The company plans to conduct initial beneficiation tests to produce garnet concentrates, followed by product specification checks to meet industry standards, such as low chloride and heavy metal content.
If successful, bulk sampling and pilot processing will generate samples for potential offtake partners, paving the way for market entry.
These steps aim to establish Oonagalabi as a viable source of industrial minerals, capitalising on a global garnet market valued at about US$703 million (A$1085 million) in 2024. The market is projected to grow at 5.4 per cent annually, driven by demand for sustainable abrasives, precision cutting, and water filtration.
The outcome would boost Oonagalabi’s industrial mineral prospects, particularly given its almandine-rich garnet, provided it overcomes logistical challenges and secures strategic partnerships.
The project’s dual focus on industrial minerals and copper-zinc exploration enhances its long-term value proposition in a dynamic market.
While the heavy mineral sands discovery enhances Oonagalabi’s appeal, Litchfield remains focused on its primary goal of exploring iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) systems.
Geoscience Australia’s IOCG mineral potential map ranks Oonagalabi as moderately prospective, supported by its alignment with continental-scale gravity lineaments and proximity to the major crustal boundaries between the Irindina and Aileron Provinces.
These geological features, common in Tier 1 deposits, underscore the project’s potential for significant copper-zinc discoveries, with the garnet-rich Oonagalabi Formation adding a secondary resource opportunity.
Litchfield’s Oonagalabi project stands out as a multi-commodity prospect in the heart of the Northern Territory. With its high-grade copper-zinc potential complemented by a garnet-rich HMS resource, the project offers diversified value.
As Litchfield advances its exploration and partnerships, Oonagalabi could emerge as a significant contributor to both critical and industrial mineral markets.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
