Mineral Sands Project Update
Exploration Licence Number – EL6844
Official Project Area
SCHEDULE A: Exploration Licence Number EL6844
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DESCRIPTION OF AREA : CHINBINGINA AREA
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Approximately 40 km east-southeast of Ceduna, bounded as follows: Commencing at a point being the intersection of latitude 32°10′S and longitude 134°05′E, then east to longitude 134°07′E, south to latitude 32°12′S, east to longitude 134°19′E, north to latitude 32°10′S, east to longitude 134°22′E, south to latitude 32°13′S, west to longitude 134°21′E, south to latitude 32°14′S, west to longitude 134°20′E, south to latitude 32°17′S, west to longitude 134°19′E, south to latitude 32°18′S, west to longitude 134°18′E, south to latitude 32°19′S, west to longitude 134°05′E, north to latitude 32°18′S, and north to the point of commencement.
Please note: The lease area is best seen on the following link: https://map.sarig.sa.gov.au/
Exploration Lease Status
The exploration lease was granted on 28/9/2022 and is expected to conclude on 27/09/2028. There is an extensive library of over 3000 pages of available data for the mining lease area. Past exploration costs in the area exceeds $1,000,000 with samples retained from past drilling research. Sandstar identified 21 available historic test holes from approximately 200 holes that were originally drilled by previous exploration companies. Modern equipment allows a North-South and East-West test cross of downhole data to be now assembled that refines analysis of the mineral lease area.
The company has reviewed the new data to build a modified mineral system model. Testing revealed rare earth elements typically bound in limonitic clays or adjacent to calcrete. This was a positive result considering previous exploration had also identified regional scale mineral sands are present. This supports a view that a layered complex mineral system is present in the lease area.
Sandstar continues to use advanced non destructive laboratory testing where possible including XRF analysis. The current goal is to increase the density of test data surrounding several identified target areas. This requires the preparation and approval of an environmental plan and operational work plan. An external professional consultant will be contracted to ensure accurate high quality reporting is completed during the year.
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In the coming months, Sandstar hopes to meet directly with landholders within the defined target area and discuss the low impact work program. First work would be surveying and surface samples using non mechanical “traditional” exploration methods only with landholders and regulators consent.
Minerals Usage
Heavy Mineral Sands and Rare Earths are used in many industries. These metals usage can be as diverse as aircraft engineering, biomedical applications and household interior products.
Sandstar™ proposes to explore for future Green Metals, these are the resources that are expected to power the zero carbon economy.
Typically these are metals used in Hydrogen production.
• RUTILE – TITANIUM – ZIRCON – IRIDIUM
• Metals used for solar panels & generators
• Metals for Hydrogen electrolysis
• Metals prepared for H2 gas storage
• Metals used in additive manufacturing.
Our Current Strategy
We are currently preparing and Environment Plan to progress ground testing within a limited target area for minerals in the lease. This follows extensive XRF laboratory work (818 tests) including extensive imaging of samples completed in September 2023. The results identified new REE including Nd, Pr, Ce. These minerals are probably Monazite derived and are found typically in clay layers adjacent to currently known HMIN (Heavy Mineral Sands). This initial research has focused on retesting existing ground samples and refining an updated geological model for the Narlaby Palaeo Zone. The proposed program of work in 2024 is expected to progress to higher grade laboratory testing of larger sand samples. This work should eventually define a JORC estimate that identifies a layered “Triple asset” including surface minerals, HMIN and possibly ISR salts.
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Youth Employment Development Options
Application Period: September 2024
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Are you interested in being involved with a mining career ?
The leaseholder plans to grow the Ceduna district workforce. We support a diverse workforce that reflects the local community. We hope to see effective youth development and are keen to work with local representative partners. If you would like to learn or be part of an exploration team, please make contact with a brief introduction letter and describe your previous work experience.
Please note: Our workplace requires all staff to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated.
News: Next community meeting
In late March 2024, Sandstar is planning a “Free drink & chat” catch up at the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel. Please make contact if you would like to be involved by clicking here.
We will aim to give you an update on activities, how the lab test work went and what we have found so far. Our purpose will be to update the community on our exploration plans for 2024 and ensure anyone can raise issues with us directly. We look forward to seeing you there.
We will hold further community meetings in Ceduna as the project progresses and are always keen to meet up with you to talk about the exploration work.
