ASX-listed Trigg Mining has more than doubled the strike length and area of its 100 per cent owned Lake Throssell sulphate of potash project. Four new areas were granted to Trigg, expanding the project by 235 per cent to 1,085 square kilometres.
The project expansion releases the potential to expand resources and the projected mine life of what could be a global top ten producer. The new tenements also provide Trigg with some off-lake areas suitable for project infrastructure.
Agreements with traditional landowners, the Ngaanyatjarra and Nangaanya-Ku people are pivotal to the granting of the new tenements.
Trigg said the Lake Throssell project offers a significant economic development opportunity for remote desert communities with minimal environmental impact.
Trigg Mining Managing Director and CEO, Keren Paterson said: “The Traditional Owners and their advisors have been very welcoming of Trigg and we have built strong and direct relationships that underpin the important agreements that have allowed for our tenure to be granted.”
The Lake Throssell project is located on land deemed as “exclusive possession” under Native Title law. However, on gaining the clearance the company said it was pleased the traditional owners supported the vision and production of natural mineral fertiliser essential for food production.
Existing JORC resources at the project are 14.4 million tonnes at 10.4kilograms per cubic metre of drainable sulphate of potash.
Sulphate of potash is widely used as a horticultural fertiliser to supply both potassium and sulphur in conventional and certified organic crops.
Global sales of over $5 billion underpin a growing market for sulphate of potash and Australia has only just started potash production, with all product previously being imported.
Trigg is one of a handful of companies in WA with sulphate of potash projects hoping to fill the 250,000 tonne per annum requirement for local farmers. Currently, farmers pay around $1,000 per tonne.
Heritage surveys are planned for late in the quarter to clear the way for drilling to gain essential aquifer data for the recently commenced pre-feasibility study, or “PFS”.
Trigg announced a renounceable rights issue was underway to raise up to $3.3 million to fund exploration and evaluation as part of the project PFS.
With an eager local market, strong support from traditional owners and the potential to grow into a globally significant producer of sulphate of potash, Trigg is poised to generate more interest as plans progress.
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By Matt Birney
