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Nov 2007 - Territory Resources

Territory Resources Limited (TTY) –Increasing Production Towards 2.5mtpa of High Quality (~62%Fe, ~1% loi) Iron Ore

  • On 28 September 2007, Territory Resources (TTY) made its first shipment of 67,500t of high grade (~63%Fe) iron ore from Darwin to China, sourcing the ore from its Frances Creek operation near Pine Creek in the Northern Territory. TTY envisages ramping up to 1.5mtpa, then towards 2.5mtpa and possibly later 3mtpa.
  • TTY’s Frances Creek operation has been able to start debt-free due to the cash injection from Michael Kiernan’s Crawley Resources and very low capex below A$15m (of which ~A$10m was on facilities at the port). Mine life at this stage appears to be at least 5 years based on current resources of ~10mt and achieving a production rate of 2.2mtpa (ERA’s estimate) from December 2008.
  • The Frances Creek operation appears to currently be Australia’s highest grade iron ore producer (possibly even the world’s), and aside from grade it has significant advantages over other Australian iron ore producers with the shortest shipping distance from Australia to China, and only 15km by haul road from the mine to a new railway siding ~190km south of the Port of Darwin.
  • The Frances Creek mine’s original heyday was in the 60’s and 70’s and it was forced to close mainly due to Cyclone Tracy destroying the ship loader & most of Darwin in December 1974, combined with the rail freight prices increasing by 50% to try and keep the then aging railway operational. Viability was restored with the completion of the new railway to Darwin in 2004, and the Port of Darwin injecting A$24m into a new shiploader (completed in July 2007), with greater port facilities.
  • Due to the advances in geological exploration techniques since the 1970’s and the ability to both upgrade and sell varying grades of iron ore through the Noble Group to China, TTY appears to have the potential to significantly increase its resources, reserves and possibly production at Frances Creek.
  • Written by: Keith Goode
  • Thursday, 01 November 2007