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The company said it is eyeing the September quarter for the ship transport of essential equipment and fuel to the site, and detailed engineering plans for the mine's portal and decline drive towards the 'Beach Zone', the first and highest-grade ore source, are complete and site prep is ready to begin this year.
Engineering partner Mining Plus is helping Ironbark with both engineering and technical services for the open-pit and underground schedules, and collaborated with the miner on the completed plans.
"Ironbark is confident to proceed with these early site activities with the intention of achieving major milestones this year on site," managing director Jonathan Downes said, adding it is looking forward to breaking ground this year.
"This will ensure that when financing of the project is completed, with the assistance of Cutfield Freeman & Co, we can hit the ground running towards first zinc production without the delays of waiting for these long lead-time items."
The ship is expected to arrive at the project in mid-August; the company is currently negotiating with shipping groups to contract the vessel. Once delivered, crews will begin to use the equipment immediately.
"[The] project is exceptionally well placed to meet the strong and growing global demand for zinc, and represents a large-scale, high-margin operation in a stable and safe jurisdiction," he said.
"Ironbark is continuing working towards project financing and remains confident that the project economics against the current zinc price remain compelling."
Downes promised more appointment announcements in the near-term future for Citronen, which has been given a 30-year mining license. He added that some further work approvals are still being sought from the government of Greenland, but noted the company is "comfortable" they can be received in the needed time frame and within the license's outlines.
A feasibility study filed last year has outlined a 14-year mine life for Citronen with a throughput of 3.3 million tonnes annually and production of 150,000t of zinc per year.
