Zeotech Extracts 2,300+ Tonnes of Kaolin, Prepares for 2026 Ship Trials

• Over 2,300 tonnes of kaolin extracted in a 7-day test pit campaign
• 60 tonnes of Pink Kaolin prepared for Q1 2026 ship-loading trials at Port of Bundaberg
• Cultural heritage and ecological surveys completed, with reports nearing finalisation
• Compensation agreement secured for haul road access to expedite mining operations
• Traffic Impact Assessment completed supporting increased transport volumes under binding offtake agreement

Test Pit Milestone Boosts Project Momentum

Zeotech Limited (ASX, ZEO) has marked a pivotal step in advancing its Toondoon Kaolin Project with the successful completion of a large-scale test pit. Over a concentrated seven-day period, the company extracted more than 2,300 tonnes of high-purity kaolin spanning Grey, Pink, and White resource profiles. This substantial haul not only validates mining assumptions but also provides critical geotechnical data essential for detailed mine planning and the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).

The extracted kaolin is earmarked for multiple strategic uses. Notably, 60 tonnes of Pink Kaolin have been transported to a facility near the Port of Bundaberg in preparation for Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) ship-loading trials scheduled for early 2026. These trials aim to test the logistics and performance of the product on the port’s recently commissioned multi-use conveyor infrastructure, a key step in confirming the project's shipping and handling capabilities.

Advancing Approvals and Infrastructure

Alongside operational progress, Zeotech has made significant headway in securing essential project approvals. Cultural heritage and ecological surveys covering the mining lease and proposed haul roads have been completed, with associated reports currently in draft form and moving toward finalisation. The company has also executed a compensation agreement with an adjacent landowner to establish a start-up mine access haul road, a move designed to fast-track mining operations.

Further infrastructure planning is underway, including detailed design work for the intersection of the haul road with Myola Road and the Mundubbera-Durong Road. An updated Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has been completed, reflecting increased transport volumes aligned with the binding offtake agreement with Jiangsu Mineral Sources International Trading Co. This comprehensive approach to approvals and logistics underscores Zeotech’s commitment to a smooth transition from development to production.

Supporting AusPozz™ Development and Future Growth

Beyond immediate mining and shipping objectives, the test pit program supports Zeotech’s broader ambitions with its AusPozz™ product line. Additional kaolin stockpiled adjacent to the test pit will facilitate further milling and calcination trials, critical steps in refining the high-reactivity metakaolin used in low-carbon concrete applications. The company has also packaged 10 tonnes each of Grey and Pink Kaolin into bulka bags for detailed process design work planned in the first quarter of 2026.

CEO James Marsh highlighted the significance of these milestones, noting that the combined operational and approval progress provides a solid foundation to accelerate mining approvals and advance the AusPozz™ DFS. This dual focus on immediate production readiness and innovative product development positions Zeotech well within the growing market for sustainable construction materials.

Bottom Line?

Zeotech’s recent operational and regulatory strides set the stage for a critical phase of testing and feasibility work that will shape the Toondoon Kaolin Project’s commercial future.

Questions in the middle?

• How will the outcomes of the Q1 2026 ship-loading trials influence final logistics and shipping strategies?
• What timeline is anticipated for the finalisation of the Definitive Feasibility Study and subsequent production decisions?
• How might the compensation agreement and haul road development impact project costs and operational timelines?