Queensland Bauxite aims for early mining at South Johnstone project

Queensland Bauxite is progressing its plans for its South Johnstone DSO Bauxite Project in northern Queensland to begin production of bauxite later this year.

The recently completed drilling program is waiting on drill results to upgrade the current quantity of Indicated Resource and define a Measured Resource, which will allow finalisation of the initial mine plan for the Mineral Development Licence (MDL) Application.

Samples are currently being processed by ALS Laboratory with results to be modelled upon receipt of all assays.

Mine plan, environmental studies and works for the mineral development licence application are on schedule.

Granting of an MDL would enable shipping of bauxite from the South Johnstone Bauxite Project – currently scheduled for Q4 2015 – with the goal of proving the feasibility and viability of the South Johnstone Bauxite Project for the long term.

Sholom Feldman, managing director, commented:

“Now that this stage drilling program is complete, we will shortly report new upgraded resource modelling to JORC standard which facilitates the application for a Mineral Development Licence Application.

“The granting of a MDL is a significant milestone that QBL is looking to achieve. Once we secure this MDL, QBL can commence its first shipping of bauxite, currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, which is an important step towards not only commencement of mining, but also assist in our ongoing marketing and sales efforts of first bauxite to customers, and should serve the purpose of proving the long term viability of bauxite production from the South Johnstone Project.

“The second half of calendar 2015 is an exciting time for QBL with a number of significant developments occurring. South Johnstone is now firmly in the project development phase and we are well placed to deliver increased value to shareholders.”