In this issue of International Mining Project News Vale has begun its Chilean journey in record time with the inauguration of its Tres Valles copper plant – the company’s first project in Chile. The plant will have a production capacity of 18,500 t/y copper cathodes and there are two mines, open pit and underground. Aker Solutions will be carrying out two pre-feasibility studies at Exeter Resource’s Capische gold-copper project, also in Chile, with both studies scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. The studies will consider a short term, low cost, project to generate quick cash flow as well as a much larger project that will take fuller advantage of a 1,316 Mt resource base.

Argentina Mining is targeting the Andean copper-gold belt with drilling programs starting at Cerro Blanco, the programs will begin soon after the young company’s ASX listing, to investigate high values from historical drill results that intersected up to 71 m of anomalous copper and molybdenum. In India NTPC Ltd has awarded one of the largest contracts in the company’s history, worth A$5.5 billion, to Thiess in order to develop and operate the 300 Mt Pakri Barwadih project over the next 22 years. The low cost mine is the first of six that NTPC Ltd plans to develop in an attempt to cut costs at its Indian power stations.

In Ghana Azumah Resources is embarking on an aggressive exploration drive to build upon its Wa gold project’s 2.1 Moz resource base after completing a capital raising worth almost $40 million. While in Australia Northern Star’s exploration has revealed more results that support the idea of a second lode at its Paulsens gold mine after intersecting 16.7 g/t deeper beneath the Voyager 1 lode. Alcyone Resources is looking to raise $5.42 million for exploration and pre-development at its Queensland silver project with an entitlement offer. After a favourable economic review the company are planning on bringing the Twin Hills project into production next year with hopes to reach up to 2 Moz/y.

Sandfire Resources is eager to get started at its Degrussa copper-gold project after reporting a Phase III resource of 10.67 Mt and are still on track to begin construction and development in the first half of next year. The oxide copper resource now has a Measured and Indicated resource of 3.6 Mt – a welcome upgrade from the original 100,000 t resource estimate. Cortona Resources will also be moving ahead on its Darques Reef gold project, in New South Wales, after a positive feasibility study endorsed the company’s proposed development plans. Cortona plan to develop a highly efficient underground mining operation to reach total production of almost 250,000 oz Au and over 70,000 oz Ag by 2018.

Ord River Resources is making steps to create a joint venture company focused on exploring Australia and the Asia Pacific by signing a Heads of Agreement with Chinese firm Guangdong Rising Asset Management. The companies will begin with the large scale Copper Flats project in Australia which will be kick started by GRAM with a A$5 million cash contribution. Sirius Minerals has appointed two new members to its geological team, combined the two geologist’s have extensive experience in salt and potash mining which should serve the company’s Australian interests well.

Middleland Resources has closed its A$12.5 million IPO after being swamped by investors, the company now expects to list on the ASX around December 9 at roughly A$25 million. Catalpa has revealed a maiden underground Inferred resource at its Australian Edna May gold project which will significantly increase annual gold production. Gold Resource Corp has begun underground mining and stockpiling gold and silver at its Mexican La Arista deposit. Crescent Gold has raised A$45 million to bring its Summit gold mine back into production to take advantage of its 2.66 Mt resource at a time of high gold prices.

All this and much, much more in International Mining’s Project News….

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