King Island Scheelite Completes Updated Feasibility Study
THE BOURSE WHISPERER: King Island Scheelite (ASX: KIS) released results of an updated Feasibility Study and Revised Mineral Reserve Estimate for the redevelopment of the company’s 100 per cent-owned Dolphin tungsten project in King Island, Tasmania.
The probable reserves, in accordance with JORC 2012 code, have estimated to be 3 million tonnes at 0.73 per cent tungsten oxide WO3 (Cut‐off 0.2%).
King Island Scheelite reported the study outlined the Dolphin Open‐cut project is planned to mine and process approximately 400,000 tonnes per annum of ore for eight years to produce approximately 3,500 tonnes of tungsten concentrate per year.
This concentrate will be sold into a market the company expects to be of growing demand and constrained supply.
The Dolphin processing plant has been substantially modified since a Reserve Estimation carried out in 2015.
Processing will now be conducted through, primarily, a gravity circuit followed by a small flotation circuit to which some of the gravity tails will report.
The company has carried out further site infrastructure engineering works, resulting in capital and operating cost savings from the previous estimation.
King Island indicated its relatively advanced engineering studies and proposed methodology based on a modular design, has allowed its engineering consultants to determine that detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning could be achieved within a fifteen‐month period after financial close.
The company is confident that once financial close has been reached, commissioning of the mine and processing plant can be achieved within the stated fifteen month period, meaning that should financial close can be achieved in the second half of 2019 then first shipment of product could be achieved in the first quarter of 2021.
“Having recently secured the first of a number of multi‐year offtake agreements, together with the flexibility in the operating site and supportive local community, we now look forward to achieving frequent operational milestones as we proceed to tungsten production, anticipated in 2021,” King Island Scheelite chairman Johann Jacobs said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
“The King Island Scheelite team has actively progressed and de‐risked the 100 per cent-owned Dolphin tungsten project, both technically and commercially.
“As part of this process, we commissioned independent consultants to provide inputs into a financial model to prepare scenario analysis to assist in interpreting the net present value ranges, potential returns and expected payback period, associated with the Dolphin open‐cut project.
“The impressive indicative economics reiterate that we have chosen to develop the right project with the right commodity in the right place and time.”
Website: www.kingislandscheelite.com.au
