Speakers at ITRI’s Asia Tin Week in Kunming outlined recent successes and plans at the Heemskirk and Cleveland tin projects, both located in Tasmania.
Stellar Resources Managing Director, Peter Blight, outlined how the Heemskirk tin project passed a key milestone in early 2017 following the grant of a 12-year mining license. The company is currently pursuing a fast-start strategy, first outlined in September 2016, with the project’s three main underground deposits, Queen Hill, Severn and Montana to be developed in that order. The company is now carrying out a significant drilling campaign to update the existing Mineral Resource and to further progress towards completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the project, anticipated by mid-2018. First production is currently targeted by mid-2019.
Meanwhile, Elementos Executive Director Chris Dunks explained how a similar low-cost, quick-start strategy, is being pursued for development of the Cleveland tin project. The company is also carrying out a drilling programme in 2017 to define additional resources by targeting shallow exploration targets that have been identified. The company is also continuing metallurgical work and plans to lodge a revised Mine Lease application this year. The company also plans to carry out a DFS for development of an enlarged open pit at the site. First production is targeted by late-2019.
ITRI View: Tasmania is a hotspot for tin project development; with the operating Renison Bell tin mine a strong example of the tin production potential of the region. The “Rentails” tailing project at Renison is another potential source of future production, with a DFS completed earlier this year. The Granville tin project in Tasmania also commenced tin production at a low level in mid-2016 and has plans to gradually ramp-up production in the future
