PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mineral sands miner Sierra Rutile is progressing the definitive feasibility study (DFS) at Sembehun project, in Sierra Leone, in parallel with a financing process.
Sierra Rutile FD Martin Alciaturi told delegates at Paydirt’s Africa Downunder conference, in Perth, the DFS is targeted for completion by the end of the year, with Sierra Rutile targeting a final investment decision early in 2024.
“Hopefully we can be up and running by late 2026,” Alciaturi told delegates.
The ASX-listed company earlier this year announced that the DFS at Sembehun would be adjusted to assume a full development, rather than a phased approach.
Based on an ore reserve of 174-million tonnes, grading 1.46% rutile for 2.54-million tonnes of contained rutile, Sembehun is expected to produce 176 000 t/y of rutile, 98 000 t/y of ilmenite and 13 000 t/y of zircon over a mine life of years.
Previous studies have estimated that the project would require a capital investment of $337-million, delivering a net present value of $318-million and an internal rate of return of 24%.