Kimberley Mineral Sands created history over the weekend with the inaugural export of product from its Thunderbird mineral sands project.
The West Kimberley-based onshore mine, a project worth $484 million, produced its maiden zircon shipment – 300 million tonnes of bagged non-magnetic concentrate – which left Port Hedland bound for China.
KMS told the market it would receive revenue from the shipment later this month.
Zircon is a versatile mineral made up of zirconium silicate. Often it can be found in rocks, albeit in small quantities. Its uses can range from featuring in kitchenware to tiles.
The inaugural shipment comes on the back of a busy few months for KMS, which in October last year processed ore at its flagship facility, ahead of schedule and under budget. It also began clearing at Thunderbird in December, despite challenges in engaging the site's traditional owner group.
KMS chief operating officer Michael Rose said the weekend's shipment could be the start of something special for the company, the first major onshore mine in the West Kimberley region, located between Derby and Broome.
"Products are being prepared for future bagged and bulk shipments from Broome that will commence early this year," he said.
KMS is co-owned by ASX-listed Sheffield Resources and China-based Yansteel, which produces approximately 10 million tonnes of steel products annually.
Sheffield executive chair Bruce Griffin said he was confident of positive product volumes moving forward.
“We wish to congratulate the Kimberley Mineral Sands team and thank our offtake customers for this milestone achievement of first revenue for the Thunderbird mineral sands mine," he said.
"And with KMS production ramp up progressing very well, we look forward to delivering further increased volumes of product to our customers in the coming weeks and months ahead”.
Sheffield shares rose by 4.35 per cent on Monday, closing trade on 60 cents per share.
