Maiden exploration target established at Pippingarra

Industrial Minerals (ASX: IND) has established a maiden exploration target for high purity quartz (HPQ) at its Pippingarra Quarry project in WA.

The exploration target is based on results from a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program completed in December 2023 which encountered white crystalline quartz over widths from 12m to 20m.

In addition, there is also coarse-grained quartz crystals which form a significant part of the Pippingarra pegmatite and have been observed to comprise more than 30% quartz.

Industrial Minerals managing director Jeff Sweet commented on the target.

“The Pippingarra exploration target is limited to an area where IND completed RC drilling in late 2023, to the east of the existing open pit,” he said.

“There are several quartz outcrops mapped across the broader mining lease area that will also be drilled with the intention to include these untested HPQ target opportunities in the upcoming mineral resource estimate for Pippingarra.”

Industrial Minerals is planning a phase two RC drilling program to test the continuity of the quartz zones to the east of the exploration target area as well as test a further 19 targets identified from mapped quartz outcrops. Around 30 holes will be drilled for 2500m.

Diamond drilling may be undertaken to obtain core for further metallurgical and process flowsheet testing.

Depending on the results from both drill programs, composition of the quartz zones and the host lithology, the mineral resource could potentially be categorised as inferred or indicated.

“Our motivation to commence work towards a mineral resource estimate is to leverage our unique position of having an active mining operation at the Pippingarra Quarry,” Mr Sweet said.

“We believe this will give potential offtake partners the confidence to enter into offtake agreements with IND, knowing that we can rapidly advance to be mine ready and have a suitable mine life to support long term supply needs.”