Sheffield ramps up production at new WA mineral sands mine
Ramp up activities at the Thunderbird mineral sands mine, in Western Australia, are progressing well, with the new mine moving towards nameplate capacity, ASX-listed executive chairperson Bruce Griffin reported on Wednesday.
For the quarter to date, Thunderbird has achieved mine production totalling 1.23-million tonnes, a significant step change from the previous quarter.
Monthly mine production of 750 000 t during May was consistent with the ramp-up schedule towards an annualised ore mining rate of ten-million tonnes a year contained in the 2022 bankable feasibility study.
The increase in the mine production has resulted in higher production of concentrates with about 65 000 t of ilmenite produced in the quarter to date, and about 37 000 t in the current month of May.
Production of zircon concentrate totalled 20 000 t for the quarter to date, with about 12 000 t produced in the month of May.
Thunderbird has encountered higher-than-planned oversized material, which is resulting in higher costs. Coupled with scope changes to mining and logistics contracts, near term cash operating costs will range between $55-million and $60-million per quarter.
Ilmenite shipments have continued to grow, with about 55 000 t of concentrate dispatched to joint venture partner Yansteel, and the loading to 30 000 t of ilemenite concentrate under way.
“Whilst we have observed cost pressure and near-term pressure on realised zircon concentrate pricing, Thunderbird remains a world class mineral sands asset capable of solid production and cost performance across many decades to come,” said Griffin.
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