Zeehan tin mine hopes for 2019 SEAN FORD 19 Apr 2017, 10:05 a.m....

Zeehan tin mine hopes for 2019

SEAN FORD
19 Apr 2017, 10:05 a.m.
A new tin mine at Zeehan would start producing in mid-2019 in a best-case scenario.
Stellar Resources Limited’s Heemskirk project might eventually join West Coast “neighbour” Renison; both in the global tin market and as a key economic driver on the West Coast.

Renison
The two sites are 18 kilometres apart.
Heemskirk had the potential to be “another Renison tin system with significant exploration upside,” Stellar said in an investor presentation for the Mines and Money Asia conference in Hong Kong in early April.
It said it was poised to start a definitive feasibility study for the Heemskirk project, based on a fast start approach.
The first stage of a drilling program was scheduled to start in April.
A development proposal and environmental management plan necessary for approvals was expected within 12 months.
Melbourne-headquartered Stellar’s timeline under the scenario had mine construction starting in the last quarter of 2018, with tin production from the June quarter of 2019.
It said the drilling program was expected to take six months, and would be done by a Tasmanian company after a competitive tendering process.
“Timing of the commencement of drilling at Heemskirk could not be better,” Stellar managing director Peter Blight said.
“Diamond drilling rates are extremely competitive, the tin price is in the early stage of recovery and Heemskirk will be one of the few tin projects generating strong news flow from drilling.
“The full 9000 metre diamond drilling program will generate news over the next 12 months and will target higher grade zones and structures that have the potential to upgrade the mineral resource.”
Stellar’s conference presentation said the tin market had bottomed and there would be a market deficit of tin for some years.
It said its project’s high grade and “locational advantages” would provide competitive costs.