Robin Young, CEO of Amur Minerals LON:AMC, commented: “The 2016 field season is already underway, a full three weeks earlier than it has ever begun before. With the full team and support system now up and running, we will be focused on the acquisition of the bulk sample to conduct the necessary test work to design the flowsheet and process plant design. From this, we will be able to determine the composition of our concentrate and the variability we can expect over the first years of production at Kun-Manie. With these parameters, the design of our Low Grade Matte furnace can be completed. All of this work will provide us with a basis and key information of inclusion in the Definitive Feasibility Study. We intend to provide periodic updates as the field season progresses.”
Amur Minerals Corporation LON:AMC a nickel-copper sulphide mineral exploration and resource development company focused on the far east of Russia, has told DirectorsTalk that it has initiated its 2016 field programme ahead of schedule at its Kun-Manie production licence.
A total of 15,000 metres of drilling are planned for completion within the three and a half kilometre long Maly Kurumkon / Flangovy (“MKF”) deposit. The prime objective of the drill programme is to generate a large representative metallurgical sample from the deposit for use in the final process design of the ore treatment facilities. Exploration drilling will also be undertaken to convert existing Inferred resources to that of Indicated and to further expand the resource of the MKF deposit. Satellite communications have now been established to the MKF deposit base camp and it has been reported that drilling begun on 5 May 2016. This is the earliest start to the drilling field season since exploration began in 2004.
Highlights include:
— The LF90 Boart Longyear rig has been fully commissioned by Boart Longyear representatives and drilling commenced on 5 May 2016.
— A full maintenance inspection of the LF70 rig is now complete and it will begin drilling within the next days.
— A total of approximately 25 to 35 drill holes are planned for the acquisition of a large bulk metallurgical sample located along the length of the MKF deposit. It is anticipated that approximately 7,500 to 9,000 metres of drilling will generate a bulk metallurgical sample ranging from 5 to 6 tonnes of ore. The sample will be used in the process plant design, determination of the composition of the concentrate and the design of a furnace to treat the concentrate in preparation of a Low Grade Matte (“LGM”).
— Exploration drilling will be completed and is comprised of two elements. Infill drilling will be completed at both the eastern and western limits of the deposit to convert existing Inferred resources to that of Indicated. Step out drilling to both the east and west will be conducted to expand the resource where its limits are not yet defined. Exploration drilling is presently budgeted to total from 6,000 to 7,500 metres.
— To the south of the mining licence area, and within the water rights licence area, the Company will compile information to define the source and quantity of industrial water available to process the ores. Surface geological mapping and extensive ground based geophysics will be implemented to define the locations of test and production wells scheduled for drilling in 2017.
The Company is in the final stage of mobilisation for implementation of the 2016 Kun-Manie field season. The last of the personnel and sundry materials are now being transferred to site via our contract helicopter company as the ice road is closed. Satellite communications are now established allowing the site to report that our heavy equipment operators and drill teams began drill road construction and drilling on 5 May 2016. As of 13 May 2016, a total of 496 metres have been drilled within two holes using the newly purchased LF90 Boart Longyear drill rig.
