Iluka’s South and Western Australian mines produced strong results in the June quarter (Q2), driving up sales of zircon sand.
Zircon sand sales in Q2 2024 were 59,000 tonnes (t), up 23 per cent from what Iluka is calling a “relatively strong” first quarter. Total zircon sales were 74,000t, including 14,000t of zircon-in-concentrate.
The Jacinth-Ambrosia mine in South Australia produced 80,000t of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC), up from 64,000t in Q1 2024. In Western Australia, the Cataby mine produced 177,000t of HMC, up from 152,000t in the previous quarter.
Iluka is attributing these rises to higher-grade ore being processed during the quarter.
The company is making progress on Australia’s first fully integrated refinery for the production of separated rare earth oxides at Eneabba, WA, focusing on the progression of major engineering packages throughout Q2.
The June quarter also saw the conclusion 0f camp accommodation works at the site, along with the awarding of majority of long lead engineering packages.
Engineering at the Balranald critical minerals project in New South Wales is approaching completion, with construction of the site access road expected to be complete in Q3.
Iluka said Balranald remains on track for commissioning in the second half of 2025.
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