Junior's impact to be felt

摘要

When Gunson Resources Ltd's Coburn mineral sands ' project in Western Australia comes on stream during late 2006 it will be the world's third largest supplier of zircon. Gunson has targeted the Chinese market and, in particular, the business hub of Shanghai as the key customer for its zircon, the price of which has doubled since 2000 -- thanks to a global shortage of the heavy mineral. The WA-based junior is looking to commit to a mine development at Coburn, located 250 kilometres north of the WA port city of Geraldton, by the end of this year. On current figures Gunson is looking to process 30 million tonnes of ore per annum over an initial 20 year mine life. Its first target is trfe southern section of its Amy Zone ore body -- a 1.5 km and 35 km long deposit where the southern part contains a probable reserve of 250 Mt at 1.1 percent HM and has a strip ratio of 0.3:1. Meanwhile, in the northern section of the ore body, which has been less drilled, sits a potentially mineable reserve of 370 Mt at 1.9 percent HM.