Australia’s next rare earths producer, Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) today announced that personnel and equipment have mobilised to the Yangibana rare earths project site, in the Gascoyne region of WA, in readiness for early infrastructure and earthworks activities.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hastings has mobilised personnel and equipment to the Yangibana project site to commence early works on selected infrastructure.
- Focus over this first period of construction is:
- Access roads connecting the Mine Site to the public Shire roads;
- A 2,000m long airstrip capable of accommodating aircraft up to 50 seat capacity;
- A 300-bed accommodation village;
- A multi-tower communications microwave link to connect the site to the public network;
- Water reticulation from the borefield to the processing plant; and
- Ongoing geotechnical activities.
- Works form part of a circa $20M package of work for site surface infrastructure prior to commencement of plant construction and mine development.
Infrastructure works that are to commence at Yangibana include the following:
- Site clearing and roadworks – Initial works will focus on various site and access roadworks, topsoil clearing and storage, and ground preparation at the permanent village site.
- Airstrip – earthworks to construct a 2,000m unsealed airstrip in close proximity to the village, capable of accommodating 50-seat aircraft.
- Permanent village construction – design and Installation of a 300-person village, utilising previously procured and re-located buildings already onsite.
- Communications link – dual band, 5 hop microwave link using new and existing 60m towers from site to the north-west highway interconnection to existing public network.
- Water supply from the borefield – connecting already installed bores, drilling new bores, equipping these with pumps, and constructing pipelines / transfer stations to complete the distribution system to the village and process plant.
The early works program is being conducted to support the project scope contained within the previously announced definitive feasibility study (“DFS”). Such a major infrastructure development program at this time has been made possible by a combination of Hasting’s strong availability of equity funds and good progress being made with respect to the project financing debt process.
Charles Lew, Hastings Technology Metals’ Executive Chairman, said:
“Following the highly successful equity raising in February and underpinned by the good progress we are making to secure debt financing, Hastings has had the confidence to commence early infrastructure works at Yangibana.
“The scope of these initial works is being carried out by the Hastings team, a credit to the calibre and experience we have built into our team over the past six months. Getting an early start will allow Hastings to manage the overall timetable to production of our first mixed rare earths concentrate, which contains high levels of neodymium and praseodymium.
“We look forward to updating shareholders as Yangibana takes shape.”
