Taken Nth Burnett Times -11th JanuaryMonto Minerals as started...

Taken Nth Burnett Times -11th January

Monto Minerals as started work at the feldspar wash plant at Dakiel.
Monto contractor L & R Benecke has
been awarded the earthworks contract for
the Dakiel plant and started work at the
site this week, protect officer Phil McMurtrie
said.
He said Queensland Rail has to inspect
the railway line at Dakiel to see if any work
is required, but he expected minimal work
needed to be done so the feldspar could be
transported by rail.
Mr McMurtrie said a decision on the successful
tender on the building of the main
processing plant at the Goondicum site has
been made but was confidential until the
contracts were finalised.
The company announced that the project
and water pipeline construction are proceeding
to plan.
They are also accelerating the development
of high value ground feldspar.
CEO Geoffrey Moore said with feldspar
for glass making under severe competitive
pressure in Europe, they are accelerating
development of the higher value ground
feldspar, which commands a premium price
in international markets.
"Monto Minerals is confident in the long
term growth and development of its ground
feldspar product, particularly due to recent
interest from the USA, a market where
Montos silica free feldspar is particularly
suited," Mr Moore said.
Glass feldspar is the subject of a current
price war in Europe, and increased freight
costs and unfavourable exchange rates
have added significantly to the cost of Montos
feldspar exports to glass manufacturers,
resulting in a reduction in projected export
sales of glass feldspar, the CEO said.