McCalls (including Mindarra Springs)
Mineral Resources
5.8 Billion Tonnes at 1.4% HM
4.7% Zircon, 2.4% Rutile,
3.1% Leucoxene, 79% Ilmenite
Location
100km north east of Perth
Expected Mine Life
Potential for one or more multi-decade operations
Massive Mineral Resource with multi-decade potential.
In March 2022, the Company completed the strategic acquisition of the McCalls Mineral Sands Project from Sheffield Resources Limited. The McCalls project is comprised of two separate deposits; McCalls and Mindarra Springs, with Mindarra Springs located 10km northeast of Image’s Boonanarring project.
Mineral Resources
Total Mineral Resources reported for the McCalls project is 5.8 billion tonnes at 1.4% total heavy minerals (THM) containing 84 million tonnes of heavy minerals. Other positive attributes of the Mineral Resources include 90% valuable heavy minerals in the THM, and a THM mineral assemblage consisting of 82.5% high-quality ilmenite plus leucoxene averaging 63% TiO2.
Preliminary ilmenite characterisation studies by Sheffield’s consultants produced concentrates containing between 59% and 66% TiO2, indicating suitability for chloride route processing or as a feedstock for synthetic rutile production. The studies also demonstrated that mineralisation in the deposit has properties well suited to conventional mineral sands processing methods for the recovery of heavy minerals.
While the overall grades are low, the thickness, areal extent, continuous nature and low stripping ratios of both the McCalls and Mindarra Springs deposits are such that non-selective bulk mining methods can be considered. Potential mining methods being considered include hydraulic mining methods utilising water cannons and slurry sumps, and potentially dredge mining, albeit with relatively high slimes content.
The company is actively pursuing concept studies for the development of the McCalls project and targeting potential mine-life of 50+ years.
