PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mineral sands developer Sheffield Resources has signed a port access agreement with the Shire of Derby-West Kimberly, allowing the company access to a bulk handling facility and infrastructure at the Port of Derby.
Sheffield is hoping to export its mineral sands project from the Thunderbird mineral sands project through the Port of Derby to markets around the world.
“The execution of this port access agreement is a key milestone for Sheffield as we move a step closer to developing the Thunderbird mineral sands project,” Sheffield MD Bruce McFadzean said on Wednesday.
“The port facility will provide employment and contract opportunities for the people of Derby as we move Thunderbird towards construction and into production."
The port access agreement spans a minimum of 20 years of planned production from Thunderbird, and would allow Sheffield to export ilmenite, zircon concentrate and titano-magnetite from the Thunderbird operation.
Over its 42-year mine life, Thunderbird is expected to deliver some 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.