Modern Mining August 2016

MINING News

Maseve processing facility showing flotation circuit, concentrator and filter press (photo: Platinum Group Metals). Maseve mine now in its ramp-up phase

Reef is exposed and, of these, 18 are cur- rently working ends. Recent efforts have been focused on primary access develop- ment and raise lines. Active stoping areas are increasing as development and set up on Merensky Reef ends is completed.

In its financial results for the nine months ended 31 May 2016, Platinum Group Metals (PTM), listed on the TSX and NYSE MKT, says that its Maseve mine near Sun

City is fully constructed and is now in the ramp up phase of production. At present development at Maseve has established 20 ends where the Merensky

Shanta Gold plans pilot-scale production at Singida In an update on its Singida gold project in northern central Tanzania, AIM-listed Shanta Gold – which also owns and oper- ates the New Luika Gold Mine (NLGM) in the Lupa goldfield near Mbeya – says that pilot-scale production will start in Q1 2017 on the Gold Tree 1 prospect, building up to a milling rate of 10 t/h for gold production of approximately 800 ounces per month. The development capital of approximately US$4 million is to be funded from the com- pany’s cashflow.

and enthusiasm from both the local com- munities and authorities. A new mine in this region of Tanzania has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many and Shanta intends to ensure that the eco- nomic benefit is extended beyond that of the mine itself. The company looks forward to working with our partners in Tanzania to bring this exciting project to life.” Recognising the potential at Singida, Shanta engaged Philbert Rweyemamu, a highly regarded Tanzanian mining indus- try professional, to lead the project as its General Manager earlier this year. He was formerly with Acacia Mining from 2007 to 2015 where he held roles as General Manager of the Buzwagi and Tulawaka gold mines as well as Government Relations Manager and leader of major commu- nity projects. Prior to this, he was with De Beers where he gained experience in South Africa, Botswana, as well as Tanzania. 

The pilot operation is expected to run for at least two years subject to further resources being identified and a larger scale operation being initiated. Based on previous exploration drilling results, as well as numerous gold deport- ment and metallurgical tests conducted, Shanta is confident that a significant quan- tity of gravity recoverable gold can be realised from near-surface sources, down to a depth of approximately 10 m below surface. In parallel, Shanta is commencing work on a feasibility study on the broader resource, as well as carrying out further exploration in the project area. Toby Bradbury, Shanta’s CEO, com- mented: “Shanta is very optimistic about the prospects for Singida. Following an extensive consultation programme, the company is now able to progress devel- opment at Singida with the full support

Singida is an advanced stage project with a mining licence in place. The project has had in excess of 80 000 m of drilling and a feasibility study was completed in 2011. As previously announced in the 2011 feasibil- ity study, Singida has nine orebodies named Gold Tree 1, 2, 3, Jem, Vivian, Corn Patch, Corn PatchWest, Gustav and Kaiser Chief.The nine orebodies have a combined resource of 858 000 ounces (at a 1 g/t cut-off).

16  MODERN MINING  August 2016