25 Jun 2015 07:00
BMR Mining PLC
("BMR" or the "Company")
Results of the Metallurgical Test Programme
The Company is pleased to announce that the metallurgical test programme, announced on 14 April 2015, on the Wash Plant Tailings ("WPT") and Leach Plant Residue Tailings ("LPR") using an acid/brine leaching process to recover lead and zinc has been successful.
The objective of the metallurgical test programme was to confirm the technical viability of the acid/brine leach process for the extraction of lead and zinc from the WPT and LPR. The metallurgical testing was conducted by Kupfermelt CC at their laboratory in South Africa, under review by Dr Geoff Casson, General Manager of the Company's Zambian subsidiary, Enviro Processing Ltd.
The results demonstrated high metal recoveries from both the WPT and LPR of circa 80% Pb, 70% Zn, and 80% Pb, 50% Zn, respectively, into a pregnant liquor solution from which both lead and zinc could be extracted by precipitation and also zinc alone by electro winning.
Liquid residue discharges from the process were non-toxic.
As a result, the Company is able to establish the mass, pulp and water parameters required for the construction of the planned pilot plant at Kabwe. It is therefore now focussing on the design and construction of the pilot plant and intends to source the majority of requisite equipment in-country.
Process for ZEMA Application
The Company has contracted JA Consultancy, based in Lusaka, Zambia, an Environmental Specialist organisation, to prepare, present and assist in securing approval for a further Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) from ZEMA (Zambia Environmental Management Agency).
JA Consultancy is led by Dr Jewette Masinja who obtained an MSc in Minerals Engineering at Birmingham University and a PhD in Mineral Processing at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Dr Masinja has in-depth knowledge of environmental management in the mining industry. On behalf of the Zambian Government in 1997 and 1998, he developed the national mining environmental legislation which is currently in force in Zambia, specifically the Mines and Minerals (Environmental) Regulations Statutory Instrument No 29 of 1997 and the Environmental Protection Fund Regulations, Statutory Instrument No 102 of 1998.
BMR believes that Dr Masinja and his team are particularly well qualified to secure ZEMA's approval for the planned pilot plant within the requisite time frame, having undertaken similar projects with a track record of successfully securing approvals from ZEMA.
JA Consultancy has already started its assignment, and the process of community consultation in Kabwe as required by the Terms of Reference, for presentation to ZEMA.
Appointment of a Process Engineer
BMR is pleased to announce that the Company has engaged the services of Edward Musonda, an experienced metallurgist, to work under the direction of Dr Geoff Casson on the process design of the Kabwe Pilot Plant.
Mr Musonda holds a Bachelor of Mineral Sciences (B.Min.Sc) Degree in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing from the University of Zambia and has over 20 years' experience in mineral processing of gold and base metals with Anglo America, Gold Fields, Bateman Engineering Projects and ZCCM Investments Holdings ("ZCCM"). He worked for ZCCM in R&D at the Anglo American Research Laboratory, involving gold and base metal pilot plant testing; and, for Gold Fields, on refractory gold ores bio-oxidation R&D as a Project Engineer, designing gold processing plants. In addition, he has led metallurgical teams, undertaken feasibility studies and managed projects from construction through to production.
Alex Borrelli, Chairman, commented: "We are pleased to announce the results of the metallurgical test programme as a prelude to the establishment of a pilot processing plant, which confirm acid/brine leaching as the appropriate method for extracting a viable precipitate from our valuable resources at Kabwe."
Ends
For further information:
BMR Mining PLC 020 7408 7580
Alex Borrelli, CEO and Chairman
WH Ireland Limited 020 7220 1666
Chris Fielding, Head of Corporate Finance