Project and Mineral Separation Plant, Murray Basin
The deposit Donald Project is one of the largest known zircon and titanium resources in the world with a current updated total mineral resource estimate of 5,710 Mt, of mineral sand at an average grade of 3.2% HM. Measured Mineral Resource estimate for the Donald Deposit doubled to 715Mt @ 4.3% HM compared to 2014 estimate of 340Mt @ 4.3% HM, both at 1% HM cut-off.
This mineral resource estimate was prepared by AMC Consultants who were engaged in October 2015 and incorporated drilling results from the 2015 drilling campaign. The Mineral Resource estimate is reported in accordance to JORC Code 2012.
AMC Reports:
-
Resource Estimate for RL2002 Donald Mineral Sands Deposit – March 2016
-
Resource Estimate for RL2003 and 2006 Donald Mineral Sands Deposit – March 2016
-
Resource Estimate for MIN5532 Donald Mineral Sands Deposit – March 2016
Mineral resource at 1% HM Cut-off
|
Report |
Classification |
Tonnes (MT) |
% HM |
|
AMC resource estimate for MIN5532 DMS deposits |
Measured |
372 |
4.5 |
|
Indicated |
75 |
4.0 |
|
Inferred |
7 |
3.5 |
|
Total |
454 |
4.4 |
|
AMC resource estimate for RL2002 DMS deposits |
Measured |
343 |
3.9 |
|
Indicated |
833 |
3.3 |
|
Inferred |
1,595 |
3.4 |
|
Total |
2,771 |
3.4 |
|
AMC resource estimate for RL2003 & 2006 DMS deposits (now RL2003) |
Measured |
|
|
|
Indicated |
1,903 |
2.8 |
|
Inferred |
584 |
2.9 |
|
Total |
2,487 |
2.8 |
|
|
Total |
5,712 |
3.2 |
Mineral resource where VHM data is available at 1% HM Cut-off
|
Report |
Classification |
Tonnes (MT) |
% HM |
|
AMC resource estimate for MIN5532 DMS deposits |
Measured |
264 |
5.4 |
|
Indicated |
49 |
4.9 |
|
Inferred |
5 |
4.2 |
|
Total |
317 |
5.3 |
|
AMC resource estimate for RL2002 DMS deposits |
Measured |
185 |
5.5 |
|
Indicated |
454 |
4.2 |
|
Inferred |
647 |
4.9 |
|
Total |
1,286 |
4.8 |
|
AMC resource estimate for RL2003 & 2006 DMS deposits (now RL2003) |
Measured |
|
|
|
Indicated |
668 |
4.9 |
|
Inferred |
155 |
4.0 |
|
Total |
823 |
4.8 |
Project Status and Approvals
In 2016 and 2017 focus shifted to increasing efficiency and effectiveness of processing methodologies, refining engineering design, mine planning and scheduling, defining infrastructure requirements, and native vegetation studies and assessments.
In 2018 1,100t run of mine (RoM) material was excavated for the purpose of geotechnical and metallurgical testing to determine pit wall stability of material in dry and wet zones, overburden and ore. In addition to this testwork, assessments of material placement, rehabilitation and the post backfill environment condition monitoring all formed an important step in progressing the DMS Project Work Plan.
In July 2019 the RoM material was processed into a final HMC product for the development of marketing samples and long term global off take agreements. This process was conducted using advanced technologies in fine grain processing concepts. A piloting program including metallurgical analysis as stage one is complete. Stage two piloting is anticipated to be developed offshore where the HMC will be processed into final products.
DMS completed the basic design works for mining, metallurgy and tailings in January 2015, providing DMS with the information required to transition into the final stages of feasibility designs prior to detailed phases of execution.
The Donald project completed the Environmental Effect Statement (EES) process and was granted approval in November 2008. The project subsequently went on to be granted a Mining Licence (ML5532) in 2012. Other approvals obtained include the Cultural & Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) in 2014 and Export Licence in 2016. A draft Work Plan has been submitted to the relevant Victorian Gevernment Department and a final draft will be submitted when all details of the final stages of the project development are completed.