Stonehenge Metals announced that it was putting its small Heemskirk operation in Tasmania on care and maintenance as a result of operating problems and low prices. In a statement on 5 November the company said: “The commissioning of the Heemskirk treatment plant has been frustrated by ore handling problems, relating to feeding the wet clay ore into the plant. Installation of a new feed bin at the end of October has improved ore handling however the directors believe that further processing is not warranted given the current tin price and economic conditions.”
ITRI also understands that another small Tasmanian alluvial mine owned by Kangaroo Metals has ceased production recently. Trading in Kangaroo Metals shares was suspended by the Australian Stock Exchange at the start of October due to the company’s failure to submit third quarter accounts on time.
Last week Stellar Resources announced that it had temporarily abandoned plans to float a new company, Columbus Metals, which had been formed to carry out exploration work on a large resource, also called Heemskirk, containing an estimated 50,000 tonnes of tin. As previously reported, Metals X is also re-considering the timing and financing of its A$190 million tailings treatment project at the Renison mine. However the company continues to ramp up production at the Renison and Mt Bischoff mines. Van Dieman Mines is also still due to start up its Scotia mine around the turn of the year.
