PRESS RELEASE: The Woodlawn project, which is under construction an due to commence commissioning at the end of this year, includes both reprocessing of 9.5Mt of historic tailings from the previous operations (1978 until 1998), in addition to the processing of fresh ore from underground mining.

The key technical elements of Heron's tailings reprocessing operation include hydraulic mining reclamation, fine grinding using an IsaMill, and sequential differential flotation of copper, lead and zinc to concentrates.

The mining reclamation rates for the tailings ore will be at a rate of 190tph using remote-controlled water cannons.

Heron has contracted with National Pump & Energy (NPE), an Australian pumping equipment provider with prior experience in the supply of hydraulic mining equipment. NPE will provide a complete hydraulic mining equipment package consisting of main and standby track-mounted, remote-controlled water monitors; water delivery pumps; slurry pumps; screens; and associated infrastructure including strategic spares and consumables.

Alongside NPE, Heron has awarded a specialist mining services contract to Paragon Tailings Australia for the provision of process design, mining planning, construction supervision and support, operator training and personnel to support the tailings reclamation operations. Paragon has a track record in hydraulic mining both internationally and within Australia.

Commenting on the contracts, Heron's managing director Wayne Taylor said: "Heron is pleased to have facilitated the combination of NPE and Paragon to provide an integrated solution for the supply of equipment and services for tailings mining at Woodlawn.

"These contract awards ensure that Heron's tailings mining operation will utilise an efficient equipment design with locally available support, operated and supervised by experienced and capable project partners, who will also provide training for our own personnel."