The Marillana Project is located approximately 100km north-west of Newman in the heart of the Pilbara iron ore province in Western Australia. It covers a 16km strike length along the base of the Hamersley Range, prospective for channel iron and detrital iron deposits in valleys shedding from the Ranges. Drilling in the last year has confirmed a JORC compliant Mineral Resource of over 1.1 billion tonnes of iron ore including a direct shipping ore (DSO) component of 56.2 Mt grading 57.5% Fe (62.6% Fe on a calcined basis) and 1.06 billion tonnes of beneficiation feed. Preliminary metallurgical testwork on the detrital mineralisation has demonstrated the potential to upgrade this mineralisation to a +59% Fe product with an average weight recovery of 47%. Based on these results, the beneficiation feed has the potential to produce 500 Mt of final product grade +59% Fe (in addition to the DSO material). The company is planning an aggressive exploration programme in 2008, parallel with additional metallurgical testwork.
A scoping study is already well advanced on a potential 10 mtpa operation, with the updated Resource providing a strong foundation for ongoing activities.
Brockman is progressing discussions with third party infrastructure owners and the Port Hedland Port Authority regarding ore transport, unloading and shipping options.
Figure 1 OBLIQUE Aerial image of the Marillana project showing colluvial fans and extent of mineralisation estimate (cross-hatched).
Carr Boyd Nickel-Copper Sulphide Project
Brockman is earning a 51% interest in the Carr Boyd nickel-copper sulphide project located 80km north of Kalgoorlie. The Carr Boyd deposits were mined in the 1970’s and they contain remnant Indicated Mineral Resources of 8,500 tonnes of contained nickel. Scoping Studies for the mining of these deposits by open pit and underground methods have been completed and discussions regarding an ore offtake agreement are well advanced. Mineralisation remains open at depth and a small but previously unknown shoot has been indicated from down-hole electromagnetic surveys. Compilation and assessment of the vast historical database is continuing to identify new exploration targets.
Figure 2 Carr Boyd Location Plan
Irwin-Coglia Nickel-Cobalt Laterite Project
The Irwin-Coglia project is located 100km southeast of Laverton in Western Australia and is a joint venture (Brockman 40%) with the Murrin Murrin JV (Minara and Glencore, operators of the nearby Murrin Murrin nickel laterite treatment plant). The project covers a 15km strike extent of the Irwin Hills Ultramafic Unit, prospective for nickel laterite and sulphide mineralisation. A Mineral Resource of 17.9Mt grading 1.07% Ni and 0.13% Co (including a higher grade zone of 6.4Mt @ 1.26% Ni and 0.17% Co) has been identified in four deposits within the project area. This represents an in-ground value of over $8.5 billion at current (January 2008) metal prices. The joint venture is continuing to assess options for the realisation of this resource.
Figure 3 Irwin-Coglia location map
