Matilda Zircon has appointed MSP Engineering as its front end engineering and design (FEED) contractor for its Keysbrook mineral sands project south of Perth.
The company expects the FEED work to be completed by the end of the September quarter, and coupled with a feasibility study, will pave the way for Matilda to secure project financing to begin production late next year.
The feasibility is well advanced, with final results expected by the end of the September quarter also.
The project’s development schedule remains on track to commence early procurement in late 2012, site construction in early 2013 and production in late 2013
“This is an important stage in the development process and is required to refine the project capital, operating cost estimates and project operating parameters prior to project financing,” Matilda chief executive Trevor Matthews said.
“These steps also need to be completed prior to the commencement of early procurement activities later this year and ahead of site construction work in 2013.”
At close of trade today, Matilda stocks had gained 4.7 per cent, at 2.2 cents.