The latest issue of International Mining Project News, out now, includes 35 pages of news on 21 gold projects, 10 copper, four each of potash, silver and lithium, three of diamonds and coal, two of titanium, graphite, platinum, iron ore and zinc, as well as news of other silica, tantalum, rare earths, uranium, tin, oil sands, tungsten, molybdenum, diatomite, nickel, lead and gemstone projects. For subscription details contact [email protected]
Looking at pre-feasibility developments, Alabama Graphite Corp has announced the results of a positive PEA for its 100%-owned flagship Coosa Graphite Project located in east-central Alabama, USA. It demonstrates “that the Coosa Graphite Project has strong economics and excellent potential to become a near-term producer of high-value, ultra-high-purity specialty graphite products for the burgeoning American green-energy markets.”
Also at scoping stage, Newmarket Gold has announced that in the Northern Territory, the previously announced PEA study for the 100% owned Maud Creek Gold Project is well underway with an initial report expected to be published in Q1, 2016 by SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd; while also in Australia, Northern Star Resources Ltd has advised that it has made further strong progress in its strategy to become a 700,000 oz/y gold producer, with a scoping study finding that its Hermes deposit will make a significant contribution to production and mine life at the Plutonic gold mine.
Moving on to definitive feasibility work, Danakali Ltd has announced the results of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Colluli Potash Project located in Eritrea, East Africa. The project is 100% owned by the Colluli Mining Share Company (CMSC), a 50:50 joint venture between Danakali and the Eritrean National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO). Key outcomes of the DFS include a reduction in Phase I development capital by over 30% to $298 million resulting in a market leading capital intensity of $702/t sulphate of potash (SOP) and an accelerated Phase I payback period of 3.5 years.
Also in Africa, Golden Star has announced the results of its Feasibility Study (FS) regarding the development of its Prestea Underground Mine in Ghana. In November 2014 the company released a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) based on the development of a non-mechanised mining operation in the West Reef deposit at Prestea. The FS includes additional geotechnical, hydrogeological and metallurgical test work on samples from additional underground drilling. The drilling results contribute to an updated resource block model which is the basis for the 2015 mine design and estimation of Mineral Reserves.
Moving to the UK, the Directors of Sirius Minerals PLC have confirmed that all key town and country planning approvals for its York Potash Project have passed through their respective Judicial Review windows. Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, comments: “We are pleased to be able to put the majority of the approvals work behind us and focus on the implementation of this world class Project. The DFS is close to completion and we look forward to announcing its positive findings in January 2016.”
Mongolian metallurgical coal explorer and infrastructure company, Aspire Mining Ltd has announce that its Mongolian rail infrastructure subsidiary, Northern Railways LLC, has received its Construction License for the Erdenet to Ovoot Railway from the Mongolian Government. Aspire’s flagship Ovoot coal project is host to 255 Mt JORC Coal Reserves and can sustain full scale production of up to 10 Mt/y of saleable coking coal over a 21 year life of mine. Ovoot is ready to head into a definitive feasibility study having completed two pre-feasibility studies, received a mining licence, and approval by the Mineral Resource Authority of Mongolia for its Mongolian Feasibility Study. Ovoot’s development is dependent on the construction of the Erdenet – Ovoot railway.
Also in development, Orinoco Gold reports further outstanding high grade gold results from initial mining areas at its in development Cascavel mine. The latest underground sampling has returned gold grades of up to 20oz/t (635g/t) in Cascavel Level Drives with mine development progressing according to plan and with first production expected in early 2016.
In Canada, Northcliff Resources Ltd has announced that the New Brunswick government has issued a positive environmental impact assessment Certificate of Determination to Sisson Mines Ltd for the Sisson Tungsten-Molybdenum Project.
Moving towards production, Coro Mining Corp has announced that its subsidiary, SCM Berta (SCMB) has completed the remediation and refurbishment of its Nora SXEW plant, located in the III Region of Chile. Key management positions have been filled and plant commissioning is nearing completion with crushing, agglomeration, stacking and testing of fluid flows in progress. SCMB anticipates that production of copper cathode will start before year end.
MMG Ltd has announced to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) an update on progress at the Las Bambas project, where commissioning continues to plan with the closeout of remaining construction work and the introduction of commissioning ore to the processing circuit. Testing of plant and equipment has been underway for some weeks, with trial batches of copper concentrate now being produced.
New players include Brixton Metals Corporation which has announced that is has entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement with Canagco Mining Corp to acquire a 100% interest in the claims comprising the past-producing Langis silver mine located in the historic Cobalt silver mining camp of northeastern Ontario.
