Modern Mining February 2016

MINING News

South African consultancy to assist in delivering Zambian gold project Following its recent acquisition of the his- toric Matala and Dunrobin gold mines in Zambia and as part of its intention to move quickly towards becoming a gold pro- ducer, AIM-listed Alecto Minerals reports that it has entered into an agreement with South African-based consultancy group PenMin to assist in delivering the next stage of the Matala gold project. PenMin reportedly has extensive knowledge of Matala and Dunrobin. PenMin will update and finalise the historic Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) prepared by Coffey Mining and a works programme for Matala and will prepare the Design, Build and Operate (DBO) contract (to FIDIC Gold Book standards) for the proj- ect. This will exclude the mining elements of the project but will include the supply of the process plant and mining infra- structure components such as workshops, The Matala and Dunrobin gold mines are located in a licence area of south-cen- tral Zambia dominated by the Mwembeshi Shear Zone, which incorporates the geologically complex Matala Dome, an elongated east-northeast dome parallel, or sub-parallel, to the trend of the shear. Alecto has identified the potential to develop a low-cost, profitable, small-scale 400 000 t/a open-pit mine at Matala and satellite deposits, targeting the oxide and transitional ore and using a simple crushing, milling and gravity circuit with subsequent direct cyanidation.  Cupric Canyon appoints Exploration VP wellfield, earthworks and roads. PenMin will also assist with the mining contract. It is anticipated that the mining contractor will finance the cost of supply- ing and operating themine fleet, whichwill serve to reduce the initial capital required to begin mining operations at Matala.

AEL Mining expands in South America

AEL Mining Services is growing its already established base in South America by going direct to customers with explosive products, on-site support and blasting optimisation. This is according to Alois Kwenda, AEL General Manager for Business Development for South America and West Central Africa, who says AEL’s business model in the region previously provided for the supply of prod- ucts to customers through distributors. “We are now expanding by offering our full suite of products and technical expertise in South America directly to our customers to ensure quality throughout both the sup- ply and application of explosives on site,” states Kwenda. Kwenda says the expansion in this region by AEL has exceeded expectations since it started offering direct supply in June. “We have already participated in three tenders in the region and are conducting several dem- onstrations of electronic blasting systems with potential customers,” he says. Kwenda and his team recently exhibited as part of AECI at one of the largest mining trade fairs in Latin America, the International Mining Exhibition (EXPOSIBRAM) 2015, between 14 and 17 September 2015. The annual exhibition was held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and received over 50 000 visitors. “This was a great opportunity to meet with existing and potential customers and to be able to demonstrate to them that we are increasing our presence in Latin America and are prepared to do business with them,” notes Kwenda. He adds that AEL aims to increase its sup- ply of electronic blasting systems and bulk explosives to South American markets, par- ticularly in Brazil and Chile, and that safety is the number one issue for these customers. 

Cupric Canyon Capital has promoted Catherine Knight to the position of Vice President of Exploration and Resource Development. Dennis Bartlett, Cupric’s CEO, said, “We believe that Cathy’s technical expertise and achievements speak for themselves. Her increased responsibilities will be a def- inite asset to the company and will assist with the rapid progression of our ongoing exploration programmes.” Knight began her career in 2002 with Bema Gold as an exploration geologist. She has several years’ experience as a senior geologist in mineral exploration, mining,

feasibility and development working on projects located in Canada, Russia, Mexico, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Since 2010, she has worked on the Khoemacau copper mining project in Botswana, which was acquired by Cupric Canyon Capital in February 2013. She was instrumental in the discovery of Khoemacau’s Zone 5 deposit and actively involved in the recent acquisition of the neighbouring Boseto copper mine. Knight graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada with a combined honours degree in geol- ogy and geography. 

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