Metallica Minerals returns strong test results on Cape Flattery silica sand

Metallica Minerals Limited’s (ASX:MLM) (OTCMKTS:MLMZF) (FRA:MM4) metallurgical testing of the 2-tonne bulk sample acquired from the December 2020 drilling program has produced a high-quality silica sand product from its 100%-owned Cape Flattery Silica Sand project.  This demonstrated that a low contaminant product with an attractive narrow particle size distribution can be produced at a high yield.  The test work produced a product with 99.8% silica oxide (SiO2), 170 parts per million (ppm) hematite (Fe2O3) and 450 ppm aluminium oxide.  Further work on white-sand samples Metallica executive chairman Theo Psaros said “These results demonstrate further the world-recognised qualities of Cape Flattery silica sand.  “To achieve such positive results having blended sand that had an SiO2 level of greater than 98.5% also supports further work on white-sand samples that will be sourced from our upcoming drilling program.  “These results will also allow us to engage further with potential offtake partners in Australia and throughout Asia.” The metallurgical testing The metallurgical testing was completed by IHC Robbins at its Brisbane laboratory. The company’s Flattery metallurgical test work sample was derived from drill samples from within the resource envelope which had average silica content of greater than 98.5% SiO2. Using gravity upgrading, magnetic separation and particle classification methods, typical to silica sands refining, a product was able to be produced containing 99.8% SiO2, 450 ppm Al2O3, 170ppm Fe2O3, 210 ppm titanium dioxide (TiO2) and 2.6% -125μm particles. Potential exists for Metallica to market products derived from earlier processing streams with higher yield and lower quality, such as the feed preparation sand or the spiral circuit product. Further metallurgical testing is planned to be undertaken to investigate further enhancement of the processed product. Further product upgrading In addition to the metallurgical testing, bench top testing was conducted to assess the potential to further improve or optimise the product quality once the product has been transported off-site. This bench top testing achieved a significant reduction in Fe2O3 from 170ppm to 70ppm. These results indicate that further processing offsite can produce an exceptionally low-iron silica sand product. Next phase of metallurgical testing The results of this metallurgical test work is planned to be incorporated in the Scoping Study, which is currently underway.  The company plans to undertake further metallurgical test work on additional bulk samples that will be sourced from the exploration program scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2021. Cape Flattery Silica Sand Project The Cape Flattery Silica Sands Project is adjacent to the world-class Cape Flattery Silica Sand mining and shipping operation owned by Mitsubishi. Exploration drilling to date has now confirmed that the sand dunes within EPM 25734 contain high purity silica sands with an in-situ quality, which is understood to be comparable to Mitsubishi’s Cape Flattery Silica Mine.