Murray Basin Stage 2, Victoria/New South Wales

The Murray Basin is a large, high quality rutile and zircon province. It is located in both Victoria and New South Wales, and represents an important part of Iluka’s existing operations and provides incremental growth opportunities.



*Project

Murray Basin Stage 2 is designed to develop additional economic deposits in both Victoria and New South Wales, providing additional heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) feed source to the existing mineral separation plant (MSP) in Hamilton.

Murray Basin Stage 2 will involve the mining and concentrating operations surrounding Ouyen, Victoria and includes the development of the Kulwin deposit, followed by the Woornack, Rownack and Pirro group of deposits. The expected mine life is from 2009 to 2014, with the overall Murray Basin operations expected to have a mine life to at least 2023.

Key components are planned to include:

  • Conventional dry mining operations with temporary dewatering as the majority of the deposits lie beneath the standing watertable;
  • Two reverse osmosis plants for freshwater requirements;
  • Accommodation facility located in Ouyen; and
  • Minor road upgrades.
Iluka also has significant additional resources, as well as extensive exploration tenement holdings in the northern part of the Murray Basin, New South Wales.

Mineral Sands Product

Rutile, Zircon


Project Status

First mineral sands production from Murray Basin Stage 2 is expected in the first quarter of 2009.  Site works including road construction and an accommodation facility has commenced.

Project Approvals

The Victorian Minister for Planning required an Environment Effects Statement (EES) be prepared for the Project under the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1978. The Victorian EES process was accredited by the Commonwealth, following a decision to declare the Project a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 due to the potential impacts on wetlands of international significance and listed threatened species.

A Works Approval application has been submitted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in relation to the Project. The hearing process associated with the EES has been completed. The Panel is preparing its report to be presented to the Minister for Planning for his review and approval.

A range of additional licences and government approved plans will also be required by Iluka to construct and operate the mine.

Questions on the Murray Basin Stage 2 Project and exhibited documents should be directed to Iluka Resources Limited, Mildura Office on 03 5021 2045 and Ouyen Office on 03 5092 1785.

Click on the links to view the documents which form the EES, EES Appendices and EPA Works Approval application.

*Project is defined as a site under planning or currently in construction , but not producing mineral/product.