www.coalportal.comAustralian Coal ReportFebruary 2007Lab trials...

www.coalportal.com
Australian Coal Report
February 2007
Lab trials lift for Monto Minerals
Emerging industrial minerals player, Monto Minerals, hopes to develop a high
value sideline in new coal processing mineral titanomagnetite, after laboratory
trials confirmed it as a promising business pathway.
Monto Minerals is developing a feldspar, ilmenite and apatite deposit at
Goondicum, 100km south of Gladstone in central Queensland, with construction
well advanced for production in the second half of this year, according to the
company’s financial year Q2 report.
Full-scale testing of the Goondicum titanomagnetite as a heavy media coal
washing agent in a commercial plant started during the quarter. The trial,
managed by the Australian Coal Industry
Research Laboratory (ACIRL), established successful coal separation, but further
work will be undertaken to determine detailed operating and commercial
parameters.
The company says it is in discussions with other parties to determine the most
effective way to introduce its titanomagnetite in the coal mines in Queensland
and New South Wales.