South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) has begun constructing a drill pad within the flagship Ohmgebirge Mining Licence area in Germany, intended to recover potash from depth and verify historic drilling data from as recently as the 1980s.
The first drill hole OHM-02 has been planned to a depth of 692 metres to fully penetrate the known potash horizon in the area. This hole is designed to twin the historical drill hole Kal Wr 6 Liese, which intercepted potash from 651.7 metres to 657.2 metres with a historically reported grade of 15.7% K2O.
Permits for the second confirmatory hole at Ohmgebirge, OHM-01, are expected to be granted in the next few weeks, after which drilling of this hole will immediately follow completion of OHM-02, and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
Step closer to potash extraction
“I am delighted to advise that work has now commenced on the drill pad for the first of our two holes at Ohmgebirge,” South Harz Potash managing director Dr Chris Gilchrist said.
“This is the first potash drill hole drilled in the South Harz Potash District since the 1980s and we are excited to begin the process of extracting potash core from depth.
“Permitting for drilling has been straightforward and, in line with the company’s environmental and social principles that focus on minimising impacts to the local environment and residents within the area.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the regulatory authority TLUBN for their professionalism and to the people of Thuringian for their warm welcome and enthusiasm for our projects.”
Drill holes OHM-02 and OHM-01 will allow the company to upgrade a substantial portion of the current JORC inferred mineral resource estimate at Ohmgebirge to the indicated category.
These confirmation efforts are expected to allow for the release of a scoping study (preliminary technical and economic assessment) toward the end of Q1 2022 from Ohmgebirge, subject to the advancement of all modifying factors.
About South Harz Potash
South Harz Potash aims to become a world-class producer and a major supplier of potash in Europe by developing its large potash resource in the South Harz region of Central Germany, which has been a potash producing region for well in excess of 100 years.
The company’s potash project comprises two exploration licences and three mining licences covering 659 square kilometres.
SHP has established an inferred potash resource of more than 5 billion tonnes at a grade of 10.8% potassium oxide across four deposits that can be developed independently within its asset bases.
