PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Northern Minerals was on track to complete the definitive feasibility study (DFS) on its Browns Range heavy rare earths project, in Western Australia, by February next year, the company reported on Thursday.
Northern Minerals was hoping for a 2016 production start at Browns Range, after a June prefeasibility study estimated that the project would have a net present value of A$446-million. The study was based on a conventional mining operation involving both opencut and underground operation, with Browns Range expected to deliver about 279 000 kg/y of dysprosium, over a mine life of ten years.
It was estimated that the project would require a capital investment of A$314-million.
The DFS work to date has included geotechnical and grade control drilling, finance and offtake discussions, process and engineering design and the start of several procurement activities to underpin cost estimates.
Further processing testwork had also achieved a best overall total rare-earth oxide recovery of 81.1%, and a process circuit recovery for dysprosium of 83.4%, Northern Minerals said.
In October this year, the project received environmental clearance from the state department, which facilitated the assessment and subsequent approval of the secondary licences, including the mining proposal and project management plan from the Department of Mines and Petroleum, the works approval and licences from the Department of Environment Regulation and water licences from the Department of Water.
Northern Minerals was also working with the Shire of Halls Creek to finalise a road access and maintenance deed for the upgrade and ongoing maintenance of road links between the project and Halls Creek.