TNG Limited’s (ASX: TNG) contractor Clough has completed the updated integrated design layout for the proposed Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron ore mining and downstream processing operation in the Northern Territory.
Clough has collaborated with TNG’s in-house team to complete the integrated design for a single mining and processing operation at the Mount Peake project site about 235km northwest of Alice Springs.
The integrated layout comprises the beneficiation plant, TIVAN processing facility and utilities which will all be located on the mining lease at Mount Peake.
Under the new design, the integrated operation will be adjacent to the western boundary of the mining areas, which cover 1,460 hectares.
According to TNG, its mining lease at Mount Peake is capable of hosting a fully-integrated operation including mining, waste, beneficiation plant, TIVAN facility and non-process infrastructure.
The new design is based on the deliverables SMS completed in the front-end engineering and design study.
TNG managing director and chief executive officer Paul Burton said Clough had delivered a “significant amount of work in a short space of time”.
“Shareholders can see how the new fully-integrated project will look in an impressive 3D fly-through available on our website,” he added.
Advantages of integrated operation
After a thorough review, TNG made the decision in late September to pursue an integrated operation at the Mount Peake mine site as opposed to the initial proposal, which involved establishing the TIVAN plant at an industrial site in Darwin.
TNG noted integrating the TIVAN plant at the project site enables the layout to be unconstrained compared to size and shape requirements at the Darwin location.
Other advantages include an optimised process layout with simplified commissioning at just one location.
It also results in a reduction in construction requirements as well as waste and tailing disposal costs and opening up further port export options.
Next steps
As part of the integrated operation strategy, TNG has now commissioned Clough to optimise outcomes in costs and schedules.
Clough will work with TNG and SMS to also optimise design aspects incorporating civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, engineering, logistics and non-process infrastructure.
It is expected an updated capital cost estimate for the proposed operation will be delivered by May next year.
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