TIDMBMN
RNS Number : 7534W
Bushveld Minerals Limited
16 November 2017
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have
been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this
announcement.
16 November 2017
Bushveld Minerals Ltd
("Bushveld" or the "Company")
Operational Update - Revised Mineral Resource and Reserve
Estimates for Vametco Mine
Bushveld Minerals Limited (AIM: BMN), a mineral project
development company with a portfolio of vanadium and coal assets in
Southern Africa and an investment in tin, is pleased to announce
revised Mineral Resource Estimates and Ore Reserves for Bushveld
Vametco Alloys (Proprietary) Limited's primary vanadium mine (the
"Vametco Mine") in Northwest Province, South Africa.
Following the acquisition of an effective 26 per cent stake in
the Vametco vanadium mine in April 2017, the Company's geologists
have been working with the Vametco Mine's management to identify
improvement opportunities at the mine. The focus has been on
enhancing grade control to ensure higher head grades, and thus
greater vanadium throughputs into the vanadium processing plant. As
part of this process, a complete review of previous Mineral
Resource Estimates and Reserve declarations has been completed.
Revised Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates have been
undertaken by The MSA Group and reported in accordance with the
JORC Code (2012).
Fortune Mojapelo, CEO of Bushveld Minerals, said:
"We have always believed in the value proposition of bringing
our geological expertise alongside the processing expertise of the
Vametco Mine's management team. The interrogation of the Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves at the Vametco Mine has shown that
the revised average vanadium grades for the reserves are more in
line with realised vanadium grades of the concentrate fed into the
kiln. This gives us even greater confidence about the operating
efficiencies of the Vametco ore preparation/concentrating plant as
we look to complete the second phase of the capacity expansion
project. We anticipate further work to continue improving
geological knowledge at the mine and to increase operating
efficiency and overall profitability at the operation."
Highlights
During this process, a number of historic drillholes were
identified as having erroneous assay data, including vanadium
values inconsistent with those reported during mining operations at
Vametco Mine. These erroneous drillholes have been discarded from
the database used for modelling and a revised Mineral Resource has
been estimated. Using this updated Mineral Resource, Ore Reserves
for the mine have also been updated. The following highlights are
noted:
-- Revised Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve numbers more
accurately reflect actual grades achieved at Vametco Mine
-- Total reported Mineral Resource tonnages for all three
magnetite seams have increased slightly from 138.62Mt to
142.4Mt
Upper Seam:
- Inferred Mineral Resources have increased in tonnage from
8.45Mt to 11.8Mt
- Magnetite percentage increasing from 23.56% to 37.86%
- V(2) O(5) in magnetite increasing from 0.71% to 1.70%
Intermediate Seam:
- Indicated Mineral Resources are no longer reported, and
Mineral Resources are all in the Inferred category
- Mineral Resources have increased slightly from 19.94Mt to
21.60Mt
- Magnetite percentage decreasing from 34.01% to 30.45%
- V(2) O(5) in magnetite decreasing from 2.35% to 1.87%
- Ore Reserves are no longer reported for the Intermediate Seam
(previously 0.35Mt of Probable Reserves were reported for this
seam)
Lower Seam:
- Both Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources are reported
- Indicated Mineral Resource tonnages have increased from
34.80Mt to 61.5Mt
- Indicated magnetite percentage decreasing from 29.64% to
27.23%
- Indicated V(2) O(5) in magnetite decreasing from 2.48% to
2.01%
- Inferred Mineral Resource tonnages have decreased from 75.43Mt
to 47.40Mt
- Inferred magnetite percentage increasing marginally from
29.09% to 29.75%
- Inferred V(2) O(5) in magnetite decreasing marginally from
2.02% to 1.99%
- Ore Reserve tonnages decreased from 26.42Mt to 26.12Mt
- Magnetite reserves percentage decreases from 29.76% to
26.79%
- V(2) O(5) in magnetite reserves decreasing from 2.54% to
1.96%
These revised estimates are the first step in ongoing
improvements in geological control at the Vametco mine operation.
Further work by the Bushveld Minerals geological team is expected
to more accurately delineate areas of Ore Reserves and to use this
information to improve grade control (and thereby reduce operating
costs) at Vametco mine.
Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimate for Vametco Mine as at 06
October 2017
Category Gross Net (26.6%)
----------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Magnetite % V(2) O(5) % Contained Tonnes Magnetite % V(2) O(5) % Contained
(millions) contained in Metal (millions) contained in Metal
magnetite Total magnetite Total
V(2) O(5) V(2) O(5)
(tonnes) (tonnes)
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Upper Seam
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred 11.8 37.86 1.70 75,947 3.14 37.86 1.70 20,202
---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Intermediate Seam
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred 21.6 30.45 1.87 122,994 5.75 30.45 1.87 32,716
---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Lower Seam
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated 61.5 27.23 2.01 336,604 16.36 27.23 2.01 89,537
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Inferred 47.4 29.75 1.99 280,620 12.61 29.75 1.99 74,645
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Sub-Total
Indicated 61.5 27.23 2.01 336,604 16.36 27.23 2.01 89,537
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Sub Total
Inferred 80.80 31.18 1.92 479,561 21.49 31.18 1.92 127,563
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Total
Inferred
+
Indicated 142.30 27.47 1.96 816,165 37.85 27.47 1.96 217,100
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ---------
Note: The operator of the mine is Bushveld Vametco Holdings
(Pty) Limited
No cut-off grades have been applied owing to the consistency and
uniformity of the Vametco mineralised seams
Mineral Resources are inclusive of Ore Reserves
Table 2: Ore Reserve Statement for Vametco Mine as at 16 October
2017
Category Gross Net (26.6%)
--------- ---------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Magnetite % V(2) O(5) % Contained Tonnes Magnetite % V(2) O(5) % Contained
(millions) contained in Metal (millions) contained in Metal
magnetite Total V magnetite Total V
(tonnes) (tonnes)
--------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ----------
Lower Seam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable 26.12 26.79 1.96 137,152 6.95 26.79 1.96 36,482
--------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ----------
Total 26.12 26.79 1.96 137,152 6.95 26.79 1.96 36,482
--------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- ----------
Note: The operator of the mine is Bushveld Vametco Holdings
(Pty) Limited.
The above figures assume a cut-off grade of 0.164 V(2) O(5) %
contained in magnetite.
Competent Persons Statement
The information contained in this press release relating to the
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Estimates for the Vametco
mine has been prepared under the supervision of Mr Philip Mostert
and Jeremy Witley of The MSA Group, Johannesburg South Africa.
Messrs Mostert and Witley are registered as Professional Scientists
with the South African Council for Professional Natural Scientific
Professions (SACNASP) which is a Recognised Professional
Organisation (RPO). Messrs Mostert and Witley are employed by MSA
and have sufficient experience which is relevant to the styles of
mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the
activity which they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for
Reporting of Mineral Resources" (the "JORC" Code). Messrs Mostert
and Witley have reviewed and approved this press release and
consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based
on their information in the form and context in which this
appears
Enquiries: info@bushveldminerals.com
Bushveld Minerals +27 (0) 11 268 6555
Fortune Mojapelo, Chief
Executive Officer
SP Angel Corporate Finance
LLP +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
Nominated Adviser & Broker
Ewan Leggat
Blytheweigh
Financial PR
Tim Blythe / Nick Elwes +44 (0) 20 7920 3150
Gabriella von Ille +27 (0) 711 121 907
Notes to editors
Bushveld Minerals is an AIM listed mineral project development
company with a portfolio of vanadium and coal assets in Southern
Africa, including interest in a vanadium-producing operation and an
investment in tin.
The Company's flagship platform, the vanadium platform, includes
the Mokopane Vanadium Project, the Brits Vanadium Project, and an
interest in Bushveld Vametco Alloys primary vanadium mining and
processing company. The coal platform comprises the wholly-owned
Imaloto Coal Project, which is being developed as one of
Madagascar's leading independent power producers. The Company's tin
interests are held through its shareholding in AIM listed AfriTin
Mining Limited.
Bushveld's vision is to become one of the largest low cost
integrated primary vanadium producers through owned low-cost
high-grade assets. This incorporates development and promotion of
the role of vanadium in the growing global energy storage market
through Bushveld Energy, the Company's energy storage solutions
provider. Whilst the demand for vanadium remains largely anchored
in a slow growing steel industry, Bushveld Minerals believes there
is a strong potential for imminent significant global vanadium
demand surge from the fast-growing energy storage market,
particularly through the use and adoption of Vanadium Redox Flow
Batteries.
The Company's approach to project development recognises that
whilst attractive project economics are imperative, they are
insufficient to secure capital to bring them to account. A clear
path to production with a visible timeframe, low capex requirements
and scalability are important factors in retaining an attractive
exit option. This philosophy is core to the Company's strategy in
developing projects.
Detailed information on the Company and progress to date can be
accessed on the website: www.bushveldminerals.com
Appendix 1 Previous Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimate
for the Vametco Mine (as at 31 December 2015)
Table 3
Previous Mineral Resource Estimate for Vametco Mine, 31 December 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mineralised Resource Tonnage (Mt) Percentage Percentage V Percentage SiO(2) (%) CaO (%)
Layer Category Magnetics in magnetics V(2) O(5) in
magnetics
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Upper Seam (US) Measured - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Indicated - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Measured and - - - - - -
Indicated
---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Inferred 8.45 23.56 0.59 0.71 1.34 0.31
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 8.45 23.56 0.59 0.71 1.34 0.31
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Intermediate Measured - - - - - -
Seam (IS)
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Indicated 0.37 28.30 1.69 3.02 1.64 0.33
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Measured and Indicated 0.37 28.30 1.69 3.02 1.64 0.33
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Inferred 19.56 34.12 1.46 2.34 1.64 0.33
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 19.94 34.01 1.46 2.35 1.64 0.33
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Lower Seam (LS) Measured - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Indicated 34.80 29.64 1.62 2.48 3.72 0.53
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Measured and Indicated 34.80 29.64 1.62 2.48 3.72 0.53
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Inferred 75.43 29.09 1.50 2.02 3.12 0.52
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 110.23 29.26 1.54 2.17 3.31 0.52
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total Measured - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Indicated 35.17 29.63 1.62 2.49 3.70 0.53
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Measured and Indicated 35.17 29.63 1.62 2.49 3.70 0.53
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Inferred 103.45 29.59 1.42 1.97 2.69 0.47
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 138.62 29.60 1.47 2.10 2.95 0.48
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Table 4
Previous Ore Reserve Statement for Vametco Mine, 31 December 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mineralised Reserve Category Tonnage (Mt) Percentage Percentage V Percentage SiO(2) (%) CaO (%)
Layer Magnetics in magnetics V(2) O(5) in
magnetics
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Upper Seam (US) Proved - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Probable - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 0 0 - - - -
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Intermediate Proved - - - - - -
Seams (IS)
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Probable 0.35 28.41 1.72 3.08 0 0
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 0.35 28.41 1.72 3.08 0 0
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Lower Seams Proved - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Probable 26.42 29.78 1.63 2.54 3.61 0.5
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 26.42 29.78 1.63 2.54 3.61 0.5
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total Proved - - - - - -
---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Probable 26.77 29.76 1.63 2.55 3.56 0.49
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Total 26.77 29.76 1.63 2.55 3.56 0.49
--------------------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- -------
Appendix 2: DEFINITIONS OF EXPLORATION RESULTS, RESOURCES &
RESERVES
EXTRACTED FROM THE JORC CODE: (December 2012) (www.jorc.org)
A 'Mineral Resource' is a concentration or occurrence of
material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth's crust
in such form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity,
grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral
Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific
geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are
sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into
Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.
An 'Inferred Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral
Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be
estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from
geological evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or
grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches,
pits, workings and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain
quality and reliability.
An 'Indicated Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral
Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical
characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a
reasonable level of confidence. It is based on exploration,
sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes. The locations are too widely or
inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or grade
continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be
assumed.
A 'Measured Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource
for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics,
grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of
confidence. It is based on detailed and reliable exploration,
sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough
to confirm geological and/or grade continuity.
An 'Ore Reserve' is the economically mineable part of a Measured
and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials
and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is
mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out,
and include consideration of and modification by realistically
assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal,
environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments
demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could
reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are sub-divided in order of
increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore
Reserves.
Technical Glossary
Anorthosite An intrusive igneous rock characterized
by a predominance of plagioclase
feldspar
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Bushveld Complex A large layered igneous intrusion
located in north-eastern South
Africa that contains some of
the richest ore deposits on
Earth.
------------------ ---------------------------------------
DTM Digital Terrain Model: a digital
model or 3D representation of
the surface of a terrain geological
units surface
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Disseminated Scattered or spread, in this
case referring to magnetite
within anorthosite
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Drillhole A hole drilled in the ground,
usually for exploratory purposes
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Fault A fracture or fracture zone,
along which displacement of
opposing sides has occurred.
------------------ ---------------------------------------
FW (foot wall) The block of rock positioned
below a geological unit, mineralised
layer or fault
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Gabbro A coarse-grained, dark-colored,
intrusive igneous rock composed
mainly of the minerals plagioclase
and augite (pyroxene).
------------------ ---------------------------------------
HW (hanging wall) The block of rock positioned
above a geological unit, mineralised
layer or fault
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Intermediate Seam The magnetite-enriched unit
at Vametco mine between the
Upper Seam and Lower Seam
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Lower Seam The lowermost magnetite-enriched
unit at Vametco mine
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Mafic intrusion An igneous intrusion comprising
minerals which are iron- or
magnesium-rich, and are generally
dark in colour
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Magnetite A magnetic iron oxide mineral
with the formula Fe(3) O(4)
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Metallurgical Relating to the technique or
science of separating metals
from their ores
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Mineralisation The formation or presence of
economically important metals
in the rock mass
------------------ ---------------------------------------
QAQC Quality Assurance and Quality
Control
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Rustenburg Layered Layered mafic intrusions of
Suite the Bushveld Complex
------------------ ---------------------------------------
Upper Seam The uppermost magnetite-enriched
unit at Vametco mine
------------------ ---------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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