Name and Location
Tabba Tabba tantalum project, Australia.

Client
Pilabara Minerals and Nagrom Metallurgical.

Project Description
A feasibility study completed on the advanced Tabba Tabba tantalum project, located 84 km by road from Port Hedland, in Western Australia, has demonstrated robust project viability through low capital and mining costs.

The project has a total Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant mineral reserve of 133 000 t at 1 290 ppm tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅).

The study has defined an initial mine life of 19 months, producing an estimated 365 000 lb of Ta₂O5, within a minimum 5% Ta2O5 concentrate. Mining will consist of drill and blast, excavator and dump truck haulage, comprising one 90 t excavator for ore and waste, two 85 t dump trucks and one drill machine for drill and blast.

The feasibility study proposes mining and processing 118 000 t/y of ore from an opencut single pit at the Tabba Tabba project.

The process plant will be a conventional gravity circuit. The proposed flowsheet will incorporate the processing of ultrafines for further enhancement of overall Ta₂O₅ recoveries.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
The prestart-up capital cost is estimated at A$3.9 million, of which an estimated A$1.5 million has been spent to date.

Duration
Full production is scheduled to begin on November 16.

Latest Developments
Mining and crushing activities have started at the Tabba Tabba tantalum project, with wet commissioning expected in early November.

Meanwhile, Pilbara technical director John Young has indicated that preparations for the start of commercial production at Tabba Tabba are progressing well, with all major items on track for the start of wet commissioning by early November.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Pilbara Minerals, tel +61 2 8252 9223 or fax +61 2 9475 5435.
Nagrom Metallurgical, tel +61 8 9399 3934 or fax +61 8 9497 1415.