Prefeasibility of new Pilbara iron-ore project by July

(miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Brockman Resources on Friday reported that...

(miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Brockman Resources on Friday reported that the prefeasibility study (PFS) for its Marillana iron-ore project, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, was likely to be complete by July this year.In its quarterly report for the period ending March 31, Brockman stated that its activities were now focused on the attainment and correlation of information for the final environmental impact assessment, final heritage clearance for site layout plans, hydrogeological surveying, and the finalisation of flora and fauna studies.“Drilling rigs are forecast to restart on site in early June, to complete further infill drilling programmes, required to support the resource, reserve requirements of a definitive feasibility study,” the company said in a statement.A preliminary metallurgical testwork programme has allowed the establishment of the process plant design criteria and mine development planning, which were key inputs into the PFS. However, further definitive metallurgical testwork would be undertaken to provide additional design data and confirmation of ore characteristics, to support the criteria set for the PFS.The preliminary mine pit modelling would be completed during April, and would provide the basis for establishing the total material movements for ore and waste material.A site layout incorporating all physical elements of the project has been completed, based on the preliminary mine pit modelling. This layout includes the proposed life-of-mine pit shell, waste dumps, tailings storage facilities, and all the required mine site infrastructure.Meanwhile, Brockman reported a substantial upgrade in the indicated mineral resource for the Marillana project, during the quarter under review.The total indicated mineral resource has now increased to 605-milion tons, comprising 551-million tons of beneficiation feed hematite detrital mineralisation and 54,2-milion tons of direct shipping ore mineralisation.This represented a 74% increase on the previously announced indicated mineral resource of 347-million tons.Brockman stated that more than 40% of the total resource base was now classified as indicated, providing a strong foundation of resources at the higher rate of joint ore reserves committee confidence level, to underpin the development of the Mrillana project.