Tivan Limited has commenced its first drilling campaign at the Sandover Fluorite Project in the Northern Territory, aiming to define a commercially viable fluorite deposit with assay results expected in January 2026.
- Maiden drilling program underway with 11 diamond core holes planned
- Follow-up 54-hole reverse circulation drill campaign scheduled for February 2026
- High-grade surface assays up to 98.4% CaF2 recorded previously
- Received $150,000 Northern Territory Government exploration grant
- Strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation advancing project development
Drilling Commences at Sandover
Tivan Limited (ASX – TVN) has initiated its maiden drilling program at the Sandover Fluorite Project, located 230 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. This marks the first drilling activity at the site since the 1970s, signaling a significant step forward in exploring the project's potential to host a commercially viable fluorite deposit.
The initial phase involves drilling 11 diamond core holes designed to assess the extent and grade of mineralisation within known fluorite veins. These core samples will also support preliminary metallurgical testing, with assay results anticipated in January 2026. Following this, a more extensive reverse circulation drilling campaign comprising 54 holes is planned to commence in February 2026, aiming to build on the geological insights gained from the first stage.
Promising Surface Sampling and Strategic Support
Prior surface sampling programs have returned encouraging results, with assays revealing fluorite grades as high as 98.4% calcium fluoride (CaF2). These findings underpin Tivan’s confidence in the project's potential and its strategy to delineate a deposit of sufficient size and quality to support mining and processing operations.
Adding momentum, the Northern Territory Government has awarded Tivan a $150,000 exploration grant under its Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program, reflecting public sector support for advancing the project. Furthermore, Tivan has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with Sumitomo Corporation, a major Japanese trading house and joint venture partner at Tivan’s Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia. This partnership is expected to facilitate the development pathway for Sandover.
Looking Ahead – Production Pathways and Market Potential
Tivan is actively evaluating expedited pathways to produce metspar, a fluorite product with CaF2 content exceeding 80%, as well as traditional acid-grade fluorspar with purity above 97%. The company aims to deliver a preliminary assessment of these production options in the first quarter of 2026, which could shape the project's commercial trajectory.
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson expressed enthusiasm about the drilling campaign, highlighting the team's dedication to advancing the project before year-end and the anticipation of sharing results early next year. The outcomes of these drilling programs will be pivotal in determining the project's viability and its potential contribution to the fluorite market, which serves diverse industrial applications including steelmaking and chemical manufacturing.
Bottom Line?
January’s assay results will be a critical milestone, potentially unlocking a new fluorite resource for Tivan and shaping its next development phase.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the initial diamond core drilling confirm the high-grade mineralisation suggested by surface samples?
- How will the partnership with Sumitomo influence the project's development timeline and financing?
- What are the comparative advantages of pursuing metspar versus acid-grade fluorspar production at Sandover?