Major works start for big zircon mine
Posted 39 minutes ago
Mineral sands: major works to start in west of SA (file photo)
Mineral sands: major works to start in west of SA
South Australian Government approval has been granted for major works to begin at what could be one of the world's largest zircon mines.
The Iluka mineral sands project, north-west of Ceduna, will start infrastructure work on airstrips roads, water pipelines, power supplies and staff accommodation.
Iluka development manager Hans Umlauff says the company is keen for mining to begin in 2010.
"It's actually a very significant step for us, this early site work MARP (Mining And Rehabilitation Plan) approval really is the approval that gives us the go-ahead to commence our actual works on the site," he said.
"To date we've really only been able to do test work. We've put in place the 40-man camp as the base for us to commence our site work.
"But this approval allows us to do some of the early preparatory works. It's really all of the infrastructure work to allow us to starting building the mine proper."
The Iluka board recently approved spending of $420 million on the project.
It hopes the mine will reach full production of about 300,000 tonnes of zircon a year from 2011 and says it should have a life of about a decade.
Zircon is used for ceramics, tiles and sanitary ware, as well as specialist applications such as zirconium metal and zirconia.
ABC News 9:41am
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