite during recent drilling at Franklyn-Halloysite-Kaolin Project in South Australia thereby increasing the project's commercial potential.

In a maiden drill program completed in December 2019, 21 holes were drilled about 500 metres apart to test the scale of halloysite and kaolin mineralisation recorded in historic drilling.

Tested for halloysite

Drill hole samples were tested for chemical composition and for the presence of halloysite.

Results revealed that kaolinitic clays were intersected in 18 of the holes with holes FRAC19-14–FRAC19 reporting screened grades above 36% aluminium and recoveries above 50%.

Samples from these holes were then submitted for further testing to confirm the presence of halloysite using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses.

Potential for commercial development

Executive chairman Greg English said: “The confirmed presence of high-value mineral halloysite at the Franklyn project is very encouraging and considerably increases the potential for commercial development of this very large project.”

At the Eyre Peninsula (EP) Halloysite-Kaolin Project recent drilling confirmed the presence of kaolin over a large area at Kelly Tank, Bunora and Bunora East prospects.

English said: "The kaolin is more pervasive than expected and in places confirms the previous test work done by Pechiney.

“We have two very exciting large halloysite-kaolin projects that are close to existing infrastructure and have the potential to add considerable value for Archer shareholders.”

Program completed at EP project

The company recently completed a 21-hole aircore drilling program at EP for 506 metres with 11 holes at Bunora, three holes at Bunora East and seven holes at Kelly Tank.

All holes intersected kaolin mineralisation with some kaolin outcropping at surface and the remaining kaolin covered by less than 3 metres of soils.

Location of the EP and Franklyn projects in South Australia

The EP project drill hole samples have been prepared and ranked according to prospectivity.

Next steps

Composite samples have been prepared and submitted for characterisation of halloysite content with pilot plant beneficiation trials being planned as a next step with a major global specialty clay producer.

Metallurgical test work is ongoing for the remaining Franklyn project samples, with results expected in the next 2-3 weeks.

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