The first cargo of magnetite from the Peko Rehabilitation Project is set to leave Darwin Port this week, signalling a substantial boost in the Territory’s economy and mining sector.
The Peko Rehabilitation Project, located 14 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, was granted the go-ahead last year to begin progressive rehabilitation work in accordance with its approved Mining Management Plan.
Managing Director Elmore David Mendelawitz said every bulk producer celebrates the arrival of the first ore on a ship.
“To complete the highly visible milestone of a ship leaving, there have been thousands of smaller milestones achieved, and countless tough moments. With the first ship on the way, we look forward to continuing to do everything we can to become a strong operation that can positively commit to the community and economy of the Territory,” Mendelawitz stated.
The project allows for the processing of approximately 3.75 million tonnes of tailings to generate pure magnetite, a kind of iron.
The rehabilitation work attempts to remove this product from the site for a commercial purpose while lowering the onsite tailings footprint.
The leftover non-magnetic polymetallic product will be stored in existing tailings facilities for future treatment.
Since 2009, the Peko Rehabilitation Project has been running under a care and maintenance program.
This is also a significant step in Peko’s mine care and maintenance rehabilitation program, with the permitted activity reducing the volume of current tailings contained onsite by almost 70 per cent.
Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said the project is a huge vote of confidence in our minerals industry and the economy as they move towards a $40 billion economy by 2030.
“Mining is a huge job creator for Territorians – employing over 5900 people directly and many thousands more indirectly. The Peko Rehabilitation Project is seeing the rehabilitation the site in an environmentally safe and responsible manner, while also delivering a commercial return,” Minister Manison stated.
