SAT gives Matilda green light at Keysbrook

Matilda Zircon says it will begin production next year at its Keysbrook mineral sands project in the south west after securing final approval from the State Administrative Tribunal.

The SAT order include planning approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission, a nd development approvals and licences from the Shire of Murray and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

Matilda said the orders provide for an eight-year mine life commencing from March 15, while the approvals will lapse if the development is not commenced within three years.

The Perth-based explorer says it plans to commence construction later this year with first production scheduled for the second half of 2013.

“Effectively the approvals provide for mining and processing operations for approximately 6.5 years following the completion of construction,” the company said in a statement.

“At the appropriate time the company will seek extensions of these approvals to correspond with the currently planned mine life of eight-plus years and any further increases to the project's life through increases in the mineable resources.”

Matilda said it was now able to progress various other licences, permits and approvals that have been on hold pending the shire development approvals.

At close of trade today, Matilda stocks were up 4.1 per cent, trading at 2.5 cents.