Mineral Commodities Ltd (ASX: MRC) has announced a Maiden JORC Ore Reserve of 21.8 million tonnes at 31% THM1 containing 6.7 million tonnes heavy mineral for the Western Strandline of the Tormin Mineral Sands Operation in South Africa.
MRC is developing Tormin with its empowerment partner, Blue Bantry Investments 255 (Pty) Ltd.
The Western Strandline Ore Reserve is located within Prospecting Right 10262PR (WC 30/5/1/1/2/10262PR) and includes the inland portions of the 162 and 163 Expanded Mining Right (EMR) of the company’s 50% owned South African subsidiary, Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd (MSR).
The Tormin Inland Strands deposits comprises the Western and Eastern Strandlines which run directly behind the existing beach mining areas and adjacent to the current processing infrastructure at Tormin.
The Maiden Ore Reserve is a sub-set of the Western Strandline Mineral Resource estimate of 193 million tonnes at 9.5% Total Heavy Minerals (THM) as announced in December 2021.
Specifically, it is based on the 74 million tonnes of measured, indicated and stockpiled resources. The company is planning a phase-3 drilling programme designed to infill the inferred resource of the Western and Eastern Strandline and will target delineating a JORC Code (2012) compliant updated Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve.
The Maiden Ore Reserve estimate is based on a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”), using modifying factors applied on measured and indicated Mineral Resources.
The orebody contains a high grade heavy mineral assemblage and will produce profitable mineral sands products.
The Maiden Ore Reserve is estimated at 21.8 Mt of ore with an average THM grade of 31% resulting in 6.7Mt of in-situ Heavy Minerals in Proven and Probable categories. It encompasses approximately 8km in total length across 153 hectares adjacent to the existing plant.
The Inland Strand Project is based on a staged development approach. Stage 1 involves a 1.2Mtpa mining and processing operation within the already granted Expanded Mining Right (162 & 163 EMR) and Stockpiled ore – where 7.9Mt of Ore Reserves are available.
Mining operations are then planned to extend into the new Mining Right application areas (located wholly within 10262PR and the Company-owned farm Geelwal Karoo 262), with the 13.9 Mtpa of Ore Reserves in this area underpinning a doubling of Inland Strand production to a 2.4Mtpa operation in Stage 2.
Managing Director, Jacob Deysel, said regulatory approvals will be required to extend mining activities outside the existing granted EMR and preparations for applications are at an advance stage. The Maiden Ore Reserve is expected to support mining operations for more than 10 years.
“This represents an important milestone that underpins our growth strategy for Tormin. Growing the Inland Strand resource and now maiden ore reserve allows us to take a critical look at our expansion strategy for the Inland Strand operations,” Mr Deysel said.
“A phased development programme from the Inland Strand and Beach deposits in a short period will significantly improve flexibility, optionality and revenue capacity from Tormin.”
For further information please visit: https://www.mineralcommodities.com/
