The Northam Iron Ore project is now in its exploration phase with initial drilling taking place at six sites.
Perth-based private company Northam Iron is currently developing the project which is in its first stage of works.
Northam Iron’s project development schedule covers four stages; exploration, feasibility studies and detailed design, construction, and operations.
The company is currently undertaking exploration activities and are conducting a range of technical, environmental and community studies to determine the best way to develop the project and maximise opportunities while minimising environmental and community impacts.
The overall Northam Iron Ore project is still in development, but currently it is expected that it will comprise of the mining of iron ore with the processing of the ore to a rate of 5Mtpa to produce a niche product that is known as magnetite sinter.
Northam Iron said the project is expected to provide employment and business opportunities and to strengthen economic growth in the region.
Drilling is currently proposed on privately owned land and the company said they have already met with several landowners and further meetings are scheduled for February.
The exploration program is aimed to gain iron quality and iron processing data and evaluating the viability of future mining.
The initial exploration program will comprise of 900 metres of borehole drilling at six locations to kick start the metallurgical study.
A second drilling program will then be conducted based on the outcome of the test.
Northam Iron said an important part of the assessment process is consultation with the local community.
They have appointed Ray Adams, local resident and former deputy Mayor of the Town of Northam as the community liaison officer of the project.
Explorations are set to be carried out between January and September 2018 followed by environmental and social studies including landholder and community meetings and interviews.
Under the current timeline, if all the stages of the project approval go to plan, the mine will begin construction in mid 2020.
