Iluka Resources’ Cataby mine in the Shire of Dandaragan is officially opened. Located approximately 150 kilometres north of Perth, the $270 million mine supported 600 jobs during construction and will sustain around 600 ongoing jobs during the 13-year life of the mine.

Iluka said the Cataby mine will have an annual production of 200,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile (from 370,000 tonnes of ilmenite), 50,000 tonnes of zircon and 30,000 tonnes of rutile.
Cataby will produce an average of approximately 370ktpa of chloride ilmenite. This material is being processed into approximately 200ktpa of premium grade synthetic rutile at Iluka’s SR2 kiln at Capel (around 350km south of Cataby), and shipped out of the Port of Bunbury. 

In addition, Cataby will produce an average of approximately 50ktpa premium grade zircon and approximately 30ktpa rutile. These materials will be processed at Iluka’s Narngulu mineral separation plant in Geraldton (about 250km north of Cataby) and shipped out of the Port of Geraldton. The project was approved in December 2017.

The Shire of Dandaragan comprises of four townships; Jurien Bay, Cervantes, Badgingarra and Dandaragan. Situated approximately 200 kilometres north of Perth and covering an area of 6,716 square kilometres, the Shire of Dandaragan has a lot to offer both residents and visitors.The Shire is the pinnacle of the Turquoise Coast, with pristine beaches ideal for swimming, snorkelling, diving, fishing and windsurfing within Jurien Bay and Cervantes whilst the towns of Badgingarra and Dandaragan offer beautiful national parks with native flora and fauna, bush walks, unique Australian wildflowers and farming land. Photo courtesy: Tripadvisor

The Narngulu plant produces zircon and rutile final products, whereas Iluka’s processing facilities at Capel produce around 320,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile per annum.

These mineral sands products are used in a range of industrial and household applications, including pigment, ceramics, titanium metal, water and air purification systems and fibre optics.

Premier McGowan commended Iluka on the opening of the Cataby operation and for continuing to be a significant creator of jobs in Western Australia’s Mid-West and South-West regions.

These mining and processing jobs provide opportunities for regional workers and their families, and will support the local economies of Dandaragan, Capel and Geraldton over many years,” the Premier said.

“It’s exciting to see Western Australia’s continued success as a producer of mineral sands.

“In Iluka’s case, downstream processing sees the value of these products captured here in WA, creating more employment opportunities for Western Australians. I look forward to seeing this industry continue to grow in our State, with growing demand forecast globally.”

Source: Government of WA, Iluka

 

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