Name and Location
Pannawonica iron-ore project, Australia.

Client
Red Hill Iron.

Project Description
Pannawonica project, located in Western Australia, comprises the Redgate and Whitegate channel iron-ore deposits.

The project has maiden ore reserves of 29.3-million tonnes grading 54% iron, 4.8% alumina, 0.05% phosphorus and 8.2% silica.

A prefeasibility study (PFS) on the project proposes that a simple direct shipping ore (DSO) product will be produced and that mining will be undertaken using continuous mining equipment on top of dry mesas, with simple processing involving dry ore crushing and screening.

The PFS assumes that the project will rely on sharing third-party infrastructure, including road and port facilities, and that a commercial arrangement will be reached in this respect.

A production rate of four-million tonnes a year is envisaged for an estimated eight-year period, sourced initially from the Whitegate deposit and then from the Redgate deposit.

The proposed openpit mining method for the two deposits will use continuous miners to excavate ore and waste. Mining will be directed at producing an average DSO blend of 54% iron.

The mine plan includes pit designs, waste dumps and low-grade stock pile designs and pit backfilling, where possible.

Value
Capital costs are estimated at $55-million.

Duration
First production is envisaged by 2016.

Latest Developments
Based on the positive results of the PFS, Red Hill plans to start a definitive feasibility study.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Red Hill Iron, tel +61 8 9481 86 27, fax +61 8 9481 8445 or email redhillinfo@redhilliron.com.au.