Newmont expands Tanami gold in Australia, Guyana Goldfields’ Aurora starts production and EMED Mining becomes Atalaya Mining as it nears production in Spain. Tungsten Mining has agreed terms for the acquisition of the Australian tungsten exploration assets of Hazelwood Resources, comprising the Mt Mulgine and Big Hill tungsten assets. Atherton Resources and Auctus Chillagoe confirm that Kagara Ltd (in liquidation) and Mungana Pty Ltd (in liquidation) have accepted the on-market takeover offer from Auctus Chillagoe and sold all of their shares in Atherton to Auctus. Shougang Hierro Peru is expanding operations, as is Tiger Resources in the DRC, and much more news of important projects in this 50-page report. This fortnightly update review of project activity around the world is available by subscription from International Mining. Contact [email protected] for more details.
The following are some more of the highlights – with much more detail on each in the actual report.
Moving to feasibility
Major potash project for UK – The Decision Notice from the North York Moors National Park Authority, which formally grants planning permission for the Sirius Minerals’ mine and mineral transport system application, has been issued by and is now with the company. The receipt of the Decision Notice is the formalisation of a major milestone for Sirius Minerals and is the conclusion of over four years’ work in the planning process. Throughout this time the project, which is expected to create over 1,000 jobs at full production, has enjoyed wide ranging support from business groups, parish councils, the local community, education providers, MPs, local enterprise partnerships and tourism groups.
Tin in the DRC – Alphamin Resources is in advanced negotiations with the Industrial Development Corp (IDC), a development finance institution owned by the South African government, for equity funding. The investment, if concluded, would be made in the company’s subsidiary, Alphamin Bisie Mining, with the proceeds to be used for the completion of a feasibility study on the Bisie tin prospect located in east central DRC.
Rare Earths in Tanzania – Peak Resources has registered the Ngualla rare earth project with the National Environmental Management Council in Tanzania. This represents a key milestone in ommencing the formal permitting process for the project. Early in 2015 Peak appointed environmental consultants Align Environment and Risk and Paulsam Geo-engineering Co. Paulsam is a well-respected Tanzanian firm with extensive experience with conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. Part of Align’s role is to assist Peak to continue to meet International Finance Corp best practice standards of environmental performance.
Nickel and copper in Far East Russia – Amur Minerals the nickel-copper sulphide mineral exploration and resource development company focused on the far east of Russia, has successfully completed the Flangovy infill drilling phase of its 2015 drill program. The infill program targeted the 29 Mt Flangovy Inferred resource area, and has successfully confirmed the continuity of the mineralisation throughout the 800 m long target. The continuity of high grade mineralisation suitable for underground mining methods, had been confirmed and 78% of the defined nickel is contained within discrete lenses (in excess of 0.7% Ni) averaging 9.3 m (18.9 m per ore hole) in thickness. The grade is in excess of 1.0% Ni.
Moly in the USA – American CuMo Mining Corp (CuMoCo) says its 100%-owned CuMo project is “the largest, un-mined molybdenum deposit in the world. The CuMo project, located in Idaho, USA, is massive. Independent NI 43-101 reports have shown it to contain billions of tonnes of molybdenum and copper, and over 300 Moz of silver. CuMoCo is currently advancing the CuMo project towards feasibility with a goal of establishing itself as one of the world’s largest and lowest-cost primary producers of molybdenum.”
Gold in Nunavut – Sabina Gold & Silver Corp has filed its NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled Technical Report for the Initial Project Feasibility Study on the Back River Gold Property, Nunavut dated October 28, 2015 on www.sedar.com.
Moving into development
Graphite around the world – Perth based CPC Engineering has been awarded a contract by ASX-listed Syrah Resources for the detailed engineering and design of the Balama graphite and vanadium project in Mozambique. MRL Corp has entered the final phase of preparations for the start of high-grade graphite production at its Aluketiya project in Sri Lanka, with the civil works being commenced ready for the installation of headframes. Lincoln Minerals and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Australian Graphite (AGL), aim to take the Kookaburra Gully project to critical development and commercialisation milestones over the next 12 months on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. LML states “Kookaburra Gully is one of Australia’s and the world’s premier graphite deposits with total Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.2 Mt grading 15.1% TGC. Energizer Resources has received confirmation that an independent third party has successfully manufactured a graphite foil from the company’s Molo (Madagascar) flake graphite concentrate and that initial test results indicate it has met all specifications and quality requirements for specialty graphite foil applications.
Gold in the Carolina Slate Belt – Following the completion of the Romarco acquisition, OceanaGold Corp has released the Haile gold mine NI 43-101 Technical Report under OceanaGold ownership. This restates the resources and reserves of Haile as previously reported by Romarco Minerals in November 2014.
Copper-zinc-gold in Eritrea – The Eritrean Ministry of Energy and Mines has awarded three mining licenses to the Asmara Mining Share Co, a joint-venture company of which Sunridge Gold Corp owns 60% and the Eritrean National Mining Corp owns 40%. These licenses cover a total area of 19.3 km2 and cover the four advanced projects (Emba Derho, Adi Nefas, Gupo Gold and Debarwa) on the Asmara copper-zinc-gold project that were included in a feasibility study completed by Sunridge in May 2013.
High-grade gold in WA – Kidman Resources has made strong progress in its strategy to establish a mine plan, including full cost and production forecasts, at its Burbanks gold project in Western Australia, with results of up to 34 g/t Au from the initial part of the underground drilling program.
Copper in Canada – Following the recent submission of the EA Application/EIS for the Ajax copper-gold project in September 2015, KGHM Ajax Mining will focus the majority of work in 2016 on obtaining the Environmental Assessment Certificate and permits required for construction start-up of the Ajax mine. The Ajax Project located near Kamloops, B.C. is 100% owned by KGHM-Ajax, a joint venture between Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp (20%), and KGHM Polska Miedz SA (80%).
Rubies and sapphires in Greenland – 75% of the construction and infrastructure is complete at True North Gems’ Aappalutoq ruby and pink sapphire deposit.
Vanadium-titanium-iron in Australia – Emerging strategic metals producer TNG Ltd has appointed McMahon Services (MCM) as interim project manager to coordinate the pre-development activities for its flagship 100%-owned Mount Peake project in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Copper, gold, moly, lead and zinc in Peru – Lupaka Gold Corp has completed its first run-of-mine bulk test of 342 t achieving total recoveries of 83.6% for gold and 95.5% for copper and has received the final report on the results. The processing test was run at a local Peruvian toll mill under the supervision of CERTIMIN, the company’s metallurgical consultant. Following the release of Los Calatos Strategic Mining Study on September 21, 2015, a number of parties have entered into a process with a view to forming an alliance with Metminco for the development of its 100% owned Los Calatos project located in southern Peru.
Coal in Canada – Jameson Resources reports the Environment Assessment process at Crown Mountain is progressing well and has passed another milestone. The first working group meeting has occurred. The working group is comprised of regulatory personnel from the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Members also include entities such as the Ktunaxa First Nations. In addition, Jameson’s team of expert consultants was present.
Gold and silver in the Philippines – Cadan Resources has closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement. The closing of this final tranche brings the total raised in this private placement to $3,685,601. The investor has extensive Philippine experience and has well established relationships within the mining industry. The funds raised from the private placement will be applied towards ongoing requirements to recommence mining at the company’s T’Boli mine, as well as for general working capital.
Lithium in Australia – Galaxy Resources notes that General Mining Corp (GMM) has signed a Sales & Distribution Agreement with Mitsubishi Corp for up to 100% of the lithium bearing spodumene concentrate produced from the Mt Cattlin project.
Then there are the sections on mine expansions, those now starting production and the news of mergers, acquisitions and people movements.