Strandline Resources completes seventh shipment of HMC

Strandline Resources (ASX:STA) has completed a seventh shipment of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) and begun the next commissioning campaign of the downstream mineral separation plant (MSP) at the Coburn project in WA.

The MSP is designed to separate the HMC into valuable critical minerals of zircon and titanium as well as a zircon in concentrate product containing monazite rare earths.

The beginning of the campaign follows successful refinements made to the MSP dust extraction system and several other circuits throughout June 2023.

These refinements are already showing improved mineral separation efficiencies and they enable further commissioning of the downstream circuits.

Chloride ilmenite product is already consistently being produced and stockpiled with the focus now transitioning to the premium zircon and rutile final product streams.

This seventh shipment was for around 7800t and was valued at $9.1m. It was originally scheduled for June but was delayed by the shipping carrier for reasons outside of Strandline’s control.

Since commencing commercial production on November 18, 2022, Strandline has exported a total of 65,000t of HMC.

Total shipments have generated revenue of $69m, proving capital for Strandline as it continues to commission and ramp up operations at Coburn.

During June, mining transitioned into the newly developed East Pit B with sand waste (tailings) being deposited into previously mined East Pit A as part of the mine backfill and rehabilitation process.

Primarily due to low availability of the Dozer mining units and mining plant and equipment, production rates continued to be constrained during the month.

These availability issues are being managed with the respective contracting partners with plans in place to resolve.

As part of the production ramp up process, the key focus remains on improving equipment and plant availability, enhancing mine and tails deposition planning and increasing mineral recoveries in final product streams at the MSP.

While the commissioning of the MSP progresses, Strandline expects to continue shipping HMC or zircon in concentrate product at a rate of one shipment per month (pending ship charter availability).