PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Precious and base metals explorer Robust Resources would launch a feasibility study into its Romang Island manganese project, in Indonesia, after defining a Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource at the site.

The Romang Island project was estimated to host some 566 000 t of material, grading 42.5% manganese, Robust said on Thursday. The project comprises a number of high-grade manganese mineralisation deposits over two locations.

The company was currently undertaking a scoping study into development options for the manganese deposits, with the study scheduled for completion in December. The explorer noted that initial studies have indicated a viable direct shipping ore operation could be established, once an export licence was obtained from the Indonesian government.

“Robust intends to vigorously pursue the high-grade manganese opportunity on Romang Island as an early cash flow opportunity, which will lead into a much larger and potentially long-life precious metal/base metal polymetallic mine,” said MD Gary Lewis.

He noted that the manganese resource represented a low-risk project that could be developed in a short timeframe for minimal capital and that would have an immediate and positive return on investment.

Further, infrastructure established for the manganese project could be used during the construction and operation of the subsequent polymetallic project.

“It would also allow the residents on Romang Island to become familiar with mining operations and provide opportunities for participation, training and the upskilling of local workers. This will be a huge boost for the Romang Island, regency and provincial economies,” Lewis added.

The feasibility study would include additional drilling and assays to bring the mineral resource to the measured or indicated categories, as well as studies on mine planning, beneficiation, marketing and an estimate on capital expenditure and mining expenditure.

The timing of the feasibility study would coincide with the finalisation of Robust’s efforts to obtain a mining operating licence from the Indonesian government.