Metals X has finalised a plan to re-start the Renison Bell mine in Tasmania in combination with the nearby Mt Bischoff mine. In its latest quarterly report the company says that a detailed three year plan for underground mining at Renison and open pit operations at Mt Bischoff has been prepared.
“With both these ore sources, the Renison tin concentrator can operate at full rate and efficiency and it is believed a sustainable mining operation can again be established. The Renison Project (including Mt Bischoff) is expected to generate tin metal at an operating cost of A$8,500 per tonne and working capital requirements to recommence the operations are estimated at A$25 million.”
The main remaining hurdle to start-up is the approval of the environmental management plan for Mt Bischoff by the Tasmanian government.
Metals X also reported that its Collingwood mine in Queensland “performed fairly” in the January-March quarter, although various problems prevented full capacity production. Tin-in-concentrate production amounted to 556 tonnes, down on the previous quarter, although “production should return to full levels in late April 2007 and a strong second half of the ensuing quarter is expected.”
