Perpetual Resources Limited (ASX: PEC) has unveiled a 25% tonnage increase in its upgraded Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the company’s flagship Beharra high grade silica sand project, north of Perth, Western Australia.
Managing Director, Robert Benussi, said new studies have increased the Beharra Mineral Resource Estimate from 111Mt to 139Mt at 98.6% SiO2.
The new MRE resulted in an additional 28Mt for a total Indicated Mineral Resource of 139Mt at a SiO2 grade at 98.6% which was the same grade as that reported in the Maiden MRE.
Perpetual has previously demonstrated that the silica grade can be increased to >99.5% SiO2 with application of straight forward industry standard processing methods, delivering a lower impurity profile for sale into the fast-growing Asia Pacific (APAC) silica sand markets.
It is pleasing to have reported an increase in Mineral Resource tonnage at Beharra, which has further increased the potential to meet high grade silica sand demand for a considerable period,” Mr Benussi said.
“Notably, this increase did not come at the expense of grade, with consistent SiO2 results showing no material increase in deleterious oxides.
“This Resource upgrade is a further marker of the quality of the Beharra Project, which we expect will be further demonstrated with the imminent release of the Beharra PFS. We continue to believe Beharra is a truly compelling asset and look forward to demonstrating this with our upcoming study”.
The Upgraded MRE was based on previous drilling which underpinned the maiden MRE in July 2020. It also included an additional air core drilling program which was completed in September 2020.
The Beharra deposit was initially explored in February 2019 using auger drilling across the southern extent of tenement E 70/5221. A total of 38 holes to a maximum depth of 2.0m were completed on a ~800 mE x ~400 mN grid, covering 7,215m of strike and an average width of 1,700m.
Positive results from the auger drilling led to an Aircore programme completed in March 2020 over the same southern portion of the tenement. A total of 40 holes for 506.7m was completed on a ~400 mE x ~480 mN grid.
After the maiden Inferred Mineral Resource estimate was announced in July 2020 a further 32 Aircore holes were completed in September 2020 on the northern Exploration Target, with some additional infill and twin holes in the southern portion.
Mr Benussi said the Beharra PFS has progressed into the final stages of documentation with an announcement anticipated in the coming week.
The Beharra Project is located 300km north of Perth and is 96km south of the port town of Geraldton. Access to the Project from Geraldton (to the north) and Perth (to the South) is via the sealed Brand Highway, thence by the Mt Adams unsealed road providing access to the centre of the tenure.