JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A key mine plan drilling campaign is under way at ASX-listed bauxite developer Metallica Minerals’ Urquhart bauxite project, near Weipa, in north Queensland, to assist with the company’s final planning for a 2017 mine start.
Metallica noted on Thursday that the results of the drilling campaign would be used as part of the project’s prefeasibility study (PFS), which is due for completion in eight to ten weeks.
The PFS is expected to confirm the results of a previously completed options study undertaken internally by Metallica early this year to progress the project as a new Cape York direct-shipping bauxite mine and export operation.
Results from the programme will also be used to upgrade the project’s current bauxite Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant inferred resource.
The drilling campaign is expected to be complete in two weeks and will see drill spacing down to 80 m in some areas.
“The new drill programme will deliver closed-spaced drilling results to assist detailed mine planning at Urquhart bauxite project for the planned commencement of operations in the first half of 2017.
“Metallica remains bullish that this project will deliver significant shareholder value and is looking forward to sharing the results of the PFS as soon as they are available,” said Metallica CEO Simon Slesarewich.