MONTEPUEZ RUBY PROJECT Desktop studies and fieldwork have been completed, with initial ruby targets identified for bulk sampling
ASX-listed junior miner Mustang Resources will start a trenching and drilling programme next month at its Montepuez ruby project, in northern Mozambique, to identify the most prospective target zones.
Mustang MD Christiaan Jordaan tells Mining Weekly that equipment for the bulk sampling programme is being mobilised and is expected to arrive at the site soon.
“Through this systematic trenching programme, potentially with some auger drilling, we will be able to identify where we will open our first bulk sampling pit.”
Jordaan says the pit will be either 50 m × 50 m or 100 m × 100 m, which will be operated using rotary pans.
The company will use two 16-foot rotary pans, each with a 600 t/d processing capacity for bulk material sampling and will initially process the sampled material using one rotary pan daily for an eight-hour shift.
Subject to confirming adequate ruby mineralisation, the intention is to scale up the processing plant to run both rotary pans for two eight-hour shifts, subsequently increasing capacity to about 2 400 t/d.
Final ruby recoveries will be done through hand sorting in enclosed glove-boxes under high security. An on-site gemmologist will clean, sort, classify and grade all recovered rubies.
Further, Jordaan notes that desktop studies and fieldwork have been completed, with initial ruby targets identified for bulk sampling. He adds that equipment mobilisation is an important step, “considerable work is occurring on the ground” and Mustang is committed to ensuring that this remains on track to allow for bulk sampling to start by June.
Jordaan explains that this programme will run for at least six months to December 2016 and will provide the building blocks for delineation of the ruby-bearing horizons and completion of a Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant technical study.
“Subject to successful bulk sampling and recovery of rubies, Mustang intends to market and sell initial parcels by the end of this year through an established auction or tender processes.”
Moreover, he points out that work is under way to complete the required environmental management plan and all local government and community engagements prior to June: “The Mustang team in Mozambique has significant experience in completing all the required protocols and approvals required for the bulk sampling programme.”
He says that, subject to the positive outcome of the Jorc resource, the exploration work and receiving the required mining permits, the company will scale up its bulk sampling activities to a full-scale commercial gemstone mine.
Current planning will enable the company to make an investment decision on scaling up mining by the second half of 2017. Jordaan says the aim during the period leading up to this point will be to carry on with bulk sampling activities to continue generating revenues and gain additional confidence in the resource.
“Given the active works programme and ramp-up to bulk sampling works, we will update shareholders regularly on the mobilisation and ongoing works at the site. “This is an exciting time for Mustang and its shareholders and we intend to exploit full value from Montepuez,” he concludes.