Modern Mining August 2020

MINING News

Final high-grade intersections at Longonjo

open below the 80 m drill depth and to the north and west. The reported grades and potential size of the further mineralisation are very encouraging and whilst not cur- rently included in the current Bankable Feasibility Studies work has commenced on including this mineralisation in the over- all development of the project. Meanwhile, work has commenced on an updated Mineral Resource estimate to be reported in September 2020. Executive director & COO Dave Hammond, comments: “These final results have further highlight the world-class opportunity at the Longonjo Project. The drilling continues to prove the continuity of the weathered mineralisation, returning significant grades from surface outside of our current mine plan. We expect these infill drilling results will allow us to upgrade the existing resource categories and extend the mine life. “Further drill testing of the fresh rock zone, which is not in the current mine plan, has also exceeded expectations. With many holes ending in mineralisation at eighty metres depth, identifying several open positions, the potential for a sizeable deposit of this second style of mineralisa- tion is an exciting possibility. All assay results have now been received, and SRK Consulting has com- menced the estimation process. We look forward to reporting a new Mineral Resource estimate in September.”  The licence conditions make provision for further improvements to how water pumped out of the mine is disposed of, allowing the prospect of artificial recharge into groundwater aquifers to be consid- ered, as well as maximising the re-use of the discharged water by farmers in the surrounding area, as was described in the updated Bankable Feasibility Study. “Many of the banks and potential strate- gic partners that we have been dealing with have flagged the outstanding licence as a major concern that could potentially hold up an investment decision,” says Smart. “We are pleased that this key outstand- ing approval has now been received, clearing the way for construction and development of our planned new state-of- the-art base metal operation to commence at Prieska,” he says. 

Pensana Rare Earths Plc (LSE: PRE, ASX: PM8) has revealed the final assay results from the last 86 holes of the 8 000 m drill programme completed at the Longonjo NdPr Project in Angola. The programme is in support of a Bankable Feasibility Study which is due to be reported in mid-October. The latest results confirm the continu- ity of the weathered zone mineralisation from surface and also outline a wide area of mineralisation in fresh rock immediately below the current pit design that could add an extra dimension to the project

beyond the initial mine life. Latest and final results continue to confirm the continuity of high grade rare earth mineralisation from surface in the weathered zone. The company expects to upgrade substantial amounts of Inferred mineralisation to higher categories, sup- porting an extended mine life. Fresh rock mineralisation adds a whole new dimension to the project. Wide, con- tinuous high-grade intersections grading 2% to 4% REO have been returned from the fresh rock immediately below the weath- ered zone. The mineralisation remains

The latest results confirm the continuity of the weathered zone mineralisation from surface.

Water use licence granted for Prieska Copper-Zinc Project

Sanitation, marking the achievement of another key permitting milestone for its development-ready Prieska Copper-Zinc Project in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. “The grant of the Water Use Licence for the Prieska Copper-Zinc Project is a major milestone for the company and removes the largest remaining regulatory hurdle before the construction of the mine can commence,” says Orion’s MD and CEO, Errol Smart. The licence has been granted in terms of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998 for a period of 20 years and includes per- mission for mine de-watering to proceed, as well as wet tailings and wastewater storage and management and the use of water for mixing with mine waste for void back-filling.

ASX and JSE listed Orion Minerals’ subsid- iary, Prieska Copper Zinc Mine, has been granted a 20-year Water Use Licence by the National Department of Water and

Errol Smart, Orion’s MD and CEO.

6  MODERN MINING  August 2020