5 Oct 2015 07:00
BMR Mining PLC ("BMR" or the "Company")
Potential market for Waelz Kiln Slag ("WKS")
BMR Mining PLC, the Zambian-focused mineral processing business, is pleased to provide an update for shareholders on the WKS from which BMR now hopes to generate revenues.
BMR's assets at Kabwe, Zambia, include approximately 1.1 million tonnes of WKS, as surveyed on a JORC compliant basis by Mineral Consultant Corporation The WKS was written down by 90% to £201,000 in the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2014 due to it being brittle and hard, and of too low a grade and too difficult to process on a commercial basis.
However, BMR has now identified, from studies undertaken by the Building Research Establishment UK, that the WKS, being a ferro-silicate zinc slag (smelter slag), could be applied in the construction of building blocks. As part of its analysis and in conjunction with a local block making company, BMR has manufactured a test batch of concrete blocks, using an 80:20 ratio of WKS to building sand, which were then subjected to testing. Importantly, there was no evidence of leaching of lead or zinc.
BMR has therefore instructed its Environmental Consultants to prepare a submission, including BMR's test results, to seek approval from the Zambian Environmental Management Agency ("ZEMA") to sell the WKS for incorporation in block and concrete making. Approval will be sought in the form of an Environmental Project Brief ("EPB") which involves a separate and less onerous application process than an Environmental Impact Study. The Directors expect that this submission will be made by early November with approval being granted by the end of the calendar year.
In the event that ZEMA approval is given, BMR intends to commence local sales of WKS, which would involve limited costs and could realise modest but meaningful revenues over several years. Disposing of the WKS in this manner would also provide an elegant solution to environmental issues associated therewith.
Alex Borrelli, CEO and Chairman of BMR, commented: "We are pleased to note this significant opportunity to realise cash from the Waelz Kiln Slag which we could not otherwise process easily and in an environmentally advantageous manner.
We therefore anticipate BMR generating revenue next year, following receipt of ZEMA approval, from both the processing of Wash Plant Tailings and the Waelz Kiln Slag"
Contact:
BMR Mining PLC 020 7734 6252
Alex Borrelli, CEO and Chairman
WH Ireland Limited 020 7220 1666
Chris Fielding, Head of Corporate Finance