RE: Latest update8 Feb 2024 10:42
Good to see a slightly less opaque RNS than usual although Leon still seems unable to tell us exactly what Roan is presently producing.
Some points of note for me:
· Roan processing module expected to start commissioning by end of March. Module now completed and will be shipped to Zambia during February. A couple of weeks ago they were estimating local manufacture of the missing electrical components would take 8 weeks so maybe they were able to clear the original unit through customs?
· The sulphide circuit at Roan has been fine tuned to increase contained copper percentage from 20 to above 25% (this seems more in line with what was quoted in the WH Ireland note).
· Construction of the new Sable copper sulphide expected to commence in Q2 CY2024. This seems to confirm that this is to produce copper sulphide concentrate rather than copper cathode. Expected to increase Sable output from 13,000 tonnes of contained copper (cathode plus sulphide concentrate) to 16,000 tonnes of contained copper, ie, adding 3,000 tonnes of copper contained in sulphide concentrates.
· 80,000 tonnes of ROM from Munkoyo at grade 1.5-3% contained copper already refined at Sable (so potentially up to 1200-2400 tonnes of contained copper). The option to acquire the license for US$1.5m seems very good business on the face of it.
· Copper module at Munkoyo expected to take 6 months to build and implement but start date is not clear.
· Questions around plans for Munkoyo and other potential open pit opportunities... are we planning to become a small scale miner now?
· Still working on due dilligence with IRH on the Waste Rock Project, drilling programme underway to determine overall grades. New target for DD completion is end of this month.