Trigg Minerals advances aircore drilling at Lake Throssell sulphate of potash project
Drilling and sampling data will be used by Trigg to further refine Lake Throssell’s indicated and inferred mineral resource.
Trigg Minerals (ASX: TMG) is advancing a program of aircore drilling as part of a pre-feasibility study (PFS) at its wholly-owned Lake Throssell sulphate of potash (SOP) project in Western Australia.
The program aims to assist with the identification of test production bore targets in accessible locations for a truck-mounted water well rig.
Drilling is targeting the basal aquifer at approximately 150 metres below surface.
Causeways have been constructed to allow access to shorelines on islands in the centre of the lake to allow the rig to access planned drilling locations.
The causeways will facilitate access to remote areas of the lake which would otherwise be reached by more costly wide track-mounted lake vehicles.
Resource estimate
Drilling and sampling data will be used to further refine Lake Throssell’s indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate which currently stands at 14.4 million tonnes SOP at 4,665 milligrams per litre potassium (or 10.4kg per cubic metre potassium sulphate).
Test production bores will be drilled in the next quarter and are expected to provide additional data to update the project’s groundwater model and increase confidence in the resource estimate with the aim of achieving an ore reserve.
Bulk evaporation trial
Trigg said a pivotal bulk evaporation trial at Lake Throssell is also progressing ahead of schedule.
The halite (sodium chloride) salting phase has been completed and the schoenite salt production stage has commenced.
These will be followed by the kainite and carnallite salt phases.
The bulk trial aims to produce several mixed potassium salt (KTMS) samples to be used in processing test work for engineering design as part of the PFS.
The samples will also help produce an export-quality SOP product for analysis by potential offtake partners.
Globally-significant asset
Lake Throssell is considered a globally-significant asset with an initial 21-year mine life producing 245,000 tonnes per annum SOP.
Major transport infrastructure is located adjacent to the project with state and federal governments carrying out a major project to seal the Great Central Road and establish the Outback Highway, connecting Western Australia to the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Work is currently underway on the first 40km stretch of road.