Iluka Resources has given the green light to the $275 million Cataby mineral sands project which is located 150 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia.
The approval for the development came after Iluka secured offtake agreements for 85 per cent of production from the mine.
The Cataby mine will have an initial 8.5-year mine life and will be producing approximately 200,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile, 50,000 tonnes of zircon and 30,000 tonnes of rutile.
Source: Iluka Resources
Construction of the mine is expected to take up to 18 months and is expected to create up to 250 jobs. Once the mine is operational, it will support approximately 160 jobs in addition to the existing 160 workers at Iluka’s Capel site.
“Iluka has worked closely with customers to secure offtake agreements for a significant portion of the synthetic rutile production associated with the Cataby project.
“Entering into these agreements serves to underpin returns from the project and is consistent with Iluka’s disciplined approach to the allocation of capital and our objective to create and deliver shareholder value,” Iluka Managing Director Tom O’Leary said.
Mr O’Leary added that this project will ensure that Iluka’s customers will have a continued supply of rutile as well as deliver significant economic benefits to Dandaragan and Capel.
The company is expecting to begin production on the Cataby mine in the second quarter of 2019.
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Source: Australian Mining, Business News WA, Iluka Resources