Elmore’s Peko Rehabilitation Project will deliver its first ever shipment of magnetite from Darwin Port this week in a milestone for the newly-rehabilitated Northern Territory copper mine.
The Peko Rehabilitation Project, located 14km south-east of Tennant Creek, was given the green light to proceed with progressive rehabilitation works last year, in accordance with Elmore’s approved Mining Management Plan.
The project allows for the processing of around 3.75MT of tailings to produce a purified magnetite product.
Elmore’s Managing Director, David Mendelawitz, said stakeholders had worked hard to deliver on the project milestone.
“The first ore on a ship is a great milestone for every bulk producer. This has been a huge team effort from all of the stakeholders involved,” Mr Mendelawitz said.
“To complete the highly visible milestone of a ship leaving, there have been thousands of smaller milestones achieved, and countless tough moments.
“With the first ship on the way, we look forward to continuing to do everything we can to become a strong operation that can positively commit to the community and economy of the Territory.”
The rehabilitative work aims to remove this product from site for a commercial outcome, while reducing the tailings footprint onsite.
The remaining non-magnetic polymetallic product will be placed into existing tailing storage facilities for potential reprocessing in the future.
The Peko Rehabilitation Project has been operating under a care and maintenance program since 2009.
Northern Territory’s Minister for Mining and Industry, Nicole Manison, said the project delivered on both environmental and economic outcomes for the Territory.
“This is massive news for the Territory and a huge sign of confidence in our minerals sector and economy as we work to achieve a $40 billion economy by 2030,” Ms Manison said.
“Mining is a huge job creator for Territorians – employing over 5,900 people directly and many thousands more indirectly.
“The Peko Rehabilitation Project is seeing the rehabilitation of the site in an environmentally safe and responsible manner, while also delivering a commercial return.”
