Wrap Text
Rukwa Definitive Mining Feasibility Study: Update & Project Name Change to Mbeya Coal to Power 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:IE00B97C0C31
("Kibo" or "the Company")
26 May 2015
Rukwa Definitive Mining Feasibility Study: Update & Project Name Change
to Mbeya Coal to Power Project
Kibo Mining plc ("Kibo" or the "Company") (AIM: KIBO; AltX: KBO), the Tanzania focussed
mineral exploration and development company is pleased to provide the market with a progress
update for the Rukwa Coal to Power Project, Phase 2, Stage 1, Definitive Mining Feasibility
Study ("DMFS"), and a formal renaming of the project, to better reflect the regional scale and size
of the project.
Highlights
DMFS remains on schedule and well within budget;
Trade-off studies identify potential for significant operating expenditure ("OPEX") reduction
increasing project value and profitability potential;
Blasting not required during the mining process with total over burden and inter-burden
minable through free-digging, materially decreasing OPEX;
Surface Continuous Miner proves to be feasible mining method;
Rukwa Coal to Power Project ("RCPP") renamed to Mbeya Coal to Power Project
("MCPP"), with immediate effect;
Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining, commented today: "We are extremely pleased with the
progress of the current phase of the DMFS (Pre - Feasibility Phase). As the studies progress and the
commercial and statutory discussions reach increasing levels of maturity, the Mbeya Coal to Power
Project (Previously called the Rukwa Coal to Power Project) continues to demonstrate robust and
improving project fundamentals.
Progress made to date continues to draw attention from third parties, particularly those expressing an
interest in investing directly at project level. In this regard the company remains in active discussions
with various investors and now sees regular additional enquiries from new supplementary third party
investment sources.
We are also very pleased with our new joint development partner SEPCO III, with whom an effective
and productive working relationship has already been established in a very short space of time."
DMFS - Summary of Latest Progress
The DMFS has now reached the mid- point and trade-off studies indicate that all overburden material
can be mined making use of free-digging and trucking. This will significantly reduce the coal mine
OPEX. It will also bring about a significantly safer operating environment since drilling and blasting will
no longer be required, eliminating the necessity for explosives on the mine site.
Even more exciting is the fact that the use of surface continuous mining equipment, identified as a
possible mining method during the Concept Study, proved feasible at this stage. This will allow precise
accuracy in extraction of the various coal seams and, more importantly, will eliminate the need for
washing coal, making it possible to deliver the raw mined product directly into the power plant. Apart
from the significant economic savings this will bring about, all of the above will also make significant
contributions towards a much safer and environmentally friendly mine operation.
Preliminary geotechnical evaluations also delivered positive results and did not identify any areas of
concern related to the coal mine development or power plant construction. An extensive geo-technical
investigation, including a geo-technical drill campaign at the RCPP site area amongst others, is
scheduled to commence within the next 10 - 18 days. Data and findings from the geo-technical study
will inform critical mine design criteria that will be required for work planned during Stage 2 of the
DMFS.
All other routine activities associated with the ongoing feasibility work are taking place in parallel and
remain on schedule as planned. Some of these activities include the establishment of a basic automated
weather station as well as a water testing hole. The latter will be drilled to support the mining
environmental assessment. Similarly, discussions and interaction with the Tanzanian Government are
ongoing as part of the process to finalise the various critical agreements between the MCPP and relevant
government agencies.
The Company has also decided to officially change the name Rukwa Coal to Power Project
("RCPP") to Mbeya Coal to Power Project ("MCPP"). The name change is aimed at avoiding
further confusion of the Company's coal to power project with similarly named projects, owned by
unrelated companies that have no relationship or association to Kibo or any of the Company's projects
in Tanzania. The project is at the same time making major strides forward towards plant construction
and generation and in the process unfolding the full extent of the MCPP's regional impact. The new
name will therefore also better reflect the regional impact and presence of the project.
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 Thšle
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
26 May 2015
Corporate and Designated Adviser
River Group
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