https://www.miningweekly.com

Mutamba mining lease applications being considered by Mozambique government

23rd April 2018

By: Simone Liedtke

Creamer Media Social Media Editor & Senior Writer

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mozambique’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy is “actively” considering that granting of three mining lease applications that form part of Aim-listed Savannah Resources’ Mutamba heavy mineral sands project.

The mine lease applications cover an area of 417.32 km² and comprise the Jangamo, Dongane, Ravene and Chilubane deposits.

Savannah is the operator of the Mutamba project, which it is developing in a consortium with Rio Tinto.

Savannah holds a 20% interest in the consortium and can increase its equity to 35% upon the delivery of a prefeasibility study (PFS), which is currently under way, and to 51% upon the delivery of a definitive feasibility study.

“While we await the outcome of government analysis, we continue to make progress in advancing some critical work streams at Mutamba. A sequenced scheduling of PFS activities has been agreed and key initial studies are either under way or about to start,” said Savannah CEO David Archer.

The studies include hydrology studies, port options and the collection of 10 t of sample material to aid in final product determination.

“These are all essential elements that will inform the PFS and the results of which will guide us in the infrastructure, power, mine planning and process plant requirements. It is an exciting time as we see the future mine plan form and take shape,” he enthused in a statement on Monday.

The applications, which are currently being reviewed, were submitted to the Ministry on January 18 and the mining cadastre reopened on April 2 following its annual closure.

The Ministry has six months from the date of the cadastre reopening to respond to the applications, although this can be an iterative process, Savannah noted.

Mining leases are generally awarded for a term of 25 years and can be renewed at the end of their terms.

Following extensive testing, the pilot plant has been placed under care and maintenance, as planned, while a bulk sample is obtained, and community development activities continue as part of the licensing process.

In addition, Savannah noted that the scoping phase of the PFS is now well advanced and the initial key studies for the PFS have been sequenced, with roll out under way, including further roasting testwork and a 10 t bulk sample to be collected from the Matilda licence.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Showroom image
Alcohol Breathalysers

Supplier & Distributor of the Widest Range of Accurate & Easy-to-Use Alcohol Breathalysers

VISIT SHOWROOM 
AutoX
AutoX

We are dedicated to business excellence and innovation.

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.106 0.14s - 106pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now