Strandline Resources (ASX:STA) reports it has achieved commercial production of Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) at its Coburn Mineral Sands Project in Western Australia.
The company says ore commissioning of the in-pit mining units, Wet Concentration Plant (WCP) and associated circuits is well underway with saleable HMC product being produced and stockpile inventories growing.
As part of the commissioning process, tuning of WCP sequences, equipment settings and instrument control loops is continuing, as is managing plant punch list items and defects as they arise.
“Sales of HMC will generate strong cash flow for the company while we complete construction of the Mineral Separation Plant”
Strandline Resources Managing Director Luke Graham said “Ore commissioning is now well underway, as shown by the growing stockpile of product ahead of our first shipment.
Sales of HMC will generate strong cash flow for the company while we complete construction of the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP), which will in turn drive further increases in cash flow.”
Strandline reports haulage of HMC product to storage facilities at the Port of Geraldton is expected to begin next week, and preparations are underway to coordinate the first shipment of HMC next month.
The company is now focused on increasing production throughput towards design rates, improving plant availability and optimising product recoveries and specification.
While the ‘ramp up’ of the WCP continues, construction teams remain focused on finalising the downstream MSP and remaining support infrastructure, and Strandline expects to sell several shipments of HMC produced from the WCP while construction of the MSP is being completed.
Strandline also states with Coburn construction nearing completion and operations ‘ramping up’, it will continue to focus on managing the various risk factors associated with development of the project, including HSE risks, inclement weather, contractor performance, commissioning ‘ramp up’ and contractual claims and disputes.
Strandline Resources is an emerging producer of heavy mineral sands with a portfolio of wholly owned development assets in Western Australia and within the zircon and titanium producing corridor in East Africa.
The company’s project portfolio contains the Coburn Project in Western Australia, as well as the Fungoni and Tajiri projects in Tanzania.
Images: Strandline Resources Ltd
