Pure Resources Confirms Garnet Quality Meets Global Standards as Advanced Liberation Testwork Advances

Garnet Product Certified to ISO 11126-10:2017 International Abrasive Standard

Pure Resources engaged Malaysia’s Pusat Tenaga & Alam Sekitar (Energy & Environment Centre) to validate the Garnet Hills garnet product against ISO 11126-10:2017, the global standard for garnet abrasives used in steel substrate preparation before coating. This certification is crucial for entry into high-spec blast cleaning and surface preparation markets, especially naval and defence maintenance programs where residual salts and conductive contaminants can impair coating adhesion and longevity. Independent testing confirmed the garnet product is clean, well graded, meets minimum hardness requirements, and has conductivity and soluble chloride levels below market specifications.

This validation marks a key milestone in Pure Resources’ product development, providing a technical foundation for engagement with defence and industrial abrasive buyers. It enables the company to advance purchase order discussions and qualification pathways from a validated, technically robust product position. This is particularly important given the focus on the premium andradite garnet stream and the NAVSEA qualification route outlined in the Defence Materials Platform Strategy.

QEMSCAN Mineralogical Analysis Highlights Locked Quartz and Respirable Dust Characteristics

Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd in Australia conducted QEMSCAN automated scanning electron microscope analysis to quantify mineralogy, liberation, and grain associations in the Garnet Hills product. The analysis identified 4.5% total quartz (free silica), a critical quality factor due to product performance and stringent occupational health regulations on respirable crystalline silica exposure. Results showed 6% of quartz is liberated, while 94% remains locked or semi-locked with garnet grains, with 91% of locked quartz co-joined predominantly with garnet.

Importantly, no quartz was detected in the 0 to 10 micron size range, which is most relevant for respirable dust concerns in abrasive blasting. Only 0.06% quartz appeared in the 10 to 20 micron range. These findings guide Pure Resources’ upgrade strategy, focusing on separating locked quartz via grain boundary fragmentation rather than removing respirable fines, which are minimal or absent in the current product.

IHC Robbins Magnetic and Gravity Separation Testwork Shows Potential to Reduce Locked Silica

Pure Resources engaged IHC Robbins in Australia to perform qualitative testwork assessing magnetic and gravity separation’s effectiveness in lowering free and locked silica content in garnet. Using material from the Garnet Hills bulk sampling, initial results indicate these conventional separation methods reduce silica content, though findings remain at proof-of-concept stage pending comprehensive results.

These established mineral processing techniques offer a practical upgrade path without requiring costly or novel infrastructure. If effective at laboratory scale, they may be incorporated into future processing flowsheets. Further detailed analysis is needed to quantify upgrade levels and evaluate commercial viability at production scale.

Curtin University Trials SELFRAG High Voltage Electrodynamic Fragmentation at Proof-of-Concept

In partnership with Curtin University’s Mineral Separation Laboratory, Pure Resources is trialing SELFRAG high voltage electrodynamic fragmentation on two garnet size fractions from the Garnet Hills bulk sample. Unlike traditional crushing, this technology fractures rock along natural grain boundaries, potentially enabling selective liberation of locked minerals. Initial visual observations suggest significant liberation, though results remain qualitative pending full analysis.

This innovative approach addresses the locked quartz challenge identified by QEMSCAN, allowing quartz locked with garnet to be separated without damaging garnet grains. Given the absence of respirable quartz fines and the need to maintain garnet integrity, SELFRAG may offer advantages over conventional methods. Full results will determine its suitability for future processing strategies.

Advancing Defence Materials Platform Strategy and NAVSEA Qualification

The metallurgical work supports the premium andradite garnet stream of the Defence Materials Platform Strategy announced on 11 May 2026. This framework includes three value streams from Garnet Hills, with the garnet consumables stream progressing toward qualification against United States Navy abrasive standards (NAVSEA) for jet cutting, precision abrasives, and naval hull preparation—high-spec markets with strict quality and regulatory demands.

NAVSEA qualification presents a significant commercial opportunity, commanding premium pricing over general industrial abrasives. It requires independent product validation, documented processing procedures, and consistent supply. The metallurgical program, based on bulk samples collected across Garnet Hills’ 5 km strike, aims to provide the technical defensibility needed for NAVSEA engagement. The company’s systematic approach through validation, mineralogical characterization, and separation testwork underpins qualification credibility for this demanding market.

Bulk Sampling Supports Integrated Testwork and Scale-Up Planning

All testwork uses representative material from a geologically controlled bulk sampling program at Garnet Hills, which collected over 100 kilograms from the 5-kilometre mapped strike. This bulk sample underpins all three Defence Materials Platform Strategy streams and ensures test results represent material available at commercial scale.

Using bulk samples also facilitates planning for larger-scale processing. Pure Resources intends to begin surface profile testing and plan processing of an additional bulk sample. This staged approach validates current findings on fresh material and refines understanding of processing costs, product consistency, and recovery before committing to full-scale operations. Each iteration reduces technical risk and informs capital decisions for downstream facilities.

Next Steps Include Surface Profile Testing and Further Bulk Sample Processing Plans

Pure Resources plans to continue testwork with IHC Robbins and Curtin University, progressing from qualitative observations to comprehensive results for magnetic and gravity separation and SELFRAG fragmentation trials. Concurrently, surface profile testing will start to characterize upgraded garnet product surface properties.

Additionally, the company will initiate planning for processing another bulk sample, advancing from proof-of-concept to larger-scale trials. This measured progression supports disciplined capital deployment and allows refinement of processing parameters prior to full-scale infrastructure investment, enhancing technical defensibility and cost certainty.

Purchase Order Discussions Advance with Positive Market Feedback in Asia and USA

Pure Resources reports ongoing purchase order discussions accompanied by favorable feedback from Asian markets and progressing qualification efforts in the United States. Specific details about counterparties or timelines remain undisclosed, but positive responses indicate broad market interest beyond defence into industrial abrasives across multiple regions.

Concurrent market engagement alongside metallurgical validation and liberation testwork enables the company to align product specifications with customer requirements. Successful conversion of discussions into purchase orders would provide revenue certainty and market validation ahead of significant capital commitments for processing infrastructure at Garnet Hills.

Stage 1 Metallurgical Program Results Provide Foundation for Product Development

The current testwork builds on Stage 1 metallurgical efforts that produced andradite-rich garnet concentrates grading up to 98%, as reported on 18 August 2025. Stage 1 confirmed the Garnet Hills deposit can yield high-grade garnet concentrates, supporting advancement to detailed mineralogical characterization and advanced liberation testwork. Achieving 98% andradite-rich concentrates demonstrated the deposit’s suitability for premium abrasive products.

Transitioning from Stage 1 generic concentration to the current Stage 2 focus on validation, characterization, and targeted separation reflects a logical technical progression. Stage 1 proved high-grade concentration feasibility; Stage 2 aims to identify residual impurities, their locations, and optimal removal technologies while preserving product quality. This phased approach mitigates technical risk by informing subsequent work and capital decisions.

Garnet Hills Project Location and Ownership in East Kimberley, Western Australia

Pure Resources Limited fully owns the Garnet Hills Project, situated on granted Mining Lease ML80/416 in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. The region is mineralogically diverse with formations suitable for various commodities. The company has mapped a 5-kilometre garnet-bearing strike at Garnet Hills, guiding bulk sampling to collect representative material across the deposit. Granted mining lease status confirms regulatory approval for exploration and development.

The East Kimberley location offers access to regional infrastructure and logistics, though specifics on proximity to processing, transport, or workforce have not been disclosed. The secured land position ensures long-term project stability without tenure risks. Pure Resources’ 100% ownership means all project benefits accrue solely to its shareholders, with no joint venture or royalty encumbrances.