Weatherly International Plc Regulatory News (WTI)

9 Nov 2006 07:03

Weatherly International PLC09 November 2006 Weatherly International plc Kombat surface mining underway ahead of possible major project The AIM-quoted mining group Weatherly International plc ('Weatherly')has started initial work on an open-pit mining operation alongside theunderground workings at its Kombat copper mining complex in northern Namibia. The move to exploit near-surface deposits has come about following the recenttake-over of Kombat licence holder, Ongopolo Mining and Processing Ltd. Weatherly Chief Executive Rod Webster said: "While we are continuing withour work to de-water lower levels of the old mine, the sheer size of our targetzone provides an opportunity to transform the Kombat area to a major open cutmine C an approach previously ignored." Few of the historic underground workings at Kombat extended to surface, leavinga resource up to 200 metres deep that may carry economic grades of ore.Weatherly has embarked on a drilling programme to assess the extent ofmineralization along a broad corridor up to 200 metres wide extending east some4 kilometres from the Kombat No 1 shaft. It aims to complete sufficient drillingby the year end to begin assessing results ahead of full feasibility drillingfor a larger open cast project. Average grades from historic drilling samples are around 1% copper, with amixture of oxide and sulphide mineralisation. Initial metallurgical worksuggests even near-surface mineralisation will provide acceptable recoveriesthrough a conventional flotation plant. There are currently two mini-drills andtwo reverse circulation (RC) rigs drilling the area, and another three RC rigsare expected later in November. The initial development work now underway is being carried out by Lewcor Mining,a joint venture between earth-moving contractor Lewcor and Labour InvestmentHoldings (LIH). The work is expected to accelerate as new equipment arrives onsite. Current underground activity at Kombat is centred on the Asis West shaft, wheretwo drill rigs are actively testing mineralisation in areas already de-watered.Some ore production is in progress, and Weatherly is now building up a reservebase to underpin further de-watering of the mine. For further information contact: John Norris, Weatherly International plc: +44 (0) 20 7917 2989 +44 (0) 7929 778 251Allan Piper, First City Financial Public Relations: +44 (0) 20 7436 7486 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange