Ventnor Resources Limited (ASX:VRX) has revealed a maiden mineral resource for its Arrowsmith North prospect, a key component of the company’s Arrowsmith silica sand project north of Perth. The prospect has an inferred mineral resource of 193.6 million tonnes at 98 per cent silicon dioxide, being 38 per cent larger than Ventnor’s previous exploration target. The project area has only been tested with shallow auger. Further drilling planned for late 2018 will use deeper aircore drill holes and is expected to add substantially to the maiden resource.
Highlights:
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Inferred Mineral Resource of 193.6 million tonnes @ 98% SiO2
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38% larger than previous Exploration Target*
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Result is from shallow hand auger drilling
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Aircore drilling expected to significantly increase the Mineral Resource
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Metallurgical testwork to-date confirms glass making quality achievable
Ventnor Resources Limited (Ventnor or Company) (ASX: VRX) is pleased to announce the results from the independent estimate of the Mineral Resource at its Arrowsmith North prospect, which is contained within its Arrowsmith Silica Sand Project, located 270km north of Perth.
The result is based on an exploration program of 62 hand held auger drill holes to a depth of 4-5 metres for a total of 235.6 metres which was conducted December 2017 and is an acceptable standard for use in a Mineral Resource estimate publicly reported in accordance with the JORC Code.
The project area is a substantial prominent dune system that has only been tested with shallow auger. Additional drilling planned for late 2018 will use deeper aircore drill holes and is expected to add substantially to the maiden Mineral Resource.
The initial exploration program also provided a bulk sample which was used for the second iteration of metallurgical testwork and has verified that the sand can be beneficiated to glass making quality (VRX announcement 20 September 2018). An additional third iteration of testwork, which is underway, is expected to improve on the currently known quality.
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 testwork 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” Maluish said.
The Company has had a number of enquiries from potential customers in Asia.
