Troy Minerals Inc. has taken a significant step toward production by submitting a mining license application for its Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project in Mongolia through its subsidiary, Grand Samsara Consulting LLC. This milestone underscores the company's strategic vision of becoming a cash-generating entity and a key player in the high-purity quartz (HPQ) market. Located in southern Mongolia, approximately 200 kilometers from the Mongolia-China border, the project is well-positioned to meet the rising regional and global demand for high-purity silica.

Yannis Tsitos, President of Troy Minerals, emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating, "Submitting the mining license application for Tsagaan Zalaa to the Mongolian authorities is a major milestone for Troy and its subsidiaries. It reflects our relentless focus on advancing our key silica projects—Tsagaan Zalaa in Mongolia and Table Mountain in British Columbia. Our goal is to transform Troy into a producing company with strong cash flow, serving markets in both Central-East Asia and North America. We believe Tsagaan Zalaa will create long-term value for our shareholders and establish Troy as a major new entrant in the HPQ sector."

Strategic Advantages of Tsagaan Zalaa

Prime Location & Infrastructure: The 1,670-hectare (4,127-acre) project benefits from its proximity to established silica markets, as well as well-developed road and rail infrastructure. The project is situated near a Japanese high-purity quartz quarry and refiner that exports directly to Japan, providing a strong precedent for market demand.

Exceptional Resource Quality: Bulk sampling results from 2023, including a 10-tonne sample sold to a Chinese off-taker, demonstrated silica purity reaching up to 99.98% after beneficiation. The presence of massive high-purity quartz veins, up to five meters wide, exposed on the surface within Upper-Middle Devonian sediments further validates the project's potential for industrial and technological applications.

Simplified Mining Approach & Sustainability Focus: Troy Minerals aims to start with raw HPQ sales, utilizing a straightforward quarrying method that eliminates the immediate need for a processing plant. This "Blast-Scoop-Load" approach allows for efficient, low-impact mining. The company remains committed to sustainable mining practices, community support, and long-term value creation for shareholders.

With the mining license application now submitted, Troy is shifting its focus toward finalizing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), securing financing, and engaging in discussions with potential offtake partners. Subject to regulatory approval, the company anticipates commencing production at Tsagaan Zalaa in 2025, generating revenue through HPQ sales. However, the company acknowledges that any production decision made before completing a feasibility study confirming the economic and technical viability of the project carries inherent risks and uncertainties.

Troy Minerals' progress with Tsagaan Zalaa marks a crucial step in its expansion strategy, positioning it to meet the increasing global demand for high-purity silica while reinforcing its presence in the critical minerals market.