PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mineral sands miner Sheffield Resources has struck a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with ASX-listed Woodside Energy and Energy Developments (EDL) at is Thunderbird project, in Western Australia.
The 15-year supply agreement will see Woodside and EDL deliver 1 950 TJ/y of LNG to the Thunderbird project.
The LNG will be supplied from Woodside’s Pluto LNG truck loading facility near Karratha and transported to the Thunderbird LNG storage facility by a newly formed joint venture (JV) between Woodside and EDL. The JV will own and operate a purpose-built road tanker fleet to deliver the LNG to Thunderbird.
“We are extremely pleased with the level of support shown by Woodside and EDL in delivering a low cost, long-term energy solution for Thunderbird,” said Sheffield MD Bruce McFadzean.
“The project is now fully permitted and construction-ready, with offtake and financing agreements in place. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Woodside and EDL as we move towards development during 2019.”
The Stage 1 Thunderbird development is expected to cost some A$463-million to develop, and over its 42-year mine life, Thunderbird is expected to deliver 76 100 t/y of premium zircon, 68 500 t/y of zircon concentrate, 387 800 t/y of ilmenite and 229 800 t/y of titano-magnetite.