Discovered in 2007, the project is located along the Barton shoreline within the Wanna Lakes area of the northern Eucla Basin, 25 kilometres from Western Australia’s state border with South Australia and 220km north of the transcontinental railway.

The Cyclone deposit occurs within adjoining tenements M69/141 (Cyclone), held by Diatreme’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lost Sands Pty Ltd, and R69/1, (Cyclone Extended), held by Diatreme directly.

In November 2014, Western Australia’s Department of Mines and Petroleum granted a Mining Lease for the project (within ML69/141), which followed the signing of a project agreement with the traditional owners, the Pila Nguru Spinifex People. In January 2017, the project received final ministerial consent, allowing for the development of a mineral sands mine and associated infrastructure.

In January 2017, Diatreme updated the Cyclone Mineral Resource estimate to 203Mt at 2.3% heavy minerals (HM) (1% HM cut-off grade) containing 4.70Mt of HM (refer to Diatreme’s ASX announcement dated 27 April 2017).

A Definitive Feasibility Study announced in 2018 demonstrated the project’s potential as the largest undeveloped, zircon-dominant heavy mineral sands project in the world-class Eucla Basin.

In late 2023, Diatreme expanded (39 sub blocks) the exploration tenement area surrounding Cyclone, with the grant by the Western Australian Government (DEMIRS) of E69/4143. This additional EPM area further protects Cyclone’s existing tenement (mining and retention licence) holdings.

In September 2024, Diatreme announced plans for a new air-core drilling program encompassing up to 156 holes and totalling around 5,500m. Under the program, 10 tonnes of heavy mineral sand will be obtained from the Cyclone Deposit, taken from areas
representing the first three years of planned production under the current mine design.

The program aims to collect sufficient samples for processing test work using the latest equipment and processes, process products and confirm previous drilling results for potential customers and investors.

Diatreme has continued to engage with a range of parties to unlock shareholder value from the Cyclone Zircon Project. Talks are advancing and Diatreme anticipates a number of opportunities for Cyclone’s development, with both domestic and international interest in this high-grade zircon project.