CZR Resources has been cleared to fast-track drilling at the northern extension of its Robe Mesa iron ore project in WA’s Pilbara region after receiving heritage approval that it hopes will allow the company to expand its strike length to 1.6km.
The Robe Mesa project is a joint venture, CZR holding 85 per cent and 15 per cent held independently by ZanF.
The deposit forms part of CZR’s Yarraloola iron ore project, 120km south-west of Karratha.
Heritage clearance allows the company to drill a previously unexplored area that sits outside and immediately along along strike to the north of Robe Mesa’s current 37.5 million-tonne mineral resource.
Earlier this month CZR increased the deposit’s mineral resource by more than 50 per cent whilst maintaining an iron ore grade of 56 per cent. The updated resource rose from 24.7Mt to 37.5Mt and reflects the strong assay results reported in March that revealed extensive direct-shipping iron ore outside the prefeasibility study.
CZR says now field activities have resumed after significant rainfall last month, the company’s expansion into the approved northern extension can proceed.
The explorer is also advancing its definitive feasibility study with the aim of increasing mine life, in addition to raising the projected production rate to 3Mt a year.
CZR Resources Managing Director, Stefan Murphy said: “By working in close collaboration with the traditional owners, we are well-positioned to continue growing the Robe Mesa project, increasing its mine life and forecast production rate to benefit all stakeholders.”
The company will proceed with planned RC drilling at the southern end of the Robe Mesa deposit aiming to upgrade its lower channel iron deposit classification from inferred to indicated, ahead of an ore reserve update.
The area was not included in the company’s prefeasibility study and along with the latest approved extension is considered central to its growth strategy.
The Robe Mesa deposit sits within the prolific Robe Valley, that also hosts the Robe River joint venture between Rio Tinto, Mitsui and Nippon Steel that has been mining the channel iron deposits since the 1970s.
CZR says there has been increased activity along Robe Mesa’s southern border where Rio Tinto is undertaking extensive site works ahead of drilling.
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By Matt Birney
