The latest issue, number 259, of International Mining Project News again offers a huge resource, this issue 60 pages, of information of the latest progress with mineral exploration start-ups and progress reports from around the world. Contact [email protected] for more information on subscription details for this unique information resource.

In early stage underground mine planning, Metminco Ltd announced results for the scoping level work completed by SRK Consulting (USA) on an underground only mining study at the Miraflores project in Colombia. The Miraflores project has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 9.19 Mt at 2.81 g/t Au and 2.76 g/t Ag at cutoff grade of 1.2 g/t Au, as announced on 21 July 2016, which has formed the basis of the mining study. The mining schedule produces 4.03 Mt tonnes at a mined grade of 3.51 g/t Au and 2.84 g/t Ag (including a low grade stockpile material feed) over a mine life of nine years, producing approximately 50,000 oz of recovered gold per annum at steady state.

Elsewhere, GoGold Resources Inc provides a progress update on its wholly-owned Santa Gertrudis gold deposits located in Sonora, Mexico. Following the completion of the PEA by P&E Mining Consultants in August 2014, GoGold has continued to assess various processing methods. The PEA was based on conventional cyanide heap leaching for the recovery of the precious metals; in part, because the property has a long production history using cyanide heap leaching. Further preliminary metallurgical testing was completed at the Kappes Cassidy & Associates (KCA) laboratories which indicated that cyanide vat leaching could be a viable alternative to conventional heap leaching; with achieved vat gold recoveries in the low 80% range (at a -8 mm crush size over 50 hours of leach) on the first deposits tested along the main mineralised trend including Trinidad, Dora, Corral and Ruben.

Rogue Resources Inc is pleased to report the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment on its 100% owned Silicon Ridge Project (the “Project”), located approximately 42 km north of Baie-Saint Paul, Québec, and 4 km northeast of Sitec’s operating silica mine. The PEA, prepared by Met-Chem Canada, a division of DRA Americas, demonstrates a good economic project, initially modelled with a 20-year mine life and 200,000 tonnes mined per year.

Moving into more advanced feasibility, Australian lithium developer Pilbara Minerals Ltd has completed the Phase 2 metallurgical test work program, representing one of the final work streams for the DFS on its flagship 100%-owned Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project in WA. With the completion of this key metallurgical test work program, the DFS has now entered into its final review and compilation stage.

Namibian uranium remains a hotspot. Marenica Energy Ltd has entered into a definitive and binding Technology Licence Agreement (TLA) with Deep Yellow Ltd (DYL). Under the TLA, Marenica will provide its U-pgradeTM technology and expertise to Deep Yellow for use towards development of the Tumas project in Namibia in return for a Licence Fee for the entire life of the project. Both parties sought to formalise the TLA after the successful test work program recently completed by Marenica on the Tumas ore.

Asiamet Resources Ltd (ARS) has advised that Resource infill and extension drilling in progress as part of feasibility studies on the Beruang Kanan Main (BKM) copper deposit in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia continues to demonstrate excellent continuity of shallow copper mineralisation within the BK058 and BK044 high grade zones.

In projects at development stage, Endeavour Mining Corp announces that excellent progress is being made at its Houndé gold project in Burkina Faso. Construction is progressing on-time and on-budget, with the first gold pour expected during the fourth quarter of 2017.

Danakali has announced the shortlisting of three firms that will progress to a competitive bidding process for the EPC contract for the Colluli Potash Project. The shortlisted parties are internationally renowned engineering firms with a vast array of experience in Africa, Eritrea and potash.

Genesis Minerals has received the final outstanding regulatory approvals required to commence open pit mining operations at its 100%-owned Ulysses gold project near Leonora in Western Australia, paving the way for mining to commence later this month.

Golden Star Resources Ltd has appointed Manroc Developments as the underground mining contractor for its Prestea underground gold mine in Ghana. Manroc was selected following a competitive bid process, involving a number of large mining contractors. Manroc specializes in Alimak stoping, a mechanised shrinkage mining method, and has a reputation for safety and efficiency.

Finally, in news of actual new producing mines, Orinoco Gold advises that the first batches of production material have been successfully run through the plant for the first time at its 70%-owned Cascavel gold mine in central Brazil with initial grade estimates indicating an average feed grade for this material of 15-17g/t Au.