Bankable feasibility study for
Corridor Sands
A bankable feasibility study (BFS) on the huge mineral-sands deposit
near Chibuto, 200 km north of Maputo, Mozambique, has been completed
for Corridor Sands Limitada.
The BFS detailed a project
to recover the mineral sands and produce final products, which will
be marketed mainly to the pigment industry. The first phase would cost
US$500M to produce 375 000 t/yr of titanium dioxide slag and 185 000
t/yr pig iron.
In compiling the BFS, attention was given to the mining
operation and the establishment of a suitable process facility, comprising
a primary concentration plant, mineral separation plant, roaster, furnaces
and slag- and pig-iron processing circuits. During the BFS, a pilot
plant was operated on site to provide samples and data to assist with
the design of the full-scale plant, and market acceptance of the products.
Thorough geotechnical drilling and metallurgical test work was also
carried out. A significant portion of the cost of a future project at
Corridor Sands would go towards establishing plant infrastructure. A
200 km power line would be required, as well as a 65 km road link to
a dedicated export terminal north of Xai Xai.
BATEMAN’s involvement in Corridor Sands commenced
in 1997 with a pre-feasibility study for Southern Mining Corporation.
Encouraging results led to the BFS, sponsored by WMC Resources Ltd of
Australia and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa,
which started in September 2001 and was completed successfully in June
2002, with BATEMAN’s share of the total study cost being R20M.
WMC Resources has now taken full ownership of Corridor
Sands by buying out Southern Mining’s share of the Project.
For further information, please contact Tollie
Nel, General Manager, Industrial Minerals, on +27-11-899-2124 or
Email: industrial.minerals@batemanengineering.com
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