25 Apr 2013 07:00
BERKELEY MINERAL RESOURCES
("BMR" or "The Company")
WASHPLANT TAILINGS PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY BEING CONCLUDED
Berkeley Mineral Resources Plc, the AIM-listed tailings processing Company, reports that Ascot Ltd ("Ascot"), its appointed processing consultants, has received the final batch of representative samples of the Washplant stockpiles sent to it from BMR's Kabwe mine-site in Zambia. Ascot is currently testing the samples and verifying its multi-gravity processing programme's ability to maximise recoveries.
A Pre-Feasibility Study for the processing of the Washplant tailings into a combined zinc and lead concentrate is to be issued by Ascot when the verification process is complete and finalised concentrate levels are established. Preliminary studies by Ascot show the project can produce commercially saleable concentrates in the current calendar year with robust economics.
In preparation for the commencement of processing operations, Enviro Processing Ltd, BMR's Zambian-registered subsidiary ("Enviro"), has been issued with a Processing Licence from the Zambian Ministry of Mines in Lusaka. Enviro has submitted its tailings Environmental Project Brief to the Zambian Environmental Management Agency and is expecting its approval within the next three weeks.
Further to the announcement of 12 March 2013, in addition to completing the Washplant Pre-Feasibility Study, Ascot is continuing to develop the processing programme for the Leachplant tailings at Kabwe.
Ascot's geological team will also be visiting Kabwe in early May to produce an Underground Scoping Study in co-operation with BMR's management. This will bring forward proposals to mine and process the partly-mined and un-mined underground ores still contained in the former Kabwe mine. Additionally, the Scoping Study will include an assessment for an exploration plan for the unexplored section of BMR's Licence area.
Masoud Alikhani, Chairman, commented:
"We are steadily working towards production and this is the final stage before BMR receives the Pre-Feasibility Study, after which we can finalise the production timetable for the processing of the Kabwe Washplant tailings.
"BMR understands that the Zambian authorities are supporting action to mitigate the environmental impact of surficial deposits of base metals in the country and the Company is grateful to the Zambian authorities for issuing the necessary approvals so that BMR can commence operations as soon as possible".
25 April 2013
This release has been reviewed by Dennis Human, B.Sc. (Hons), Bus. Admin (Hons), MGSSA, Consulting
Geologist to the Company, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the guidance note for Mining, Oil &
Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM Companies.
For further information please contact:
Berkeley Mineral Resources Plc
Masoud Alikhani, Chairman
020 7408 1181
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
Stewart Dickson / Julian Erleigh (Corporate Finance)
Jeremy Stephenson / Richard Redmayne (Corporate Broking)
Tel: 020 78947000
Lothbury Financial Services
Michael Padley /Gary Middleton
020 3440 7620