JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Tungsten developer Tungsten Mining is embarking on a fast-tracked, low capital expenditure (capex) development pathway for its Mt Mulgine project, in Western Australia, with the acquisition of a second-hand processing plant from Pilbara Minerals.
Tungsten will pay A$600 000 for the “near-new” processing plant, which was constructed in 2015, but decommissioned in early 2016 after Pilbara suspended the Tabba tantalum project.
The plant and associated infrastructure were subsequently dismantled, relocated and stored at Pilbara’s Pilgangoora site, near Port Hedland.
The plant consists of a ball milling circuit, coarse and fine gravity recovery circuit, dewatering circuit, pipework, all associated hoppers and pumps, electrical and control equipment, modular, concrete footings and tailings dam liners. It has a nameplate capacity of 30 t/h with upside to increase throughput through optimisation of the existing plant or addition of modules.
The company believes the processing plant acquisition represents a step change in the capital requirements for project development and will deliver a competitive advantage to support initial market entry.
“The Mt Mulgine strategic development plan is predicated on a small-scale, low-capex model for the production of tungsten concentrate. The opportunity to acquire the Tabba plant will enable Tungsten Mining to rapidly progress to project implementation, delivering a genuine competitive advantage,” said CEO Craig Ferrier.