Diatreme, as an emerging Australian producer of mineral and silica sands, has one of the largest high purity silica exploration land packages in Australia, covering an area of circa. 591 sq km in Queensland’s Eastern Cape York region, around 200km north of Cairns.  

Diatreme, as an emerging Australian producer of mineral and silica sands, has one of the largest high purity silica exploration land packages in Australia, covering an area of circa. 591 sq km in Queensland’s Eastern Cape York region, around 200km north of Carins. Diatreme currently holds four mineral exploration permits which cover the large Quaternary sand dune field stretching between Cape Bedford/Nob Point in the south to Cape Flattery/Point Lookout in the North, part of which is currently being mined by Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd, subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, and is the world’s largest silica sand mining operation. This expansive tenement holding includes the Northern Silica Project (NSP), Galalar Silica Sand Project (GSSP) and the Western Resource Area (WRA).

Diatreme’s silica resource base interest is 402Mt (100% basis) across its silica sand projects, one of the largest high-grade silica sand resources in Australia.

The NSP has a large mineral resource base of 235Mt (100% basis). The NSP Scoping Study indicates the potential targeted production rate of 5Mtpa could be sustained for 25 years. Metallurgy tests indicate a high purity “low iron” silica product, likely to be highly suitable for solar panel manufacturers sheet glass requirements. Diatreme is currently progressing its full feasibility study for the NSP and advancing the regulatory approval process.

In relation to the GGSP, a Maiden Mineral Reserve estimate (JORC 2012) was announced in November 2021, comprising 32Mt, sufficient for an estimated 18 years of initial operations (at 1.65Mt ore processed per annum). The total JORC Mineral Resource is estimated at 75.5Mt. A pre-feasibility study was released in November 2021 that demonstrated a robust project for stakeholders. Bulk testing results have confirmed the project’s ability to produce a world class silica sand product at 99.9% SiO2, meeting the requirements for high-end glass and solar panel manufacturing.

On 6 December 2023, Diatreme announced a maiden resource estimate for the NSP’s Western Resource Area (WRA) comprising of 91.7Mt of high-purity silica sand, which may be incorporated into the NSP mine plan in the future. The Company continues to focus its resource on developing the NSP project. Future exploration and resource definition programs will be designed to determine the economics of establishing WRA as a potential satellite operation to the NSP.







Global material solutions group Sibelco is Diatreme’s joint venture development partner on its silica projects portfolio in Northern Queensland. Sibelco completed its first tranche investment (A$11 million) in December 2022 to acquire a 9.99% interest in the Cape Silica Joint Venture, with a second investment tranche completed in October 2023 (A$24 million) taking its total interest to 26.8%, with the balance (73.2%) held by Diatreme. Sibelco has also contributed A$13.97 million via a strategic placement in Diatreme completed in June 2022.

Diatreme’s silica resources will contribute to global decarbonisation by providing the necessary high-grade silica for use in the solar PV industry. Diatreme has a strong focus on ESG, working closely with its local communities and all other key stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations, including health, safety and environmental stewardship.

BRISBANE

Cairns

hope vale

Unit 8, 55-61 Holdsworth Street
Coorparoo, Queensland, 4151

Suite 55, Level 1, 21 Lake Street
Cairns City, Queensland, 4870

Hope Vale Business Precinct
Muni Street, Hope Vale, 4895

In the spirit of reconciliation, Diatreme Resources Limited acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.