Trigg Mining starts new field season after strong quarter of progress at Lake Throssell SOP project
Drilling is scheduled to begin at Lake Throssell later in the current quarter.
Perth-based explorer Trigg Mining (ASX: TMG) has started a new field season at its Lake Throssell sulphate-of-potash (SOP) project in Western Australia on the back of heritage survey clearances and a successful brine sample evaporation trial.
In its June quarterly report released today, the company said this season’s activities would include establishing new access tracks in preparation for aircore and water-bore drilling with the results used to underpin an estimation of the project’s initial ore reserves.
Managing director Keren Paterson said substantial progress continues to be achieved at project level.
“The brine sample program completed during the quarter paves the way for a bulk evaporation trial and production of the first SOP sample from Lake Throssell to determine processing plant design and for discussions with potential offtake partners,” she said.
“The outlook for the SOP sector has never been stronger given current geopolitical disruptions to global fertiliser supply chains … the opportunity for us to develop a new long-life, environment-friendly production hub in WA and play a pivotal role in helping meet the challenges of global food security has never looked more compelling.”
Heritage clearance
During the quarter, a heritage clearance survey was conducted with the Ngaanyatjarra community to clear the planned fieldwork and cover proposed geotechnical studies as part of the Lake Throssell pre-feasibility study.
Field crews were mobilised to site and started to establish access tracks in preparation for aircore drilling, which will refine the locations for test production bores and provide additional geological and brine chemistry data.
Water-bore drilling will provide Lake Throssell’s first test production bores, with the data collected from pumping trials to underpin an initial ore reserves estimate.
Brine sample
Earlier this month, Trigg announced the completion of a sighter evaporation trial on a representative sample of brine to assist with the design of a bulk evaporation trial.
The results provided baseline data for an initial model for use in the early stages of pre-feasibility study engineering to generate a preliminary mass balance, estimate required pond areas, and determine required pond numbers and layouts.
The bulk trial will aim to produce several mixed potassium salt (KTMS) samples for processing testwork to produce an export-quality SOP product for presentation to potential offtake partners.
Process water
During the quarter, Trigg submitted two new exploration tenement applications for targeting prospective sources of groundwater supply.
Desktop assessments have indicated the sources will be needed in the project’s refining process following evaporation and crystallisation of the potassium-rich feed salts.
Lake Yeo co-funding
Trigg has received an allocation of up to $180,000 under the WA government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme to co-fund an aircore drilling program at the Lake Yeo SOP project, 35 kilometres to the south of Lake Throssell.
Funding will received upon completion of the program in May 2023.
Trigg is hopeful that Lake Yeo could be a repeat of Lake Throssell, which has been estimated to contain a total drainable mineral resource of 14.4 million tonnes at 4,665 milligrams per litre of potassium (or 10.4 kilograms per cubic metre of potassium sulphate) with an additional exploration target.
Planning is also underway for a heritage survey with the traditional owners of the Lake Yeo area to prepare for field activities.
Financials
At the end of the June quarter, Trigg held $4.8 million in cash and cash equivalents following payments for exploration and evaluation expenditure of $700,000.
During the period, the company outlaid $100,000 in salaries, fees and superannuation to its directors.