The latest issue of International Mining Project News, out today, has 20 prefeasibility study reports, eight feasibility studies, 29 projects in development, one new mine that has gone into production, three existing mines that are expanding, 13 merger and acquisition announcements and many new appointments to new positions. The report covers 29 gold projects, 16 silver, 15 copper, six iron, five zinc and coal projects, three lithium and rare earths projects, two projects on tin, tungsten and nickel, and one project each covering phosphate, diamonds, alumina, vanadium, titanium, mineral sands, uranium, manganese, base metals, graphite and lead. This fortnightly project watch is a great way of keeping up to date with your peers – other mining companies, other consultants or other engineering companies. These issues build into a global mine project overview. If you are a supplier – it is full of potential sales leads.
Indophil Resources has noted recent media reports stating that a long-awaited environmental approval for the worldclass Tampakan copper-gold project has been formally granted by the Philippines Government. While Indophil was not in a position to confirm this important news, it did confirm that the Tampakan project’s in-country operator, Sagittarius Mines (Xstrata Copper 62.5%), had advised Indophil that it has received the proposed Mine Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Management Bureau within the government’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Further, SMI says it is now in the process of reviewing the terms and conditions contained in the document.
EMED Mining’s independent technical expert BehreDolbear has completed an updated report on its Rio Tinto copper project. The report entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report on EMED’s Rio Tinto copper project, Huelva Province, Spain dated February 15, 2013” endorsed the company’s planned base case annual production of existing ore reserves at 9.0 Mt/y over 14 years from the Cerro Colorado deposit, being the first mine EMED Mining plans to bring into production. BehreDolbear also noted that there is exploration potential peripheral to the Cerro Colorado deposit which is open to the east and at depth. This potentially provides scope to grow the resource and expand operations including the development of other mines within the existing permit areas.
Centaurus Metals has awarded a key Management Support Contract for the implementation of its flagship Jambreiro iron ore project in southeast Brazil, representing the first key contract to be awarded for the project’s development.
The construction of Orocobre’s Olaroz lithium project continues to advance according to schedule and within budget with significant progress made, in particular with earthworks for the evaporation ponds, road construction on the salar, and earthworks for the camp and other infrastructure. The main road across the salar is currently under construction while 2 km of the auxiliary road to access the bore field from the east has been completed to allow access to the first two (of 13) drill platforms where drilling has commenced.
Canada Lithium has been selected to receive a grant of up to C$6.5 million from the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The grant was awarded to construct a pilot plant to test the viability of refining lithium metal from the company’s lithium products, soon to be produced from the new mine and process plant currently being commissioned near Val d’Or, Québec.
Fluor Corp has been awarded a series of follow-on contracts by Barrick Gold for new scopes of work at the Pascua-Lama mining project located on the Argentina/Chile border. These included in the award are for overall project management and construction management for the Pascua location on the Chile side of the site, as well as construction management and construction for the Lama location on the Argentina side. The latter two scopes are part of a 50/50 joint venture with Argentinian contractor Techint.
Veris Gold Corp reports on the progress of the development of its newest underground mine, Starvation Canyon located in the southern portion of the Jerritt Canyon property in Elko County, Nevada. Jerritt Canyon is a gold producing mine site operated by Veris Gold Corp USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veris Gold.
Mindoro Resources has provided an update on the joint venture projects with TVI Pacific, and its Philippines operating subsidiary TVIRD. Mindoro and TVI have signed four joint venture agreements, previously announced on July 6, Sept. 7 and Sept. 27, 2012, relating to the Agata and Pan de Azucar mining projects located in the Philippines on the Islands of Mindanao and Panay, respectively. The joint ventures present TVI and Mindoro with multiple growth opportunities for near-term and medium-term cash flow generating potential. Under the agreements TVIRD may earn up to a 60% interest and will act as operator of the projects. A management committee composed of senior management members of both TVIRD and Mindoro will oversee each of the projects.
Balamara Resources has established a strategic partnership with AIM-listed resource company Centurion Resources to support the continued development of its Balkans strategy, in particular its flagship Montenegro base metals project (Monty). As part of the arrangement, Balamara has agreed to sell a minority equity position in its Central European subsidiary, North Mining Doo, which is the 100% owner of the Montenegro project.
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