Name of the Project
Northern Silica project.

Location
Far north Queensland, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Diatreme Resources.

Project Description
A scoping study has shown the project’s potential for a valuable long-life operation of significant scale and in proximity to existing marine infrastructure.

The study proposes the construction of a 25-year operation using an initial production rate of three-million tonnes a year for two years, followed by five-million tonnes a year for 23 years.

These production rates require mining of 3.75-million tonnes a year for two years, increasing to 6.25-million tonnes for the following 23 years.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value of $1.41-billion and an internal rate of return of 33%, with a payback of six years.

Capital Expenditure
The base case analysis uses an initial project capital estimate of about A$356-million. An additional capital investment of A$179-million will be required two years after the start of production, to increase the run rate to five-million tonnes a year.

Planned Start/End Date
None stated.

Latest Developments
The project’s permitting and studies pathway are advancing, including access to the port precinct to undertake relevant studies.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Diatreme Resources, tel +61 7 3397 2222.