Environmental approval of a jobs-rich West Coast mining project...

Environmental approval of a jobs-rich West Coast mining project is expected to be sought in October.Renison tin mine half-owner Metals X Limited said it was working towards planned lodgement of a development proposal and environmental management plan for its Rentails project with the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority in October.

It has been projected to create about 330 direct and indirect jobs and to need a construction workforce peaking between 400 and 500."The key Rentails activities during the quarter were the continuation of the environmental approvals process and further evaluation of tin fuming test work," Metals X said in its June quarterly report."Mining studies with associated geochemical test work to produce a basis of design for tailings dam deconstruction and reconstruction were completed during the quarter.

"Metals X managing director Damien Marantelli said Renison had produced another strong quarterly performance."The Area 5 mining study has commenced, which will optimise the development and mining strategy," he said."We have also commenced a detailed metallurgical improvement program to increase recovery and throughput capacity in tandem with the higher grade to be mined from Area 5 in 2020."Metals X's half share of Renison's earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation for the quarter totalled $7.6 million and its share of net cashflow was $4.3 million.

They were down from $12.7 million and $10 million respectively in the previous quarter.The mine maintained a strong margin in the quarter.The average price received edged down to $28,365 per tonne, well ahead of the all-in sustaining cost of production of $18,680 per tonne.Ore mined increased by 15 per cent for the quarter, while quarterly tin production dropped from 2061 tonnes to 1649 tonnes.Plant recovery was slightly lower, which Metals X said was due to lower grade mill feed.

It predicted an increased percentage of Area 5 material to the mill would increase feed grade."In addition, mining rate, throughput and recovery increases are planned to further increase production across the year," it said.Tin production guidance for 2019 was unchanged.