Andromeda Metals posts ‘significant increase’ to Poochera kaolin resource
Andromeda Metals’ updated Carey’s Well resource estimates the insitu bright white kaolinised granite will yield 10.6Mt of -45 micron quality kaolin product.
Andromeda Metals (ASX: ADN) has recorded a “significant increase” to its Poochera kaolin mineral resource, including an 80% rise in the resource’s measured category.
The bright white kaolinised granite resource for the project’s primary Carey’s Well has now been upgraded by 28% to 26 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, the insitu bright white kaolinised granite is expected to yield 10.6Mt of -45 micron quality kaolin product.
Mineralisation at Carey’s Well remains open to the north and north-east.
According to Andromeda, the updated resource will be incorporated into the pre-feasibility study which is due to wind up in the June quarter of next year.
Halloysite potential at Poochera
In addition to the kaolin potential at Poochera, Andromeda is also firming up the project’s halloysite prospectivity.
The direct shipping ore resource for halloysite zone is estimated at 10.6Mt at 40.5% kaolinite, 8.6% halloysite, and 49.1% kaolin.
Meanwhile, the high-grade halloysite material from the recovered -45 micron fraction within the halloysite zone comprises 5.6Mt at 16.4% halloysite, 77% kaolinite, 36.9% aluminium oxide, 0.56% iron, 47.7% silicon and 0.45% titanium dioxide.
Earlier this month, Andromeda revealed laboratory testing on Poochera samples had halloysite concentrations up to 91%.
A selection of nine holes drilled at Carey’s Well, Tomney and Condooringie targets generated an average 59% halloysite in the -2 micron fraction.
Andromeda noted the highest halloysite levels were found at the Condooringie prospect about 4km north of Carey’s Well.
This is where the 91% halloysite was identified.
“The confirmation of high-purity halloysite in a highly prospective area for kaolin is an extremely exciting development, and significantly adds to the already prospective halloysite-kaolin project,” Andromeda managing James Marsh said.
Australia’s CSIRO undertook the analysis in collaboration with Andromeda and the company said it has led to “significant in-house knowledge” and “valuable experience”.
Halloysite has potential for use in the growing halloysite nanotube sector where it can be incorporated in polymers, medicine, agriculture, construction, carbon capture, hydrogen storage, water purification and batteries.