Zircon and TiO2-bearing minerals are lost to the mineral separation process (MSP) tailings through process inefficiencies. These tailings are currently stockpiled in the mining lease. The project aims to build a new MSP tailings treatment plant (TTP) to recover the valuable minerals lost to the tailing streams, currently arising from the existing MSP plant and stockpiled, at a combined feed rate of 300 t/h.

The TTP process is based principally on known technology in order to minimize risk and facilitate rapid ramp-up. The only new process step to RBM involves density separation by means of hindered settlers, which are also referred to as Floatex units. Pilot test work was conducted to evaluate the full potential of this new type of equipment in the circuit.

The total duration for the FEL4 project implementation phase including detail engineering, construction and precommissioning (cold) of the MSP TTP is estimated at 36 months from January 2008 to February 2011 which includes two planned project delays totalling six months.

Scope of Services
The scope of work includes the following:

• Project management of all EPCM activities
• Basic and detailed engineering in the process, civil, structural, mechanical, HVAC, piping, electrical and
  instrumentation disciplines
• Conveyor design and detail drawings
• Steel detailing (shop drawings)
• Cost management
• Change management
• Planning and scheduling
• Procurement of all capital equipment and contracts (in conjunction with Rio Tinto Procurement)
• QA/QC and materials control/expediting services
• Construction management
• Commissioning management and support during hot commissioning