ILUKA Resources has moved a step closer to approving the $450 million development in South Australia’s far west of one of the world’s major new zircon mines.
About 250 new jobs are expected in the initial construction stage of the Jacinth-Ambrosia mine while 110 full-time jobs are expected during the 10-15 year life of the project.
Iluka Resources has advised that work is well advanced on a definitive feasibility study to develop the Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands project.
The South Australian Government said it looked forward to development of the zircon resource at Jacinth-Ambrosia in the Eucla Basin, pending appropriate approvals.
Iluka expects to submit a development recommendation to the company’s Board for consideration in May.
The Jacinth-Ambrosia deposits contain high quality zircon-rich mineral sands that are about 10 times the global industry average.
Zircon is a hard, glassy mineral used for the manufacture of ceramics and refractories and also in a range of other high-tech industrial and chemical applications.
It is used extensively for ceramic glazes, most commonly applied in kitchen tiles, dinnerware, bathroom products and decorative ceramics.