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Prefeasibility study nearing completion

13th September 2013

  

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Australia-based resources company Blackthorn Resources (BTR) reports that the prefeasibility study (PFS) work for its Kitumba project at the Mumbwa copper/gold mine, in Zambia, is currently being completed.

The PFS is targeting an underground operation focused on the high-grade core of the deposit, using a combination of flotation and solvent extraction and electrowinning processing technology, states BTR.

“Additional assay results from Phase 7 drilling are also expected in the near future, with the next batch expected to be released to the market during this month. There is visual evidence of mineralisation in core samples taken from the infill drilling programme, with readings taken by the hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyser indicating further high-grade copper results,” says BTR MD Scott Lowe.

He adds that BTR intends to review and update the Kitumba mineral resource statement once all the results from the about 8 000 m of drilling from the 14 holes in this phase have been received.

Following completion of Phase 7, BTR will undertake a review of the data and the geo- logical model and reassess its exploration plans for Kitumba and other areas on the Mumbwa project.

Prefeasibility Study
The company reports that work on the study is progressing well, with all relevant PFS work now awarded. Australia-based engineering and project management company Lycopodium Minerals is managing the PFS with key contributions from mining software consultant RungePincockMinarco Global, engineering consultant Pells Sullivan Meynink, mineral processing services company BV Amdel, consulting engineer Knight Piesold and ecological services company Africa Geo-Environmental Services. BTR has also appointed a study manager to coordinate the overall study programme and delivery.

“The key PFS deliverable will report the economic potential of a project, delivering copper concentrate to suitable smelters, based on design and cost estim- ation. The PFS is building on the scoping study outcomes from September 2012 and includes incorporating the revised 2013 Kitumba mineral resource esti- mate and geological model, based on the recently completed Phase 6 drilling programme. Importantly, the recent Kitumba update is based on a greatly improved understanding of the Kitumba deposit and it is evident that there is a high degree of consistency within the indicated area,” he explains.

BTR mentions that an integral part of the PFS will be the evaluation of both underground and openpit mining methods. The updated Kitumba mineral resource estimate suggests a larger prestrip than estimated in the scoping study. Work on a revised openpit design and economic evaluation will be included in the PFS and compared with an underground alternative.

Subject to the PFS outcomes, a more advanced definitive study later in 2013, and into 2014, will be undertaken, based on the preferred mining and processing design.

Previous Drilling Phase
The Phase 6 drilling programme started in July 2012 and included 19 holes within the Kitumba deposit area, as well as drilling on satellite targets within the broader Mumbwa project area, for a total of 15 970 m.

“Drilling within the Kitumba deposit area has clearly defined the limits of mineralisation to the east and to the south. However, modelling indicates that the deposit is open to the west and north-west,” notes Lowe, highlighting that the drill testing of selected Orion three-dimensional chargeability anomalies late in the Phase 6 programme has confirmed further mineralisation to the north-west and the results for these holes are pending, while a grid of drill holes planned to test this area is being considered.

Also, Lowe notes that the potential for additional hypogene mineralisation at depth has been demonstrated by the deepening of hole S36_032 during the course of Phase 6.

BTR mentions that with the completion of the resource modelling work and recalculation of the Kitumba mineral resource, the drill rigs will now be remobilised to site to conduct further resource definition and step-out drilling on the Kitumba deposit area.

Infill drilling will be focused on increasing the geological confidence and converting a portion of the indicated resource to the measured category, while the step-out drilling will target resource extension to the west and north-west of the deposit.

The drill pattern is currently being designed for an initial campaign of 5 000 m. On completion of this drilling, a technical review of results will be con- ducted before further drilling continues. BTR has made provision for drilling totalling $4.25-million for the remainder of 2013.

Regional Exploration
Ongoing work within the Mumbwa project area has contributed to an improved understanding of the broader mineral system. The presence of a separate mineralised system at the Kakozhi prospect, 5 km north-west of Kitumba, was confirmed during the Phase 6 drilling programme, states BTR.

“There are currently three holes drilled at Kakozhi and two at the nearby Mutoya prospect, which require follow-up interpretation and drill testing. Within the Mumbwa project area, there are a number of additional targets prospective for iron oxide/copper/gold ore-style mineral- isation identified through remodelling and reinterpretation of airborne falcon geophysical data,” highlights Lowe.

The targets generated during the last field season at the Kachindu and Musafwa mining exploration site tenements also require follow-up. These include surface geochemical anomalies and geophysical anomalies, including targets under the Karoo covering sediments along the worm at Mushingashi. Modelling indicates sediment thickness over these targets ranges between 80 m and 200 m.

Lowe points out that site visits by key consultants have also been carried out and appropriate contacts established with relevant Zambian government departments and local authorities. “From these early contacts, it is clear that the Kitumba project will benefit from other significant and increased mining industry development currently occurring in Zambia,” he says.

BTR notes that key infrastruc- ture components of power and water supply, site access and oper- ations staffing have been identified as readily available under global mining practice conditions. Also, an environmental- impact assessment is well advanced and is scheduled to be completed in the timeframe of the PFS.

“There has been considerable progress made at Kitumba and we continue to see positive economic potential in the project. The PFS is progressing well and is an essential step in preparing an application for a mining licence later in the year. We look forward to receiving the final results of the metallurgical testing and the outcomes of the PFS study, the results of which will be announced to the market as soon as they are finalised.

“The remobilisation of drill rigs in the near future will allow us to carry out further infill drilling, targeting a potential upgrade of the Kitumba mineral resource, to include a portion in the measured category, as well as step-out drilling to assess potential for mineral resource extension,” concludes Lowe.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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