"The Company is pleased to report progress on the development of its demonstration plant project led by The Magpie Mines Inc., using the proprietary Magpie Process. Following a number of exchanges in the past two months that included a meeting in early September with the SDTC delegation, consortium member, COREM, has recently confirmed its commitment to provide substantial in-kind contribution to the project, which includes demonstration plant hosting. Construction process has started on COREM’s building where the demo-plant is to be hosted. The building is scheduled to be ready by the end of April, 2018."

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On the board at Corem, is Patrice nadeau, porject manager, Rio Tinto, Iron and Titanium

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look at the recent problem below for Rio Tinto..

News ... April 12, 2018

http://www.afr.com/business/mining/rio-tinto-mineral-sands-operation-shut-by-protests-20180412-h0yojr

Rio Tinto's Richards Bay mineral sands operation in South Africa remains shuttered after protests by contractors who supply the business blocked access to the mine.

Rio confirmed on Thursday that operations at Richards Bay, which produces about 25 per cent of titanium  feedstock, 33 per cent of the world's zircon output and 25 per cent of the world's high purity pig iron, were shut down in late March and are yet to be restarted.

"As a result of ongoing road blockades by protesters since March 28 which have impeded safe access to the mine, Richards Bay Minerals has suspended operations until further notice," Rio said in a statement

"The management team is still assessing the likely impact on RBM's production and sales deliveries, but it has advised its titanium dioxide customers that it has declared force majeure.

"The safety of employees, contractors and suppliers is of paramount importance and RBM will only resume normal operations when it is safe to do so."

Related Quotes

Sources said that the protests were led by a cross section of employees from five or six contractor companies that supply goods and services to Richards Bay.

They have asked for substantial pay rises from their employers, and have blocked the roads into the site in protest.

It is understood discussions with the demonstrators continue, with local government officials providing some mediation support in an attempt to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Equipment damaged

However, mineral sands industry insiders have suggested the protests have escalated beyond road closures, and equipment at Richards Bay has been damaged. There are even suggestions that a dredge at the operation has been sunk and copper electricity lines have been cut.

The drama at Richards Bay may be good news for Australian mineral sands producers including Iluka and Mineral Deposit, with experts tipping prices of zircon and titanium dioxide could head north.

The protests also highlight the continued difficulties for Australian miners operating in South Africa. South32 is examining a spin-off of its South African coal interests following changes to black ownership requirements for South African mining operations.

It remains to be seen what impact the current ructions will have on Rio's proposed expansion project at Richards Bay, called Zulti South. The project, worth around $US500 million ($645 million), is likely to come to the group's investment committee later this year.

Read more: http://www.afr.com/business/mining/rio-tinto-mineral-sands-operation-shut-by-protests-20180412-h0yojr#ixzz5DspqZZfy 
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