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Metallic Minerals

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Mt Lyell Mine - Copper Mines of Tasmania

In 2005-06, production from the mine was 30,523t of copper, 17,530oz of gold and 140,403oz of silver, in concentrates. Waste mined totalled 22,455t.

According to Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT), known mine resources at 31 March 2006 were estimated at 15.5mt at 1.41% of copper per/t.

All the concentrate produced by Mt Lyell is exported to India for processing by Sterlite at its Tuticorin smelter in Southern India.

Graph 1: Mt Lyell Mine Production 1997-2006

Mt Lyell Mine Production graph 1997-2006

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Henty Gold Mine - Barrick Gold Corporation

In 2005-06, the production of gold from the Henty mine totalled 85,610oz. In addition 42,999oz of silver was produced. Major exploration efforts were conducted in 2005-06, primarily aimed at finding new resources. However, a concerted attempt was also made to convert existing resources into reserves.

As at December 2004 proved and probable reserves at Henty were about 789,000t at 10.7 g/t of gold.

Graph 2: Henty Mine Production 1997-2006

Henty Mine Production graph 1997-2006

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Beaconsfield Mine - Beaconsfield Mine Joint Venture

In 2005-06, the Beaconsfield mine produced 90,019oz of gold and 11,252oz of silver. The ore reserves reported at 31 March 2006 totalled 881,000t at 15.6 g/t of gold.

Beaconsfield Gold mine is currently closed following a fatal rock-fall in April 2006, it is expected to re-open in the 2nd half of 2007.

Capital expenditure in 2005-06 totalled $4.745 million, a 214.2% increase on the previous year. These reduced figures are a direct result of the rock-fall.

Graph 3: Beaconsfield Mine Production 1997-2006

Beaconsfield Mine Production graph 1997-2006

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Savage River Mine - Stemcor Holdings

The Savage River mine is located 100km south-west of Burnie and produces iron concentrate in slurry form. This material is then pumped to an iron pelletising plant at Port Latta near Stanley on the northwest coast.

Over half of the production from Port Latta is shipped to Port Kembla for steel manufacturing. The remainder is exported overseas, primarily South Korea and China.

In 2005-06, production at Port Latta totalled 2,164,480t of pellets and 58,343t of concentrates, with 15,064t of pellets being stockpiled. Production of concentrator was 5,242,967t of crushed ore, 5,154,769t of milled ore (wet) and 2,155,739t of concentrate produced for pumping via the pipeline to Port Latta.

The export value of iron ore and concentrates from Tasmania increased by 45.1% to $85.2 million between 2004-05 and 2005-06. This is the result of increase in both iron ore prices and export volume.

In 2005-06, the value of iron ore and concentrate exports to China was $55.11 million up 42.9% from the previous year.

Resources at June 2005 totalled 245.6mt @ 49.0% recoverable magnetite.

Graph 4: Savage River Mine Production 1997-2006

Savage River Mine Production graph 1997-2006

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Rosebery Mine

Mining at Rosebery has been undertaken almost continuously since 1894. The primary function of this mine is to supply raw materials to Zinifex's smelter at Risdon (see Mineral Processing). Rosebery produces zinc, lead, copper concentrates (exported to Japan), gold, silver and iron.

Graph 5: Rosebery Mine Production 1997-2006

Zinifex Rosebery mine lead and zinc production graph 1997-2006

Note: includes milling of ores from the small Hercules mine near Rosebery.

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Renison Bell - Metals X

In October 2005, the Bluestone Tin Mine (now Metals X Limited) stopped production due to falling tin prices. The operation was placed under care and maintenance. For a brief period in 2004-05 the Renison tine mine resumed production with tin sales of around $7 million.

Estimated reserves at 31 March 2006 were 24.8mt at 0,76% Sn, containing 187,942t of tin.

Capital expenditure for the 2005-06 financial year was $6.2 million which included plant and equipment, Renison mine development, Rentails feasibility test work and Mt Bischoff pre-development.

Tasmania Mines NL

Tasmania Mines operates an open cut mine and processing plant at Kara, southeast of Hampshire in north-west Tasmania, producing magnetite and scheelite.

Production for 2005-06 was 65,372t of magnetite concentrate and 13t of scheelite. Probable ore reserves for 2005-06 were 559,200t total of fresh magnetite bearing ore at 30% Fe and 560,000t of oxidised magnetite bearing ore at 30% Fe.

A Marcy ball mill was installed into the processing operation during the financial year, which is expected to lift production to approximately 200,000t pa.

Capital expenditure during 2005-06 was $400,000 and employment was 17 people including management and operations (and up to 20 contractors).

Graph 6: Tasmania Mines Production 1997-2006

Tasmania Mines Production graph 1997-2006

Note: Data not available for some years

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Reviews 1997-98 to 2005-06

Avebury - Allegiance Metals

Allegiance has identified a resource of 12.8 mt at 1.03% Ni on its Avebury project 6km west of Zeehan on the West Coast of Tasmania. Access and infrastructure construction began on this site in January 2004.

Work has been completed on the Viking decline, investigation and planning and a feasibility study, with Allegiance having spent approximately $20 million on the Avebury project since 1996.

Hellyer - Intec Hellyer Metals

Intec Limited has formed a joint venture with Polymetals Pty Ltd to produce bulk zinc, lead and silver from the Hellyer mine. A former underground mine, the venture will recover metals from the Hellyer tailings which are found in the 55 hectare tailings dam, with more than $3.5 billion of zinc, lead, silver, copper and gold available.

For further information see the major companies section of this website