Option Extension Secures Pippingarra’s Future Amid Market Demand for HPQ
Industrial Minerals Ltd has announced a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 6.2 million tonnes at 98% silica for its Pippingarra Quarry Project, alongside successful testwork and a 12-month option extension.
- Maiden JORC Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 6.2Mt at 98% SiO2
- Successful beneficiation and mineral-sorting testwork confirm commercial potential
- Exploration target extends well beyond current resource boundaries
- Option agreement extended by 12 months to October 2026
- Strategic location near Port Hedland supports export logistics
A Landmark Resource Estimate
Industrial Minerals Ltd (ASX, IND) has taken a significant step forward in its development of high purity quartz (HPQ) resources with the release of its maiden JORC-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Pippingarra Quarry Project in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The estimate totals 6.2 million tonnes at an impressive 98% silica (SiO2) content, positioning the project as a potentially cornerstone supplier in the global HPQ market.
Commercial Viability Backed by Testwork
Complementing the resource estimate, Industrial Minerals has reported successful beneficiation and mineral-sorting trials that demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of extracting high purity quartz from the pegmatite deposit. These testwork programs also identified potassium feldspar and muscovite mica as potential co-products, which could diversify revenue streams and enhance project economics.
Exploration Upside and Strategic Positioning
Beyond the defined resource, the company has outlined a substantial exploration target ranging from 35 to 50 million tonnes of silica at grades between 85% and 98%, alongside significant quantities of muscovite mica and potassium feldspar. This suggests a much larger pegmatite system with considerable upside potential pending further drilling and analysis.
The Pippingarra Project benefits from a strategic location approximately 35 kilometres from Port Hedland, offering excellent infrastructure and logistics advantages for export. The granted mining lease and operational readiness through a partnership with North West Quarries further strengthen the project's position.
Option Agreement Extension and Financial Position
Reflecting confidence in the project's progress, Industrial Minerals secured a 12-month extension on its option agreement with North West Quarries, now valid through to October 2026. The company has committed to a minimum additional expenditure of $200,000 during this period to advance exploration and development activities.
As of 30 September 2025, Industrial Minerals held $648,024 in cash, with exploration expenditure of $100,200 recorded for the quarter. The company continues to engage potential offtake partners, focusing on markets in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, solar, and electronics industries.
Looking Ahead
Industrial Minerals plans to conduct further mineralogical assessments, expand drilling to upgrade resource classifications, and continue beneficiation testwork to include identified co-products. Marketing efforts will intensify across the Asia-Pacific region and globally as the company seeks to solidify strategic partnerships and commercial agreements.
Bottom Line?
With a robust resource base and promising testwork results, Industrial Minerals is poised to advance Pippingarra as a key supplier in the high purity quartz market, but upcoming drilling and market engagement will be critical to unlocking its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will further drilling confirm and expand the exploration target into a defined resource?
- How soon can Industrial Minerals secure binding offtake agreements with major industrial customers?
- What impact will co-product development have on the project's overall economics and timeline?
