Photo by: Bloomberg
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – After delivering 268 000 t of iron-ore to market thus far this year, Aim-listed Bellzone Mining’s 50%-owned Forecariah joint venture (FJV) operation, in Guinea, is now in dispute with its contracted barge operator.
The iron-ore producer said in a statement on Friday that it had recently been informed that the FJV, which has 68 000 t of material ready for shipping, was in dispute with its contracted barge operator at the Konta port over issues raised by management on safety performance, the efficiency of operations and other charges.
FJV is a 50:50 JV between Bellzone and the China International Fund.
“FJV management is in discussion with the trans-shipper and does not expect to make shipments until the dispute is resolved. The dispute has not impacted production,” said the company.
Bellzone also announced on Friday that a legal case that had been brought against the FJV in Guinea by a former contractor alleging an outstanding payment for construction works had been formally dismissed, with costs, in the Court of Appeal, in Conakry.