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Caledonia able to execute other areas of growth strategy

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Caledonia able to execute other areas of growth strategy

Caledonia Mining Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Curtis said the company is now able to execute
other areas of growth due to the gold production increase record this third quarter.

Shantel Chisango

Curtis stated that the increase in production, as well as the completion of the Central Shaft, has paved
the way for obtaining Maligreen.
Maligreen is located in the Gweru, Midlands. The dormant mine was purchased from Pan African Mining
with a substantial brownfield exploration opportunity with significant historical exploration and
evaluation work having been conducted on the property over the last 30 years.

As at 31 August 2021, Maligreen is estimated to host a NI 43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource of
approximately 940,000 ounces of gold in 15.6 million tonnes at a grade of 1.88g/t. 76% of the inferred
mineral resource (approximately 712,000 ounces) is shallower than 220m indicating the potential for an
open-pit mining operation.

"The completion of Central Shaft and the resultant increase in production also means that we are able
to execute other areas of our growth strategy such as the agreement to acquire Maligreen that we
announced last month," said Curtis.
Curtis was delighted over the positive results produced by the company and is joyful to share future
results with shareholders.

In the third quarter, Caledonia had a production of 18,965 ounces of gold, 25 per cent up, compared to
the 15,155 ounces produced in the prior quarter of 2020.
Gold produced in the nine months to September 30, 2021, was 48,872 ounces, 14 per cent more than
the 42,887 ounces produced in the nine months to September 30, 2020.
Caledonia remains on track to achieve its production target of 80,000 ounces in 2022.
Caledonia Mining Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Curtis said the company is now able to execute
other areas of growth due to the gold production increase record this third quarter.

 

Govt must tighten laws of investment

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Govt must tighten laws of investment

Zimbabwe Diamond Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has urged the government to tighten
investment restrictions to safeguard indigenous miners.

The appeal came following the deaths of six Chinese nationals who worked as managers and some locals
at the SAS nickel mine in Mazowe.

The ZDAMWU believes that laws of investment should be reinforced and made mandatory for all
enterprises to comply in order to decrease mining accidents, which have been on the rise.

ZDAMWU extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the mine explosion,
and further urges all mining firms to follow safety and precaution measures when operating at mines.

The Chinese have slack health and safety controls. It’s unfortunate that the relevant authorities who are
supposed to enforce it are either well bribed or they are sleeping on the job,” one social media user
commented on the issue.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the incident and said it is carrying its
investigation.

Some Chinese-owned companies have previously denied allegations that they were flouting safety
regulations.

HIV, Tuberculosis and silicosis threaten artisanal miners

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HIV, Tuberculosis and silicosis threaten artisanal miners

At least 23,5% of artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASM) who participated in a recent study by the United States Agency for International Development tested positive for HIV.

By Vongai Mbara

A total of 373 ASM participated in the research dubbed “Tuberculosis (TB) and silicosis burden in artisanal and small-scale gold miners in a large occupational health outreach programme in Zimbabwe.”

Presenting findings of the study at the national conference on safety and health at workplaces, medical specialist Dingani Moyo said 90 of the participants tested positive for HIV.

According to the study, 52 (11,2%) were diagnosed with silicosis, while 4% had TB.

“Of the 373 ASMs, who were tested for HIV, 90 (23,5%) were HIV positive. Two-thirds (61%) of ASMs did not report any respiratory symptoms. 52 (11,2%) patients were diagnosed with silicosis. Mean age of 37 years with almost all ASMs with silica dust exposure was 95%,” Moyo said.

“ASMs, who tested positive for HIV, were 2,8 times more likely to be diagnosed with silicosis. The prevalence of silico-TB was 2,2% (10). The median duration of employment in ASMs of those who had abnormal chest radiographs was eight years. For those with normal chest radiographs, the median duration of employment was five years,” Moyo said.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the burden of TB and silicosis among ASMs in Zimbabwe.

It was the first such study conducted in Zimbabwe and Africa among ASMs. The study showed that silicosis and TB in ASMs are a huge problem in Zimbabwe and are affecting the youth.

Chinese miner dragged to court

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Chinese miner dragged to court

Zimbabwe Environmental Law Associations (ZELA) last week sued Anjin Private Investments for negligence after exposed electrical cables led to the injury of a minor.

Shantel Chisango

Anjin Investments stood before Mutare High Court on the 7th of October claiming damages for present and future medical expenses, pain, suffering and disability of the minor.

According to ZELA, businesses and corporations must be held accountable for failing to respect human rights guaranteed by the Zimbabwean Constitution and legal framework.

Moreover, ZELA mentioned businesses must avoid causing or contributing to harmful human rights impacts through their own operations, and must address such impacts when they arise.

Negligence and failure to fulfil a duty of care on Anjin Investments part forced ZELA to initiate a lawsuit on behalf of the minor to compel corporate accountability.

There is a need to create a legacy law, according to ZELA, so as to safeguard the environment and ensure the long-term management of natural resources.

Anjin Investments has been dragged to court many times over the accusations that the company was discharging untreated waste material into the Odzi, Singwizi and Save rivers, looting and smuggling of diamonds.

Anjin Investments, Marange Resources and Diamond Mining Corporation are mining companies involved in diamond exploration and mining in the Marange communal lands.

Petition to promote decent work for women in mining

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Petition to promote decent work for women in mining

Women in Artisanal and Small-scale mining (ASM) have started a petition to promote decent work for women in the mining industry.

Vongai Mbara

In the petition, women raise their concerns over a cocktail of challenges that are hindering the realisation of decent work for women in the mining sector.

“We are deeply concerned that, the challenge of machete gangs is also discouraging and hindering our full participation in the sector. As ASM workers, our experiences within the sector are gendered: cultural beliefs around women, as well as gendered constraints to access and control over resources, concentrate us women in lower-paid and often more hazardous tasks in the sector – which itself may constitute a form of socio-economic violence.”

“We play significant roles as women in mining, but we remain largely invisible in the data on ASM. Case studies show that, we make up significant portions of the ASM workforce and suffer from specific forms of workplace discrimination. Adverse side effects of mercury use, unequal pay for similar work, sexual harassment, and limited access to land or mining titles are some of the ways in which our decent work outcomes are hampered,” read the petition

The women are calling for action that goes in line with Sustainable Goal 8 which seeks to “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

“To achieve decent work and reduce poverty both in the immediate and in the longer term, our government and development partners need to tackle the root causes – and not just the negative manifestations – of informality and informatization,” continued the petition.

“Measures to improve the work environment, tackle gendered violence, labour rights, enhance social protection, invest in knowledge and skills of ASM players especially women or provide micro-entrepreneurs with access to credit and other support services are all critical in dealing with the manifestations of informality.”

Furthermore, the women are calling for the formalisation of the sector, saying their participation in ASM will largely contribute to the economy

“We, the women in Artisanal and Small-scale mining (ASM) are operating as informal economy players in a sector which cannot be termed “decent” compared to recognized, protected, secure, formal employment,”

“We are aware of the ability of ASM to offer income, propel economic growth, and create employment despite its high degree of informality. This alone shows its remarkable potential. If properly formalized it can result in more productive while creating decent work opportunities for women who are key actors in the sector.”

Premier targets gold potential within Zulu lithium EPO

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Premier targets gold potential within Zulu lithium EPO

Diversified mining and exploration junior, Premier African Minerals Limited’s exploration within its extended Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) is ongoing, with the miner targeting gold potential of the area, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr George Roach has said.

By Anerudo Mapuranga

Through Zulu Update, the company statement released yesterday provide an update on progress at Premier’s Zulu Lithium and Tantalum project and the first preliminary grade estimates using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (“LIBS”) system, Roach highlighted that, Preliminary results from ZDD-52 (RNS 2 September 2021) for 13.39 M continuous mineralized section is 1.37% Li2O average grade across the entire width; highest grade between 54.32 M and 55.32 M is 2.16% and lowest grade between 44.13 M and 45.13  M  is 1%, 15 holes now complete with approximately 2,735 M drilled to date. Two rigs, with a night shift component now operating with one focused on geotechnical requirements for the Feasibility Study (“DFS”) currently underway.

Roach went on to say that the company was looking forward to exploring for gold within its tenets which has historical dumps in the region of the flooded shaft located within the EPO.

“The preliminary results above are the first obtained from use of our LIBS system at site. The results are preliminary and subject to confirmation by independent certified laboratory analysis using industry-accepted analytical methods for Lithium. Use of the LIBS system has only been possible through the fully compliant sample preparation set up at Zulu and is expected to expedite results and provide guidance to our resource development and ongoing drilling program. The LIBS system in use at Zulu has been calibrated using certified reference material and provides a high level of confidence in the results obtained.

“It is particularly pleasing that this intersection is from an area not previously included in our existing resource statement but was forecast as an exploration target. More encouraging and most pleasing is the apparent consistent average grade across what is a wide intersection. Our team at Zulu are heavily engaged in core cutting and sample preparation for the many wide intersections encountered in the completed holes and we are hugely excited to see these results and look forward to consistent reporting and early confirmation from independent laboratories, allowing for potential upgrading of the overall resource tonnage.

“Exploration activity is ongoing over the extended Exclusive Prospecting Order Area (“EPO”) and will now also extend to look at the gold potential in the region of the flooded shaft located within the EPO. Historic dumps at site hold potential to be assessed as much as a proper examination of the existing developments when we are able to dewater the mine.” Roach said.

Premier confident of Zulu’s lithium and tantalum viability

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Premier confident of Zulu’s lithium and tantalum viability

London Stock Exchange-listed mining and exploration junior Premier African Minerals Limited said the exploration work conducted on the Zulu lithium and tantalum project in Bulawayo indicated that both lithium and tantalum recovery may be a viable option.

Anerudo Mapuranga

According to the company’s Chief Executive Statement for Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2021, the group is optimistic that the Zulu project is strategic and is planning on further exploration.

“Exploration work conducted on Zulu during prior periods indicated that both lithium and tantalum recovery may be a viable option. The Group views this project as strategic and exploration work will be continued in the future, cash flow permitting,” the statement reads in part.

In July, the company commissioned the second drilling rig is on site. Despite the Covid-19 related lockdowns and travel restrictions in the Southern African Development Community region, Zulu continued to make positive progress in the drilling program that is central to Zulu’s Definitive Feasibility Study (‘DFS’).

In August, Premier confirmed that it remains on track with its plans to prepare Zulu’s DFS in line with previously reported timelines.

On 16 August 2021, Premier published an updated Zulu Scoping Study to reflect the current Spodumene selling prices, together with current costings.

Premier CEO George Roach says surging Covid-19 infections in the Southern African Development Community region is not helping at Zulu, where travel and other restrictions are impacting the drilling programme. “Despite this, the rigs continue to operate and our laboratory equipment is now only awaiting import clearance to Zimbabwe.”

He adds that the drilling is just one component of the DFS.

“In the background, important other work is underway, including that associated with the environment, water management, tailings management, geotechnical assessment, preparation for additional metallurgical studies, logistics route planning and cost estimates.”

Thus far, Premier still expects to complete the study within the anticipated timelines and a variation to that effect will be communicated if necessary.

However, in the light of surging spodumene concentrate prices, Premier has also commissioned a review of the Zulu scoping study, with the intention of both better understanding the overall potential value of Zulu and to assess potentially reversing the current impairment of this project.

Mines Committee planning to hold an all-stakeholder meeting

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Mines Committee planning to hold an all-stakeholder meeting

The Mines Portfolio Parliamentary Committee plans to convene an all-stakeholder meeting to discuss the Mines and Minerals Bill amendments.

By Shantel Chisango

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Mines Portfolio Chairman Edmond Mkaratigwa stated that there has been an increasing need for new concerns to be included in the Bill, which is why a stakeholder meeting is crucial.

“We anticipate to hold an all stakeholder conference though, in the process to have any reservations and advancements considered,” said Mkaratigwa.

He went on to clarify that the Committee’s goal is to make sure that fresh ideas are thoroughly reviewed.

“The Committee’s strategy to ensure any new ideas are fully considered and incorporated if possible.”

According to Mkaratigwa, certain parts of the Mines Act are unlikely to be looked into due to the large number of sections that need to be amended.

He further advised the public to wait patiently on the procedures of the amendment of the Mines Act, because currently the Bill is not in the possession of the Committee but of the president’s office hence it is beyond their power to do anything as of now.

The Mines and Mineral Act provide for the control of mining operations in Zimbabwe, the establishment of the Mining Affairs Board and the administration of the Act and for the definition of various rights and duties of persons involved in mining operations or circumstances relating to such operations.

Tesla inks multi-year nickel supply deal with Prony Resources

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Tesla inks multi-year nickel supply deal with Prony Resources

Electric vehicle giant Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has inked a multi-year nickel supply deal with New Caledonia’s Prony Resources, which guarantees the US carmaker about 42,000 tonnes of the metal needed to produce the batteries that power its EVs.

Prony, which bought the loss-making nickel and cobalt operations in the French territory from Vale (NYSE: VALE) earlier this year, said it’s targeting production of 44,000 tonnes of nickel by 2024. That’s about double the expected 2021 output.
The deal was negotiated by Swiss commodity trader Trafigura, one of Prony’s main stakeholders, and it makes Tesla by far the miner’s largest customer, CEO Antonin Beurrier said in a statement.

The South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Australia, was gripped by riots over the sale process of Vale’s local business in February, with protesters saying a locally led offer had been unfairly overlooked. 

Click here for an interactive nickel price chart

Vale Nouvelle Calédonie (VNC), which was the operator of the troubled Goro nickel-cobalt mine, proved to be a financial burden for Vale since it began operations two years behind schedule in 2010.

Mounting issues, including a $1.6 billion-write down related to the ailing mines, pushed the company to announce in 2019 its intention to exit New Caledonia.

Vale later cut its 2020 nickel production guidance to 200,000 – 210-000 tonnes per year from 240,000 tpy to account for the anticipated loss of VNC’s 60,000-tpy output.

A few weeks later, the miner revealed it had received non-binding offers for VNC, which includes the Goro mine, a processing plant and a port.

Tesla was already associated with Prony as an adviser on product and sustainability standards. The move followed the EV maker’s announcement that it was planning to move into the mining business to secure resources for battery production.

Prony is one of the mounting nickel suppliers Tesla has inked deals with to secure supply of the battery metal. The list includes mining giant BHP (ASX, LON, NYSE: BHP), which is investing heavily in expanding operations to meet expected soaring demand.

Analysts estimate the nickel market could face a shortage as soon as 2023. The metal helps cram more energy into cheaper and smaller battery packs, allowing EVs to charge faster and travel farther between plug-ins.

Tesla boss Elon Musk promised last year a millionaire contract to any company able to provide the company with sustainable nickel.

Prony is 51%-owned by New Caledonia’s provincial authorities and other local interests, while Trafigura has a 19% stake, and the rest is held by a joint venture between Prony Resources management and investment firm Agio Global.

Mining.com

Ragusa’s high gold producing Bubi mine EIA approved

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Ragusa’s high gold producing Bubi mine EIA approved

Australian Stock Exchange listed mining and exploration company, Ragusa Minerals Limited has received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development approval from Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA), to conduct gold mining and processing operations at Lonely Mine Gold Project in Bubi.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The  100 per cent Ragusa owned mine was one of the top seven producing operations in Zimbabwe during its peak production period (1914-1930), producing ~50,000oz Au per year, with overall life-of-mine gold production recorded as 1,118,383oz with an average recovered grade of 17.50g/t Au (Bartholomew 1990). Operations on the Lonely Mine re-commenced during the 1970s when the Lonely Mine was the single largest gold producer in the region until its closure in the mid-1990s.

According to Ragusa chairperson, Jerko Zuvela the EIA is significant for the development of the Bubi project.

The EIA certificate confirms regulatory approval for the development of gold mining and processing operations at the Project, including the Tiberius prospect, and was issued for a period of two years (with renewal thereafter).

 “This is a significant milestone for the potential development of our Lonely Mine Gold Project. Together with our recently completed maiden diamond drilling campaign at the high-grade Tiberius prospect, where we look forward to receiving the sample analysis results over coming weeks to assist in determining the scale and nature of our project.” Ragusa Chairperson, Jerko Zuvela said.

The EIA approval allows full commercial development of the Project to proceed, as and when determined by the Company, and removes any potential future regulatory delay to develop the project to commercial scale.

The Lonely Mine Gold Project comprises four granted tenements (Mining Claims) covering an area of 44 hectares

  • Lonely Mine A (Registration Number 10632BM)
  • Tiberius 14 (Registration Number 33599)
  • Tiberius 32 (Registration Number 35732)
  • Tiberius 33 (Registration Number 35733)
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