Modern Mining January 2022

MINING News

ZAC builds 28 ablution blocks built for Zululand communities

their living conditions. Celani Z Mchunu, a mother of two small children, and a resi- dent of the Mlaba Traditional Council says: “These toilets are an invaluable addition to our community and have significantly improved the hygiene situation for my family. They are safe to use for adults and children which provides parents with peace of mind” Sihle Mlaba, who is also from Mlaba, says: “We are very thankful to ZAC for pro- viding us with these new toilets. Having proper ablution facilities brings a height- ened sense of dignity to our community.” Menar COO Bradley

Nyandeni noted that the facilities were designed for use in water-scarce commu- nities. “They utilise a dry sanitation system owing to the water constraints faced in the area,” Nyandeni says. ZAC Sustainable Development manager Khumbulani ‘Skopion’ Masuku says: “The toilets were constructed as part of a com- munity development project undertaken by ZAC to assist poor households in the mine-hosting communities to improve their sanitation facilities.” Community members expressed their appreciation for ZAC’s efforts to improve

Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), a Menar Group company, has built and handed over 28 ablution units to rural communities located in the Zululand District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal. The units are located in the mine-hosting Traditional Council com- munities of Mlaba, Zungu, Mandlakazi and Matheni. The facilities cost over R419 600 to build and were constructed by Conrite Projects, a contractor appointed by ZAC. The com- pany used local labour and materials to complete the project. ZAC Community Liaison Officer Levi

Hammond states the need for lavatories was identi- fied in partnership with local government. “Basic sanitation is something that many take for granted, but in impoverished communi- ties like the ones that host ZAC, private companies need to assist the govern- ment wherever possible,” Hammond says. “We are happy that we have been able to improve these residents’ sanitation situa- tion. The provision of safe, hygienic and permanent ablution facilities forms part of our group’s long-term commitment to uplift com- munities.” 

The units are located in the mine-hosting Traditional Council communities of Mlaba, Zungu, Mandlakazi and Matheni.

Barrick’s Bulyanhulu acquires highly prospective licences in Tanzania Twiga Minerals Corporation (Twiga), a joint venture between Barrick and the Government of Tanzania, has announced the acquisition of new prospecting licences in Tanzania by Bulyanhulu Gold Mine Limited (Bulyanhulu), a subsidiary of Barrick.

fied in the areas of land which are covered by the licences using Barrick standards for determining mineral resources. Bulyanhulu is required to invest a minimum of US$9-million in the licence area over the course of the four years following the closing of the transaction. Concurrently with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, Bulyanhulu has agreed to subscribe for, on a non-brokered private placement basis, 5 518 764 of common shares of Tembo at a price of C$0,27 per common share. The transaction and the private placement are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, certain regulatory approvals in Tanzania, and other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. Closing of the Transaction and Private Placement is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2022. Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow says the acquisition is a significant step forward in the company’s strategy of increasing its investment in new growth opportunities in Tanzania and a further demonstration of the value-creation potential of its part- nership with the government. 

Bulyanhulu has entered into a binding agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX), Tembo Gold Corp, the Mineral Industry Promotion and Consulting Company Limited (MIPCCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tembo, dated December 7, 2021 in respect of the acquisition of certain prospecting licences. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, Bulyanhulu will acquire from MIPCCL a 100% interest in six prospecting licences held by MIPCCL. The licences are located in areas adjacent to the Bulyanhulu mine and have the potential to add significant mineral reserves to Barrick’s asset base in Tanzania. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the consideration payable by Bulyanhulu is US$6-million, plus certain other contingent payments. Such contingent payments will be calculated based on the inferred, indicated and measured gold mineral resources identi-

10  MODERN MINING  January 2022