Name and Location
Heemskirk Tin project, Tasmania.

Client
Stellar Resources.

Project Description
Heemskirk Tin has a total resource of 6.28-million tonnes, grading 1.14% tin.

A positive prefeasibility study (PFS) on the Heemskirk Tin has demonstrated the technical and economic viability of the project.

The PFS is based on a 600 000 t/y under-ground mining operation at Heemskirk, with an initial mine life of seven years and the potential to expand once additional drilling within the current Severn resource is complete.

Mining will be undertaken on four orebodies – Upper and Lower Queen Hill, Severn and Montana.

Mining will be a combination of long-hole open stoping and cut-and-fill methods.

Processing will be at a rate of 600 000 t/y for all orebodies except Lower Queen Hill, which will be processed at an estimated 460 000 t/y. There is lower throughput when treating Lower Queen Hill ore because the ore is not amenable to preconcentration by heavy-media separation of barren gangue prior to conventional treatment.

Value
Total preproduction capital is estimated at $113.9-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The development of the Heemskirk Tin project from PFS stage to definitive feasibility study will include:
• drilling to further define the existing mineral resource to measured and indicated status;
• the recovery of core from the four orebodies for further metallurgical testing and variability;
• investigations;
• core sampling to test the acid-generating capability of ore and waste;
• the collection of geotechnical data and bore-hole water samples to investigate hydrology;
• process plant cost and performance optimisation, based on further metallurgical testing;
• the completion of flora, fauna, aboriginal heritage and archaeology surveys, as well as a community impact report;
• the submission of a development plan and environmental management plan; and
• the preparation of an engineering definition study/feasibility study.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Stellar resources, tel +61 3 9618 2540 or fax +61 3 9649 7200.