Last checked at 8 Apr 2015 08:00
Kibo Mining Plc (Incorporated in Ireland)
(Registration Number: 451931)
(External registration number: 2011/007371/10)
Share code on the JSE Limited:KBO
Share code on the AIM: KIBO
ISIN: IE00B97C0C31
("Kibo" or "the Company")
Dated: 08 April 2015
Imweru - Operational Update
Kibo Mining Plc ("Kibo" or the "Company") (AIM:KIBO; JSE AltX: KBO), the Tanzania focused mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to update the market with regard to the latest operational developments at the Company's advanced gold project, the Imweru Gold Project ("Imweru").
Highlights
· Commencement of Stage 1, Phase 2 (the Pre-Feasibility Study) of the Imweru Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") ;
· Site visit by Qualified Persons ("QP") to the planned Imweru Gold Mine site confirms conclusions and assumptions from Preliminary Economic Assessment;
Louis Coetzee, Chief Executive Officer of Kibo Mining plc, commented: "We continue to make rapid advances in the development of the Company's flagship projects and it is therefore very pleasing to confirm to market the continuation of Feasibility Study work at Imweru, particularly as successful completion of this work is a vital step prior to mine construction and early production in the near term, but also towards securing development funding for the project.
The Kibo team is committed to maintain and further accelerate the rapid progress we have achieved recently on all of the Company's projects, and the proactive approach to completion of the Feasibility work on both Imweru and the Rukwa Coal to Power Project is welcomed by all the current and prospective stakeholders of Kibo."
Summary of Imweru work to date
Kibo Mining is working progressively through the Feasibility Study required to enable Imweru to move into the construction phase leading to early production in the near term. To date Kibo has undertaken the following feasibility work:
· JORC Compliant Competent Persons Report on the Imweru Gold Resource
· Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on the gold resource;
Next Steps for the Imweru Feasibility Studies
The next stage of project development work will involve completion of definitive feasibility studies on the multi-pit gold mine, inclusive of the associated environmental assessments and advanced financial modelling for the Imweru Project. The definitive feasibility work will also include securing all related permits and / or rights with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and other government departments and agencies. Completion of the DFS' will advance Imweru to financial close and early production.
To date, all the required planning and preparation for Stage 1, Phase 2 (the Pre-Feasibility Study, or "PFS") of the Imweru Definitive Feasibility Study has been completed, and the first scheduled work activities of the PFS, comprising primarily of a site visit to the Imweru gold project site, has also been completed. The site visit was conducted by technical experts from Minxcon Projects and the visit confirmed conclusions and assumptions from the PEA.
The Imweru PFS is defined as a comprehensive study of the viability of a range of options that has advanced to a stage at which the preferred pit configuration has been established and an effective method of mineral processing has been determined.
The range of options to be investigated during the MPFS, consist of the following:
· Owner-operated Mining Option
· Contractor-operated Mining Option
The Imweru PFS includes a financial analysis based on realistic assumptions of technical, engineering, operating and economic factors and the evaluation of other relevant factors that are sufficient for a Competent Person, acting reasonably, to determine if all or part of the Mineral Resource may be classified as a Mineral Reserve. The overall confidence level of Imweru will be advanced to 70 - 85% from the current 40 - 50%.
Additional to the Imweru PFS, the potential to expand known mineral deposits and to advance new target areas will be investigated and assessed.
Contacts
Louis Coetzee | +27 (0) 83 2606126 | Kibo Mining plc | Chief Executive Officer |
Andreas Lianos | +27 (0) 83 4408365 | River Group | Corporate Adviser and Designated Adviser on JSE |
Elliot Hance | +44 (0) 207 382 8300 | Beaufort Securities Limited | Broker |
Oliver Morse | +61 8 9480 2500 | RFC Ambrian Limited | Nominated Adviser on AIM |
Daniel Thöle Lucinda Alderson | +44 (0) 203 772 2500
| Bell Pottinger | Investor and Media Relations |
Kibo Mining - Notes to editors
Kibo Mining is listed on the AIM market in London and the AltX in Johannesburg. The Company is focused on exploration and development of mineral projects in Tanzania, and controls one of Tanzania's largest mineral right portfolios. Tanzania provides a secure and stable operating environment for the mineral resource industry and Kibo Mining therein.
Kibo Mining holds a thermal coal deposit at Rukwa, which has a significant JORC compliant defined resource (See Table 1 below), and is developing a 250-350MW mouth-of-mine thermal power station with an established management team that includes Standard Bank as Financial Advisor. Kibo is undertaking a Coal Mining Definitive Feasibility Study and a Power Pre-Feasibility Study for Rukwa.
The Company also has extensive gold focused interests including Lake Victoria Goldfields and Morogoro projects. At Lake Victoria, the Company has projects with a 550,000oz JORC compliant gold Mineral Resource at Imweru Project (See Table 2 below) and a 168,000oz NI 43-101 compliant gold Mineral Resource at the Lubando Project (See Table 3 below) in which the Company holds a 90% attributable interest. The Company is currently undertaking a Definitive Feasibility Study on its Imweru Project.
Kibo also holds the Haneti Project on which the latest technical report confirms prospectivity for nickel, PGMs, gold and strategic metals including Lithium.
Kibo Mining further holds the Pinewood (coal & uranium) project where the company has signed a MOU to enter into a 50/50 Exploration Joint Venture with Metal Tiger plc.
Finally the Company also holds the Morogoro (gold) project where the company has signed a MOU to enter into a 50/50 Exploration joint Venture with Metal Tiger plc.
The Company's projects are located in the established and gold prolific Lake Victoria Goldfields, the emerging goldfields of eastern Tanzania and the Mtwara Corridor in southern Tanzania where the Government has prioritised infrastructural development attracting significant recent investment in coal and uranium. The Company has a positive working relationship with the Tanzanian government at local, regional and national levels and works hard to maintain positive relationships with all communities where company interests are held. The Company recognises the potential to enhance the quality of life and opportunity for Tanzanian citizens through careful development of its projects.
Updates on the Company's activities are regularly posted on its website www.kibomining.com
Technical data
Rukwa Mineral Resource
Table 1 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Rukwa Coal Project. The table is taken from an NI 43 101-Compliant Report by GEMECS (Pty) Ltd dated April 2012.
Table 1
RUKWA COAL RESOURCE SUMMARY- GEMECS (Pty) Ltd | |||
| SEAM | NI 43-101 | IN SITU |
SEAM | THICKNESS | CLASS | MILLION TONS |
S4 | 1.14 | Indicated | 2.17 |
S3U | 2.04 | Indicated | 6.92 |
S3L | 2.3 | Indicated | 12.63 |
S2 | 3.45 | Indicated | 23.43 |
S1U | 2.48 | Indicated | 7.34 |
S1L | 2.92 | Indicated | 17.4 |
S0 | 1.08 | Indicated | 1.44 |
Total Indicated Resources |
| 71.34 | |
S4 | 1.31 | Inferred | 1.38 |
S3U | 2.24 | Inferred | 2.94 |
S3L | 2.27 | Inferred | 3.86 |
S2 | 3.42 | Inferred | 7.94 |
S1U | 2.05 | Inferred | 6.5 |
S1L | 3.15 | Inferred | 12.83 |
S0 | 1.06 | Inferred | 2.6 |
Total Inferred Resources |
| 38.05 | |
TOTAL RESOURCES |
| *109.39 | |
*Kibo holds 100% of the Rukwa Mineral Resource
Imweru Mineral Resource
Table 2 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Imweru Project at a base case economic cut-off grade for the reporting of the resource of 0.4 g/t. The table is taken from a JORC-Compliant Report by Tetra Tech EBA dated February 2014.
Table 2
Area | Material Type |
Classification | Cut- off (g/t) | Specific Gravity | Metric Tonnes (t) |
Short Tons | Gold Grade (g/t) | Contained Gold Ounces (troy) |
Central | Laterite | Indicated | 0.40 | 2.50 | 131,000 | 144,000 | 1.785 | 8,000 |
Saprolite | Indicated | 0.40 | 2.50 | 706,000 | 778,000 | 1.387 | 32,000 | |
Bedrock | Indicated | 0.40 | 2.89 | 1,895,000 | 2,089,000 | 1.043 | 64,000 | |
Total | Indicated | 0.40 | 2.77 | 2,732,000 | 3,012,000 | 1.168 | 103,000 | |
Central |
| |||||||
Laterite | Inferred | 0.40 | 2.50 | 685,000 | 755,000 | 1.317 | 29,000 | |
Saprolite | Inferred | 0.40 | 2.50 | 1,047,000 | 1,154,000 | 1.040 | 35,000 | |
Bedrock | Inferred | 0.40 | 2.89 | 7,838,000 | 8,640,000 | 1.029 | 259,000 | |
Total | Inferred | 0.40 | 2.82 | 9,569,000 | 10,548,000 | 1.051 | 323,000 | |
| ||||||||
East | Total | Inferred | 0.40 | 2.70 | 2,653,000 | 2,925,000 | 1.449 | 124,000 |
| ||||||||
Imweru Property Total | Indicated | 0.4 | 2.77 | 2,732,000 | 3,012,000 | 1.168 | 103,000 | |
Inferred | 0.4 | 2.79 | 12,222,000 | 13,473,000 | 1.137 | 447,000 | ||
Combined (inf+ind) | 0.4 | 2.79 | 14,954,000 | 16,485,000 | 1.143 | 550,000 | ||
*Kibo holds 90% of the Imweru Mineral Resource
* Total estimates are rounded, based on composites capped at 26 g/t gold at Imweru Centraland 25 g/t at Imweru East, the cut-off grade isbased on a gold price of US$1,200 and a 90% metallurgical recovery is assumed in calculation of cut-offgrade. A base case of 0.40 g/t has been selected.
** Classification of MineralResources incorporates the terms and definitions from the Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) published bythe Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC)
Lubando Mineral Resource
Table 3 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Lubando Project at a base case economic cut-off grade for the reporting of the resource of 0.5 g/t Au. The table is taken from an NI 43 101-Compliant Report by EBA Engineering Consultants Limited (now part Tetra Tech EBA) dated August 2009.
TABLE3: LUBANDO MINERALRESOURCE SUMMARY - BASECASE* | |||||
Category |
West Zone | East Zone South |
East Zone Mid | East Zone North |
Total |
Measured Resource |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured Resource(t) | 107,900 | 4,880 | 16,900 | 54,440 | 184,150 |
Grade(g/t) | 1.69 | 2.52 | 1.72 | 2.48 | 1.95 |
Total Gold(oz) | 5,900 | 400 | 950 | 4,340 | 11,500 |
Indicated Resource |
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated Resource(t) | 280,710 | 18,330 | 61,000 | 149,350 | 509,420 |
Grade(g/t) | 1.61 | 2.23 | 1.89 | 2.73 | 1.99 |
Total Gold(oz) | 14,500 | 1,300 | 3,700 | 13,120 | 32,600 |
Inferred Resource |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Resource(t) | 1,090,000 | 65,470 | 209,340 | 535,330 | 1,900,140 |
Grade(g/t) | 1.27 | 1.56 | 3.34 | 3.13 | 2.03 |
Total Gold(oz) | 44,550 | 3,300 | 22,500 | 53,900 | 124,200 |
*Kibo holds 90% of the Lubando Mineral Resource
* Numbers are rounded. Composites capped at 10.85g/t gold. Cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t gold based on a gold price of US$850/oz and assumed 100% metallurgical recovery.CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
Pursuant to the terms of an inherited agreement with Barrick East Africa Exploration LTD (BEAL), Kibo currently has an effective 90% interest in the Imweru and Lubando Project (and thus a 90% attributable interest in the Imweru and Lubando Mineral Resources shown in Table 2 and 3 above), with Barrick having a 10% carried interest up to a decision to mine at which point they have to contribute or be diluted to a 2% net smelter royalty. BEAL also has a first right of refusal pursuant to which they can buy the 90% interest in the project at an agreed market related value after completion of a Bankable Feasibility Study. Kibo remains the operator of the project.
Review by Qualified Persons
The information in this announcement that relates to the Rukwa Coal Mineral Resource is taken from a report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Rukwa Coal Project, Mbeya Region, United Republic of Tanzania" dated 19th April 2012 by CD van Niekerk Director and Principal Geologist with the firm GEMECS (Pty) Ltd. Mr van Niekerk is a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), Registration No. 400066/98 and a Fellow Member of the Geological Society of South Africa. He has relevant experience and technical qualifications to be a "Qualified Person" for reporting coal resources to the NI 43-101 Standard.
Information in this announcement that relates to the Imweru Mineral Resource is taken from the report titled "Resource Update for the Imweru Property Geita Region Northern, Tanzania, JORC Competent Persons Report" dated February 17th 2014 (the "Report"). The Report states a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource estimate and was prepared for Kibo Mining plc by James Barr P.Geo. and Darryn Hitchcock P.Geo. Senior Geologist and Geologist respectively with TetraTech EBA Ltd. Both Mr. Barr and Mr. Hitchcock are registered as Certified Professional Geologists with Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia a recognised professional organisation. Mr Barr as principal author responsible for the Report has experience in the evaluation and reporting of Archaean Gold projects and is a "Qualified Person" for reporting gold resources to the JORC Standard. He consents to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which they appears.
The information in this announcement that relates to the Lubando Mineral Resources is taken from a report titled "Technical Report on the Lubando property, Mwanza, Tanzania" dated 31st August 2009" (the "Report") The Report is NI 43-101 compliant and was prepared for Great Basin Gold Rusaf Gold Limited by Nathan Eric Fier C.P.G., P.Eng. Market Director for EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd and a Senior Mining Consultant. Mr. Fieris registered as a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists, Registration No 10062, and a professional Engineer in British Columbia, Canada Registration No. 135165. He has extensive experience in the evaluation and reporting of Archaean Gold projects.
The Company's Exploration Director, Noel O'Keeffe has reviewed the content of this announcement including resource reports and the references to them.
Johannesburg
08 April 2015
Corporate and Designated Adviser
River Group