Sandy Ridge Kaolin Sent to UK for Product Trials
News Release
- Laboratory scale production trials commenced for tableware, paint, and glass-fibre
- Independent First Test Minerals (“FTM”) in Cornwall, UK to complete quality analyses
- Key step in converting off-take Expressions of Interest (“EOI”) into bulk sample trials
Tellus Holdings Ltd (“Tellus”) is pleased to announce that laboratory scale production trials have commenced for the company’s kaolin samples to be refined into tableware, paint, and glass-fibre grade products.
The feed material was obtained from drill samples within the previously defined “ceramic resource” from Sandy Ridge’ kaolin bed, and is representative of material likely to be mined. A 110 kg sample of raw feed successfully produced 30 kg (dry) of refined kaolin product.
Both dry and wet separation processes were first trialled at Nagrom Metallurgical in Perth, Western Australia with wet separation being selected for the final production run given its ability to produce a higher quality refined product at an enhanced recovery rate.
Approximately 24 kg (dry) was also sent by airfreight to First Test Minerals in Cornwall UK where it will undergo both detailed quality analyses and a range of product application performance trials.
FTM provides extensive independent kaolin industry experience particularly relevant to Tellus’ kaolin product, and will oversee kaolin performance trials by third-party laboratories specialising in ceramic tableware, paint formulation, and continuous filament glass-fibre manufacturing.
Tellus’ samples will be used in laboratory scale production trials creating tableware, paint, and glass-fibre, and the results will be used to generate detailed product specification sheets to accompany marketing samples taken from the remaining 6 kg. A leading UK manufacturer has already successfully completed ceramic tableware trials. Further trials are anticipated to assess performance in ceramic glaze recipes. CF glass fibre and paint application trials should be completed by May.
This work will assist Tellus’ engagement with potential customers in Australia and Asia, delivering both detailed specifications and small samples of refined kaolin to confirm the quality of the resource.
“This is a key step in converting off-take Expressions of Interest for kaolin products into bulk sample trials,” said Tellus’ Managing Director, Duncan van der Merwe. “Major Asian trading houses and end-users have requested that we provide them with detailed specifications, laboratory samples, and bulk samples of refined product so that we can progress to negotiating binding agreements”.
About Tellus Holdings:
Tellus Holdings Ltd is an infrastructure project development company with a proposed dual revenue business model. This involves mining the commodities salt and kaolin and backfilling the voids left from mining with equipment, archives or long term temporary storage of waste. Tellus’ business model mirrors world’s best practice solutions operating in the UK, EU, USA and Canada. Tellus is developing the Chandler salt mine project in the Northern Territory (NT) and the Sandy Ridge kaolin mine project in Western Australia. Tellus’ flagship ‘Chandler Project’ was recently awarded “Major Project Status” by the Northern Territory Government.
For further information:
Visit: www.tellusholdings.com.au or contact:
Duncan van der Merwe
Managing Director
Tel: +61 (0)2 8257 3395
Jane Munday
Michels Warren Munday
Mob: +61 (0)427 880 083
