Q&A - Saudi Assets6 Apr 2020 12:17
Q: When is any definite decision likely to be made in Saudi regarding Hawiah mine construction?
We started drilling at Hawiah in September 2019 and target a maiden resource mid-2020.
Q: What is the likely timeline from this point to first pour at Hawiah?
A fast track outcome could be 2 years to start development plus 2 years construction, compared with the global average closer to 15 years.
In the meantime, we would progress maiden resource, Preliminary Economic Assessment, resource expansion, reserve reporting, feasibility studies, permits, finance. These are capable of being more rapid for Hawiah in Saudi Arabia compared with Tulu Kapi in Ethiopia.
Q: What is the upside at Hawiah?
The resource (similar style to nearby Al Masane mine) is likely to keep growing because it remains open at depth plus there is the oxidised zone to consider and the stockwork zone (looking for something like nearby Jabal Sayid copper mine) which has not been located yet.
Q: What are the plans for Jibal Qutman?
Jibal Qutman is stuck in the local regulatory overhaul. Its potential value seems perhaps overtaken by Hawiah.
Q: What’s Hawiah worth?
- we have made what appears a significant discovery at Hawiah but don’t yet know how big it is or what it might be worth
- we have drill-confirmed that the structure is straightforward with 45 drillholes over 4km laterally but at this stage drilled only down to about 250m depth
- the in-situ value of metal content is already greater than Tulu Kapi and the structure is open at depth
- we need to get many more assays in to be sure of grade and the distribution thereof
So it is too early to do NPV’s. but we expect to report a maiden resource mid-year and trigger and independent preliminary economic assessment.
Posted 06 April 2020