Magnetic maps

A MINERAL sands company using an adapted magnetic mapping technique may have discovered a significant extension to the Eneabba heavy mineral field.

A Magnetic Minerals drilling program near Dongara has indicated substantial ore grade mineralisation over 23 kilometres, with a reported drill hole accuracy of over 80 per cent.

The results have prompted Magnetic to fast-track a feasibility study, leading to an expected upgrade of its 78 million tonne resource by the end of July.

Magnetic managing director George Sakalidis said the area of ore grade mineralisation could be as much as three times the company’s current resource.

Forty per cent of world rutile and zircon production comes from Western Australia, most of that out of the Eneabba region.

Magnetic owns 14 licences, covering 2,000 square kilometres in this region.