Drilling campaign under way at Metallica’s Urquhart project

<p>A key mine plan drilling campaign is under way at ASX-listed bauxite developer Metallica Minerals&rsquo; Urquhart bauxite project, near Weipa, in north Queensland, to assist with the company&rsquo;s final planning for a 2017 mine start.<br /><br />Metallica noted on Thursday, August 11, that the results of the drilling campaign would be used as part of the project&rsquo;s prefeasibility study (PFS), which is due for completion in eight to ten weeks.<br /><br />The PFS is expected to confirm the results of a previously completed options study undertaken internally by Metallica early this year to progress the project as a new Cape York direct-shipping bauxite mine and export operation.<br /><br />Results from the programme will also be used to upgrade the project&rsquo;s current bauxite Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant inferred resource.<br />The drilling campaign is expected to be complete in two weeks and will see drill spacing down to 80 m in some areas.<br /><br />&ldquo;The new drill programme will deliver closed-spaced drilling results to assist detailed mine planning at Urquhart bauxite project for the planned commencement of operations in the first half of 2017.<br /><br />&ldquo;Metallica remains bullish that this project will deliver significant shareholder value and is looking forward to sharing the results of the PFS as soon as they are available,&rdquo; said Metallica CEO Simon Slesarewich.</p>