Aviva has proposed a project output of 2 million tonnes of iron and 200MW of power. The study will investigate the initial 0.5 million tonnes per annum ironmaking unit, 50MW of cogeneration and 600,000tpa of coal production.

Consultancy McElroy Bryan will be in charge of resource upgrade incorporating additional drill holes. Minserve will conduct the mining, coal handling and preparation study and URS will conduct geotechnical investigations and environmental base line studies.

Midrex Technologies and Promet Engineering will carry out the ironmaking test work and engineering, Parsons Brinkerhoff will be in charge of the cogeneration scoping study and Maunsell will handle the transport logistics and services.

Aviva said resource sampling and coal analysis for the study was almost complete and many of the activities had commenced.

Aviva said the pre-feasibility study would be completed for $A1.3 million in the first quarter next year.