Iluka proposes to establish the Tutunup mineral sands mine approximately 210km south of Perth and 12km south of the Capel township.
The development of the Tutunup mine site is a major component of Iluka's mine plans in the South West, being a continuation of mining and production of heavy mineral concentrate as other sites conclude mining.
| Resources |
9.5 million tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate ("HMC") |
| Average Grade |
11% |
Planned Production
Commencement |
2011 |
| Expected Mine Life |
3 - 4 years |
| Planned Production |
Production is anticipated to build to 300 tonnes of ore
per hour, producing more 9.5 million tonnes of HMC
during the life of the mine. |
Mining and Processing
Procedure |
Conventional dry mining methods and wet concentration.
HMC will be trucked to the Capel processing plant for
final processing before being exported from the Port of
Bunbury. |
| Employment |
~30 full time people (either as Iluka personnel or
contractors) |
Work on the pre-feasibility study for the proposed Tutunup mine site is currently underway.
Pending the receipt of relevant government and Iluka Board approvals, a construction period of approximately 20 weeks is planned to commence in 2011.
The proposed ore mining method involves excavating the ore and hauling it to the in-pit hopper. The ore is then conveyed to a wet screening plant where oversize material greater than 2.5 mm will be removed. From the screen plant the ore is transported via pumps and pipeline to the wet concentrator where the ore is separated into heavy mineral concentrate, clay fines and sand tails.
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*Project |
The proposed heavy haulage route includes Tompsett Road, Tutunup Road, the northern end of Ludlow Hithergreen Road and onto the Bussell Highway.
Infrastructure will include the establishment of an open cute mine, screen plant, concentrator, workshops, fuel storage areas, solar drying dams, a process water dam, offices and pipelines.
The proposed hours of operation for the bulk of earthmoving equipment 7am to 7pm 6 days a week (Sundays off), hours of operation for feed to the pit hopper and concentrator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Mineral sands product |
Synthetic rutile, ilmenite, rutile and zircon
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Project status |
Pre-feasibility study
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| Project approvals |
It is anticipated that the Tutunup Mineral Sands Project will be formally assessed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER).
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* Project is defined as a site under planning or currently in construction, but not producing mineral/product.