Mineral Commodities (ASX:MRC) issues update on Inland Strands ore processing - Kalkine Media

Highlights

• Mineral Commodities (ASX:MRC) has reported the commissioning and optimisation of Mineral Sands Resources’ complete processing circuit for heavy mineral concentrate stock production.
• The commercial production of ilmenite, garnet and non-magnetic (zircon and rutile) saleable concentrate products is operating at theoretical production and historical recovery rates.
• The update marks successful finish ahead of schedule from commencement of Inland Strands ore processing earlier this month.  

ASX-listed global mining and development company Mineral Commodities Limited (ASX:MRC) has announced the commissioning and optimisation of the complete processing circuit of Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd (MSR) to produce heavy mineral concentrate stocks for processing Inland Strands ore.

Also, the commercial production of ilmenite, garnet and non-magnetic (zircon and rutile) saleable concentrate products is operating at theoretical production and historical recovery rates, while optimisation is in progress.

MSR is the company’s 50% owned subsidiary.

Significant updates for Inland Strands ore

According to the company release, plant upgrades are delivering as per expectations. The front end crushing and scrubbing circuit is also delivering quality feed to the Primary Concentration Plant (PCP). Also, the new backend tailings Flocculant and Thickener Plants is delivering as per its potential and according to approval specifications.

As of now, the Primary Concentration Plant has delivered good performance on Inland Strands ore, with throughput at 150-160tph. This falls in line with theoretical capacity, and at historical plant recoveries.

Talking about the company’s Secondary Concentration Plant (SCP), MRC has stated in the ASX release that SCP is performing well on the ore too, with plant throughput of 90tph. This is meeting expectations, with historical plant recoveries.

Commercial production at Inland Strands
As per the company the commercial production at the ore is a crucial development in allowing Tormin to achieve historical profitability (Tormin produced an average EBITDA of US$16M from 2015  to 2021) and boosting cash flow generation.

With the full commissioning of the Inland Strands ore plant upgrade, MRC will focus on the design and construction of the Third PCP (PCP-3) aiming higher production capacity of 3.9Mtpa by December quarter of the ongoing year 2023. The company has been able to secure funding for PCP-3 through the recent Rights Issue.

MRC’s shares traded at AU$0.057 apiece on 31 March 2023.