Kingsland Minerals assessing rutile-gallium value-add potential at Leliyn

• Kingsland begins testwork for rutile and gallium by-product potential
• Exploration targets for both minerals have been estimated
• Leliyn graphite concentrate scoping study progressing well with completion targeted this quarter

Special Report: The team at Kingsland Minerals is diving into testwork to assess the viability of concentrating and extracting rutile and gallium from the graphitic schist at Leliyn graphite project in the Northern Territory.

Samples have been provided to the CSIRO for initial studies to determine the mineralogical host to the gallium within the Leliyn graphite schist.

Perth-based Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) has kicked off work with a comprehensive database from Kingsland’s (ASX:KNG) previous drilling campaigns enabling the estimation of conceptual exploration targets for rutile and gallium.

The company believes it is well placed to capitalise on the growing push in the US, Europe and Asia to reduce reliance on China for specialty metals.

Prices for gallium have been on a tear, currently sitting around $1600/kg, largely due to increased demand in semiconductors, solar panels and EVs.

China’s new export restrictions on certain technologies related to battery components and critical minerals earlier this year have also played a part, building on measures first introduced in July 2023.

The primary driver for increased rutile demand is its use in the production of titanium dioxide, a key pigment in paints, plastics and paper, as well as in the manufacturing of titanium metal for aerospace, medical implants and industrial equipment.

Additional revenue streams

KNG managing director Richard Maddocks said elevated levels of gallium and titanium were noted during previous drilling of the Leliyn graphite deposit.

“Subsequent metallurgical testwork focusing on graphite concentration revealed the presence of titanium in the form of rutile and gallium in the graphite flotation tails stream,” he said.

“Work has now commenced to assess the viability of concentrating, and ultimately extracting, gallium and rutile.

“The Leliyn graphite concentrate scoping study is progressing well with completion expected in this quarter,” he added.

Watch: Kingsland indicates graphite giant for Leliyn scoping study

“The high prices and very strong demand for gallium and rutile highlights the potentially substantial additional revenue which could flow from by-products of these critical metals at Leliyn.”

Gallium exploration target

A gallium exploration target has been estimated based on the existing graphite resource of 12.3Mt grading 7.9% total graphitic content for 1Mt of contained graphite.

It is based on drilling by KNG in 2023 and 2024, comprising 11 diamond core holes and 54 RC holes with around 6888 assay determinations for gallium recorded.

Kingsland has engaged the CSIRO to investigate the gallium mineralisation at Leliyn.

CSIRO will provide geological and geochemical analysis focusing on identifying the hosts of gallium mineralisation and will utilise state of the art analytical techniques, particularly LA-ICP-MS (Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) to assess the distribution and concentration of gallium in various mineral phases.

Rutile exploration target

Meanwhile, the rutile exploration target is based on drilling in 2023 and 2024, comprising 11 diamond core holes and 54 RC holes with 6847 assay determinations for titanium recorded.

There is sufficient data to estimate a resource for rutile but until metallurgical testwork indicates a potentially viable extraction process and reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction are achieved, a mineral resource will not be announced.

Test-work currently is underway by Independent Metallurgy Operations (IMO) to assess the viability to liberate rutile from the schist during the graphite concentration process, either through flotation methods and/or gravity separation.

This article was developed in collaboration with Kingsland Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.