An increase in zircon-in-concentrate (ZIC) and synthetic rutile production were among the highlights of Iluka Resources’ September 2024 quarter.
The rare earths producer’s overall production included 43,000 tonnes (t) of zircon sands, 27,000t of ZIC and 59,000t of synthetic rutile.
Total zircon/rutile/synthetic rutile sales equalled 97,000t, a 40,000t decrease from the June 2024 quarter. Despite the sales decline, Iluka said its ZIC sales sit at 49,000t year-to-date and are 9000t ahead of its 2024–25 financial year guidance.
The company also expects a further 10,000t will be sold in the next quarter.
“The Jacinth-Ambrosia mine in South Australia produced 52,000t of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC), down from 80,000t in (the June 2024 quarter), due to processing of lower grade ore,” Iluka said.
“Heavy mineral grade over year to date of three per cent is in line with the mine plan as outlined in the March quarterly review. In Western Australia, the Cataby mine produced 159,000t of HMC.”
“Ore treated volumes in (the September 2024 quarter) were up nine per cent from (the June 2024 quarter) following the commissioning of the second new mining unit. The Narngulu mineral separation plant primarily processed Jacinth-Ambrosia material, producing a total of 69,000t of zircon (including ZIC) and 10,000t of rutile.”
On an operational level, the Balranald rutile project in New South Wales remains on track for commissioning for the first half of 2025.
Construction of the site access road at Balranald is set to be completed in the December 2024 quarter and site earthworks are progressing at the wet concentrator location and future accommodation village. The accommodation units are also due to arrive in the December 2024 quarter.
“Off-site construction of the concentrator is approaching completion and preparations are underway for shipping to site,” Iluka said.
“Factory acceptance testing of the first of four mining rigs has been completed to Iluka’s satisfaction and it will now be transported to site.”
Iluka also progressed environmental approvals, process engineering and mine design activities for its Wimmera heavy mineral sands project in Victoria.
Exploration was also a highlight for Iluka, with 9059m drilled across its NSW and Queensland operations and field mapping and sampling programs completed in the Northern Territory.
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