Alien Metals Ltd on Wednesday said that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Iron Ore Company of Australia Pty Ltd, has chosen a supplier to undertake crushing and screening operations at the Hancock iron ore project in Western Australia.

Iron Ore Co has chosen Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors Pty Ltd, one of the largest privately and independently owned crushing contractors in Australia.

Rapid previously worked with Fortescue Metals Group, and has been the incumbent contractor at Galaxy Lithium for the past six years.

According to the agreement, Rapid should deliver a C1 cost of approximately $60 per tonne, consistent with the scoping study. It was the last key contractor to be selected.

The award of the contract is subject to the completion of a positive definitive feasibility study, approvals, funding, and a final investment decision from the board.

‘Rapid Crushing’s significant hard rock mining knowledge and experience, particularly in iron ore, will be of great benefit to our overall operations. We will be working closely with Rapid Crushing to finalise optimisation activities that support the accelerated [definitive feasibility study] work streams related to price opportunity as we prepare and execute the contractual documents,’ said Chief Executive Officer Troy Whittaker.

‘The selection of Rapid Crushing finalises the material procurement efforts for the project. This will result in a high level of validated and secured costing for the Hancock project.’

Alien Metals shares were trading 0.9% higher at 0.17 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

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