Mine complete ahead of schedule

Construction work on the Tutunup South mineral sands project has been completed ahead of schedule, with the mine site now operating at full production.

Environmental approvals for the site were received in July last year, with Iluka Resources Limited estimating a start to production in mid-2011.

South West operations manager Garry Green said the building phase was completed a month early and under budget with the site commissioned on June 9.

“The project cost an estimated $35 million and resulted in 150 direct and contact employees involved in the construction phase,” Mr Green said.

The 200ha site, located off the Vasse Highway, was expected to supply about 140,000 tonnes of highquality ilmenite feed to the North Capel processing plant annually.

The mine operates 24 hours a day and has created about 50 full-time positions with the majority of employees sourced locally, Mr Green said.

“This has been very positive from a community perspective with the number of job creations,” he said.

Mr Green said the Busselton Shire Council had been “very helpful” during the construction phase, assisting with the widening and realigning of existing roads.