The latest issue of International Mining Project News, today, has reports on 26 prefeasibility studies, 10 feasibility studies, 22 projects in development, three new mines that have gone into production and many new appointments to new positions. The report covers 32 gold projects, 14 copper, six iron ore, five silver projects, three each in zinc, lithium and coal, two projects on nickel, manganese, rare earths, diamonds, potash and cobalt; and one project each on lead, graphite, molybdenum, uranium and niobium. 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. [email protected] for details.
International Goldfields has announced results from ongoing diamond drilling by Ouro Paz Joint Venture in Brazil. Twenty holes tested six separate prospects within the Union project area with a total of 2,500 m of drilling being completed. Encouraging assay results are located at the initial drill test of the Morro do Carrapato Prospect.
The results of a preliminary bench-scale metallurgical test program on representative samples from the Chinchillas silver-zinc-lead project in Argentina have been announced by Golden Arrow Resources. Samples are said to have responded well to sulphide flotation, with silver recoveries averaging 98.7% as well high lead and zinc recoveries.
Located in northeastern Bahia, the 100% owned Braúna diamond project will receive $50 million of investment for development by the owner, Brazilian based Lipari Mineração. The project is in feasibility stage and expected to become South America’s first diamond mine to be developed in kimberlite rock, the primary mineral source in diamonds.
Globe Metals & Mining has engaged specialist consultant, David Ma, to assist with optimisation of the concentrated processing plan and product marketing for the Kanyika niobium project (KNP) in Malawi. Ma will evaluate different process options to maximise profitability of the KNP. Ma is the President of Metalink International, a leader in the manufacturing and trading of speciality metallurgical products including riobium and tantalum products.
South Boulder Mines (STB) has reached a binding term sheet agreement with the Eritrean National Mining Corp (ENAMCO) regarding ENAMCO’s participation in the Collui potash project. The agreement represents a major milestone in the development of the project and provides significant certainty as to the economic and fiscal basis under which it can be developed.
Alderon Iron Ore, through The Kami Mine Limited Partnership, has entered into a definitive Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management Agreement (the EPCM Agreement) with WorleyParsons Canada Services who will be the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contractor for the development of the Kami iron ore project. The budget for the EPCM Agreement with WorleyParsons is estimated at $92.5 million, which is consistent with the cost estimate set out in Alderon’s feasibility study for the Kami project.
Fresh high-grade gold and silver assays point to the possible discovery of a new zone of mineralisation at its Tembang gold-silver project in South Sumatra, Indonesia according to Sumatra Copper & Gold. The results are considered significant because any additional resources at this location would easily and economically accessed via the planned Belinau underground decline development, which is expected to start in December 2013.
Donner Metals reports that production at the anticipated average rate of 3,000 t/d commenced on May 15 at the Bracemac-McLeod mine located near Matagami, Quebec. Donner’s partner and operator, Glencore Xstrata, is now processing copper and zinc ore from the new mine following the depletion of ore at their Perseverance mine. The Bracemac-McLeod mine is a 65% Glencore Xstrata, 35% Donner joint venture. As operator, Glencore Xstrata is responsible for the execution of all development, production, processing, milling, smelting and refining activities related to the Bracemac-McLeod mine, as well as the exploration programs conducted on the Matagami project.