SURFACE

Appetite for apatite

COMMISSIONING is progressing largely in line with expectations at the Goondicum ilmenite and apatite mine in Central Queensland.

 The Goondicum plant

The Goondicum plant

Melior Resources told the Australian Securities Exchange that 1777 tonnes of ilmenite was produced in November, which was 271% more than it budgeted for.

It had expected to produce 478t.

On-site at Goondicum operations moved to a permanent 24-hour, seven day a week roster in the last week of November and there were no lost time incidents recorded in the period.

Melior will start hauling ilmenite to port in the New Year.

The first shipment is scheduled to set sail in 2019's first quarter.

Melior has been more focused on optimising production of the higher value ilmenite than on apatite, with apatite production of 48t just 30% of the budget.

The company will pay more attention to apatite however, it claims, throughout the commissioning period.

Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral.

The name is derived from a Greek verb that means "to deceive", which is a reference to the fact apatite had over time seemingly misled mineralogists in its identification.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalogue of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.