Van Dieman Mines announced this week that it had obtained final approval for the development of its Scotia Mine, one of several projects it controls in northern Tasmania.
Managing Director Clive Trist commented: "The delay in proceeding has been aggravated severely by the bureaucratic process. We are pleased and relieved finally to have been granted formal approval and we are now in a position to develop the mine site and commence operations."
The alluvial mine, which will produce tin and sapphires, was originally due to start up in 2006, but is now unlikely to begin production until next year. In 2005 Van Dieman signed a long-term offtake agreement with Thaisarco for 1,350 – 1,500 tpy of tin-in-concentrates. It has only recently concluded marketing arrangements for its sapphires.
