Name of the Project
Browns Range heavy earths project.

Location
East Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Northern Minerals.

Project Description
A definitive feasibility study (DFS) has outlined the project’s technical and financial viability and its strategic significance as a near-development source of dysprosium and terbium (Dy/Tb).

The project mine plan includes openpit mining transitioning to underground mining, with production predominantly through end-on longitudinal sublevel caving. 

The project is expected to include 12 years of mining, supporting an 11-year life-of-mine, defined as the period from first to final concentrate production.

Two production scenarios have been developed: the production target mine plan, which underpins the DFS and financial valuation for the project, and the ore reserve mine plan, which supports the ore reserve estimate.

Project economics are based on the production target mine plan, which is underpinned by the Wolverine mineral ore reserves and resources estimates, and the Browns Range pilot plant stockpiles.

The production plan forecasts production of about 17 500 t/y of xenotime concentrate at an estimated 25% total rare-earth oxides (TREO), containing about 4 350 t/y of TREO.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The DFS delivers a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$187-million and an internal rate of return of 12%, with a seven-year payback.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital is estimated at A$592-million, including A$77.5-million in contingency.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Front-end engineering and design activities have started, supporting progress towards project delivery and development readiness.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
MACA (bulk earthworks); Primero (turnkey solutions provider); Sinosteel MECC (engineering, procurement and construction contract); and K-Technologies (scoping study).

Contact Details for Project Information
Northern Minerals, tel +61 8 9481 2344, fax +61 8 9481 5929 or email info@northernminerals.com.au.