Name of the Project
Bidaminna mineral sands project.

Location
North Perth basin, Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Image Resources.

Project Description
The project prefeasibility study (PFS) proposes a dredge mining operation, as the deposit is located below the water table. However, for removal of overburden located above the water table, the PFS proposes the conventional ‘dry mining’ method using a small fleet of scrapers, trucks and excavators.

Within the top 15 m to 25 m of the dredging material, those materials designated as overburden or waste material are proposed to be mined using a Beaver cutter suction dredge with a 25 m reach. The ore and mineralised waste below the overburden are proposed to be mined with a jet suction dredge with capability to mine down to more than 60 m from the surface of the water. All ore dredge material is proposed to be processed through a floating wet concentrator plant to produce heavy mineral concentrate at a design feed rate of 1 477 t/h to the rougher spirals.

It is proposed that Image employees undertake dredge operations and wet concentrator plant processing, and that a mining contractor perform the dry mining under a fixed and variable schedule of rates contract.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$192-million and an internal rate of return of 28%, with a capital payback of 3.8 years (post-revenue).

Capital Expenditure
A$194-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Based on the PFS results, Image will immediately proceed to a definitive feasibility study, which will include capital and operating costs optimisation, as well as the inclusion of a mineral separation plant that currently is undergoing an independent feasibility study.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Image Resources, tel +61 8 9485 2410 or email info@imageres.com.au.