GWR Group gets mining approvals, iron ore mining cleared to start
Latest approvals pave the way for commercial mining to begin at GWR Group’s Wiluna West DSO iron ore project.
GWR Group (ASX: GWR) has received approval for its mining plan and other permits at the C4 deposit within its Wiluna West iron ore project.
The approvals pave the way for the start-up of mining at the C4 stage one project.
GWR describes the Wiluna West iron ore project as an “exceptional” development that will produce a high-grade, low impurity iron ore as demonstrated during metallurgical tests.
Wiluna West has a JORC resource of 131.1 million tonnes at 60% iron.
The measured resource stands at 10.1Mt at 62.5% iron, the indicated resource with 72Mt at 59.9%, and an inferred resource of 48.8Mt at 59.4%.
Western Australia’s Department of Mines Energy and Safety (DMIRS) has approved the mining proposal, clearing permits, mine closure plan and project management plan for the C4 project. This includes construction of a haul road to the Goldfields Highway.
GWR has also come through a review by the Federal Department of Agriculture Environment and Water in regard to the Mallee Fowl, birds that are ground-dwelling and described as shy. GWR says the department has determined that C4 does not require further assessment.
Meanwhile, expressions of interest in the project have been received from potential mining, crushing and trucking contractors.
Advanced direct-shipping ore at a time of high iron ore prices
The Wiluna West Iron ore project is an advanced, direct-shipping ore (DSO) hematite project with approvals in place to allow future development.
GWR plans to mine at the rate of 7Mt per year over an initial 10-year mine life.
Chairman Gary Lyons said these latest approvals represent a significant milestone in the progress to commercial iron ore production.
“Current strong iron ore prices provide a unique opportunity for the company and the Wiluna West iron ore project,” he added.
The C4 deposit is 1.4km long with widths of up to 120m of DSO hematite.
The stage one project will target 500m strike length of outcropping DSO mineralisation within the C4 deposit.
GWR has been in talks with the Port of Geraldton and continues to investigate access to the Port of Esperance.
GWR, in addition, has its the Wiluna West gold project that hosts a JORC resource of 3.478Mt at 2.3 grams per tonne for an estimated 258,000oz.
In the Northern Territory, GWR has acquired 100% of the brownfields Hatches Creek tungsten project, at which recent sampling has highlighted the asset’s polymetallic potential.