PERTH (miningweekly.com) – An update to the mineral resource and reserve estimate at the Grande Côte mineral sands project, in Senegal, has extended the mine life until 2043, owner Mineral Deposits Limited (MDL) said on Friday.
Grande Côte, which started production in March last year, was expected to produce, on average, about 85 000 t/y of zircon and 575 000 t/y of ilmenite when in full production, making it the largest new mineral sands project currently under construction.
The project initially had a mine life of 20 years to 2034.
However, MDL noted on Friday that an extension to the resource model; an update of the mine design, dredge path and schedule; and the exclusion of depleted material from mining had resulted in an updated mineral resource.
The project was now estimated to host a measured and indicated resource of some 1.8-billion tonnes, grading 1.5% heavy minerals, for 27.3-million tonnes of in-situ resource.
The project was further estimated to host a proven and probable reserve of 1.53-billion tonnes, grading 1.4% heavy minerals for 21.7-million tonnes of contained heavy minerals.