Eyre Peninsula maiden drilling returns thick halloysite-kaolin hits for Power Minerals
Results from minus 45-mcron drill samples show a 14m intercept grading 17.8% halloysite from 24m.
Assays from maiden drilling at the Eyre Peninsula kaolin project in South Australia have confirmed thick intersections of halloysite-rich kaolin mineralisation for owner Power Minerals (ASX: PNN).
The company completed 128 holes for a total 4217 metres as part of first-stage reconnaissance exploration across the project area.
Analysis of -45 micron samples from the Kapinnie kaolin deposit are reported to contain 14m at 17.8% halloysite from 24m; and 26m at 77.1%, kaolin including 16m at 86.1% kaolin from 8m.
Mineralogy analysis from x-ray diffraction (XRD) was also completed on two drill holes, with both confirming thick intersections of kaolin.
Specialty clay strategy
The positive halloysite results combined with recent kaolin and rare earth elements results at the Eyre Peninsula project are believed to have reinforced Power’s specialty clay strategy to develop high-margin, value-added products for supply to advanced technology applications.
Different laboratories are being used to encourage a quicker turnaround of results and to determine a more cost-effective method for handling the large quantity of samples.
Confirmation of brightness and XRF (xray fluorescence) elemental composition is expected to follow.
End-product quality
Power executive director Mena Habib said the new results would help establish end-product quality.
“These incredibly positive initial results for halloysite-rich kaolin mineralisation go a long way towards confirming the high quality of our expected products,” he said.
“They provide us with direction for ongoing evaluation studies, while strongly supporting our specialty clay strategy to develop and produce high-margin, value-added products to supply advanced technology applications.”
Halloysite applications
Halloysite is a polymorph of kaolinite (both are kaolin minerals of the same chemical composition) which has applications in high-value traditional markets such as high-quality porcelain ceramics.
It also has likely potential applications in the advanced nano-technology and ion exchange markets.
These uses of halloysite relate to its unusual physical properties including a very high surface area, tube-like morphology and bonding reactivity.
The properties align with Power’s specialty clay strategy to define high value mineral products to supply advanced technology industries.