Wrap Text
Preliminary Economic Assessment Update – Imweru Gold Project
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: IE00B61XQX41
("Kibo" or "the Company")
16 December 2014
Preliminary Economic Assessment Update - Imweru Gold Project
Kibo Mining plc ("Kibo" or the "Company") (AIM: KIBO; AltX: KBO), the Tanzania focussed
mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to confirm that the Company has now
received the final Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) Report in respect of the Imweru Gold
Project.
Background
The Company's announcement of 14th October 2014 confirmed the commissioning of a Definitive
Feasibility Study in respect of the Imweru Gold Project(the "Imweru DFS"), situated in the Lake
Victoria Goldfields, Tanzania. The project is 90% owned by Kibo Mining plc with the remaining
10% held by Barrick East Africa Exploration Limited. The Imweru DFS is being undertaken by
Minxcon Projects and Stage 1 of the Imweru DFS is a PEA, the subject of the report now
received. We would like to thank the team at Minxcon Projects for their hard work and
professionalism in the timely delivery of this key report.
It is the Company's stated intention to secure the earliest possible value crystallisation through
commercial development of its key projects, one of which is the Imweru Gold Project. At the
point of commissioning the Imweru DFS, the Company had been able to confirm that in respect of
the Imweru Project:
* there was sufficient JORC compliant gold Mineral Resources (550,000 total ounces) to
support early production;
* here was a high degree of confidence that additional exploration would add to the resource
inventory to supplement existing resources and extend prospective mine life;
* mineralisation appeared suitable for traditional processing methodologies and that feed ore
would be suitable for a variety of processing options; and
* substantial localised infrastructure exists, recognising the considerable gold exploration and
mining activities already undertaken in the region.
The PEA was intended to build on the work completed historically, and provide an indication as to
the potential economic value of the greater Imweru gold project and notably, the cash flow early
production could provide to the Company, with a view to assist the Company to become self-
funding at the earliest opportunity. It is therefore important to note that early production at Imweru
Central is primarily aimed at providing funding support for the full production potential of the
greater Imweru gold deposit and not Imweru Central only.
PEA Report Overview
We are pleased to confirm that the findings from the PEA study are positive in terms of the
objectives stated above and confirm, and in certain key respects exceed, the Company's
expectations with regard to the inherent technical and commercial value of the project.
Notably, the forecast free cash flow to be delivered by the project is expected to be sufficient to
fund the future development of Imweru as well as ongoing exploration and development at the
Company's remaining Lake Victoria Gold Projects. It could also potentially supplement funding at
the Company's Haneti project, where there is considerable prospectivity for nickel sulphides,
PGMs, gold, lithium and tantalum/niobium.
Detailed PEA Report Announcement to follow
We are currently undertaking a review of the PEA Report and will update shareholders as soon as
possible detailing the key report findings and outlining the options available.
Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining plc said "For some time we have stated our belief that the
Kibo assets, both individually and collectively, have considerable value. We have sought to
confirm this belief through the commissioning of independent Competent Person's Reports, having
recognised that without independent verification the market could not properly and fairly value
the Company.
We are therefore delighted that this PEA Report has delivered positive findings, particularly as it
demonstrates we have a robust and attractive gold project in the Lake Victoria area, something
which provides value for shareholders but which represents only one commodity of the four
commodities in the Kibo asset portfolio and only one of the Company's seven gold projects.
Following our technical review and full report to shareholders on this PEA, our focus will be
optimised commercialisation. The quality of the data and the technical findings thus far has
provided various options as to how this project can be progressed, all of which have distinct
advantages.
We would also remind readers that the Company announced on 11th December 2014 receipt of the
Power Pre-Feasibility Report for the Rukwa Coal to Power Project. Technical review of that
report is in progress and we will be reporting in detail on the positive findings as soon as
possible.
Furthermore, we would also note that your company remains active in a number of additional
areas including:
* Haneti geochemical work and partner discussions;
* Due diligence completion and planning for the Joint Venture with Metal Tiger plc at the
Pinewood Uranium project;
* discussions to secure a partner for development of our Morogoro Gold Project.
Therefore, alongside the significant developments at our Rukwa Coal to Power Project and our
Imweru Gold Project, your company is pushing ahead in numerous areas and will report on each
area as events transpire.
We recognise that extensive news is flowing out to market in this period. To assist the market's
understanding of the Kibo asset portfolio we will release before year end an operational and
strategic overview for the Company covering and summarising all areas of operations, current
status and forward looking plans."
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
Jon Belliss
Abigail Wayne
+44 (0) 20 3693 1470
Hume Capital Securities Plc
Broker
Oliver Morse and Trinity McIntyre
+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 with initial findings to be released in the near term.
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 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, with Preliminary Economic Assessment study findings
to be released in the near term.
Kibo also holds the Haneti Nickel Project on which the latest technical report confirms
prospectivity for nickel, PGMs, gold and strategic metals including Lithium.
Kibo Mining also 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.
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 Classification Cut-off Specific Metric Short Tons Gold Contained Gold
Type (g/t) Gravity Tonnes (t) Grade
(g/t) 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
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 Central and 25 g/t at Imweru East, the cut-off grade is
based on a gold price of US$1,200 and a 90% metallurgical recovery is assumed in calculation of cut-off grade. A base case of 0.40 g/t
has been selected.
** Classification of Mineral Resources incorporates the terms and definitions from the Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) published by the 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 MINERAL RESOURCE 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) 1.6 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) 1.6 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) 1.2 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 resource reports and the references
to them in this announcement.
Johannesburg
16 December 2014
Corporate and Designated Adviser
River Group
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