Image accelerates Atlas mineral sands project

Image Resources (ASX: IMA) is accelerating construction of its Atlas mineral sands project in WA following receipt of final permitting milestones.

This represents the finalisation of Image’s Ground Water Operating Strategy (“GOS”) and the receipt of 5C water licenses for water abstraction and mine dewatering at Atlas.

Project construction and full-scale operations including achievement of first HMC production in Q1 2025 can now advance.

Initial roadwork and civil construction were facilitated by a temporary 5C water abstraction license. Now civil and infrastructure construction and mine development will accelerate rapidly, clearing the path for relocation and erection of the processing plant from Image’s Boonanarring project.

Construction of the Atlas accommodation camp was successfully completed in September and dismantling of the Boonanarring wet concentration plant was completed in early October with equipment prepared for transport to the Atlas site.

Image Resources anticipates being in full production at Atlas in the half year ending June 30, 2025.

Image Resources managing director and chief executive Patrick Mutz comments on the update.

“Although Atlas is still in the early stages of construction, we are already seeing the same high-quality project delivery that we achieved with the Boonanarring project in 2018,” he said.

“The Atlas mining camp has been completed on-time, on-budget, and, most importantly, without any injuries.

“Our priority remains safety, but we are also looking for opportunities to streamline and shorten a typical six to eight-month construction timeline through efficient planning and execution.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude to all our development team and partnering contractors for their unwavering commitment to the rapid, successful and safe development of the Atlas project.”