Anglesey Mining PLC Update on Parys Mountain Optimisation Study
January 22 2019 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMAYM
Update on Parys Mountain Optimisation Study
Anglesey Mining plc ("AYM") is pleased to report on progress of the
Optimisation Study being carried out on its Parys Mountain copper, zinc, lead,
gold and silver project, located on the island of Anglesey in North Wales.
The Optimisation Study is being conducted under a Project Development and
Cooperation Agreement entered into with QME Mine Engineering Services ("QME")
which is based in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. QME is carrying out this study
at its own expense in return for which AYM has agreed to grant QME various
rights and options relating to the future development of Parys Mountain as
detailed in the AYM RNS of 26th November 2018.
QME has assembled a team of qualified and experienced geologists and engineers
particularly for this project. The QME team has conducted two workshops with
AYM since the project commenced in late November, including a site visit to
Parys Mountain earlier this month.
QME is examining a number of development scenarios for Parys Mountain which
include the initial development of the mine from a new decline, with first
production from the White Rock Zone, and alternatively initial development
through refurbishing the existing Morris Shaft, with early production from the
higher value though deeper Engine Zone. A number of sub-alternatives are also
being considered.
Anglesey Chief Executive, Bill Hooley, said: "I am very pleased with the
progress that QME has made in the short period since work commenced on this
project in November. I am also greatly encouraged by the high-quality team
that has been assembled and particularly by the enthusiasm and vigour with
which each member of that team is approaching the production of an optimised
and viable development plan. I believe that the final output from this
Optimisation Study will do much to enhance the value and development of Parys
Mountain."
In order to fully evaluate these alternatives QME has carried out a detailed
validation and review of the wire-frame models of the various orebodies and
zones that will form part of the new production plans. QME has also examined
the classifications of resources utilised previously and at this point in time
believe that it will be possible to increase the tonnages available for
production when these reviews are combined with updated costing models. Work
will continue on the wire-frame review and is expected to lead to development
of alternative mine production plans in the coming weeks.
QME has significant experience in mine development and operation through its
involvement in major mining activities in Ireland and elsewhere. As its
understanding of the requirements for development and production at Parys
Mountain has evolved since November, QME has commenced the compilation of a
detailed cost data-base to be utilised in examining each of the alternative
scenarios. This will ensure that the comparative financial models to be
produced for each option will be consistent and current. It is expected that
compilation of this data-base will be completed to tie in with the completion
of the alternative mine production plans as noted above.
The next major piece of work for QME, and which follows directly from the site
visit earlier this month, will be the development of plans to reopen and
utilise the 300 metre deep Morris Shaft as a potential early access option to
the higher value Engine Zone. It is believed that this shaft, though currently
flooded to near surface, is in reasonable condition and could be dewatered and
rehabilitated relatively easily. In addition to the shaft itself, QME has
examined the headframe and winder on site and will consider if and how best
this existing equipment can be utilised for the shaft reopening exercise.
Development of the logistics and costing of this possible approach will be
incorporated into the various alternative models as information becomes
available.
The original timetable was for the entire Optimisation Study to be completed by
the end of June 2019 and this target still appears to be quite achievable.
Parys Mountain - 2017 Scoping Study
In July 2017 a new Scoping Study on the Parys Mountain, was prepared by Micon
International Limited and Fairport Engineering Ltd. The Scoping Study
envisaged a mining rate of 1,000 tonnes per day, to produce an average annual
output of 14,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate at 57% Zn, 7,200 tonnes of lead
concentrate at 52% Pb and 4,000 tonnes of copper concentrate at 25% Cu, over an
initial mine life of eight years.
The QME Optimisation Study will build on the results of the Scoping Study which
will be used as a Base Case for comparison purposes, and it is hoped and
anticipated that the Study will result in a development plan that both
increases the mine life beyond the eight years, as well as providing improved
financial results.
About QME
QME Limited, based in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, supplies services to the
mining industry worldwide. QME is involved in various mining projects in the
fields of both mine development and mining operations. QME also supplies new
and re-manufactured underground and open pit mining equipment to the
international mining industry worldwide and has carried out both large and
small scale underground mine development contracts for a number of clients
including New Boliden Tara Mines at Navan Ireland, Dalradian Gold Limited at
Curraghinalt Northern Ireland, and Lafarge Holcim at Glensanda Scotland.
About Anglesey Mining plc
Anglesey is carrying out feasibility and development work at its 100% owned
Parys Mountain copper-zinc-lead deposit in North Wales, UK with a reported
resource of 2.1 million tonnes at 6.9% combined base metals in the indicated
category and 4.1 million tonnes at 5.0% combined base metals in the inferred
category.
Following a recent refinancing, Anglesey now holds an 8.7% interest, (increased
from 6%), and management rights to the Grangesberg Iron project in Sweden,
together with a right of first refusal to increase its interest by a further
50.1%. Anglesey also holds 12% of Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited which
holds direct shipping iron ore deposits in Labrador and Quebec.
For further information, please contact:
Bill Hooley, Chief Executive +44 (0)7785 572517
Danesh Varma, Finance Director +44 (0)7740 932766
END
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 22, 2019 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
Anglesey Mining (LSE:AYM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2024 to Oct 2024
Anglesey Mining (LSE:AYM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2023 to Oct 2024