Q UA R T E R LY A CT I V I T I E S R EPO R T
31 D EC EM BER 20 11
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE QUARTER 23 JA N U A R Y 20 12ASX Code: SPM Capital Structure:
Shares on Issue: 130.7m Options on issue: 11.75m Exercise Price: 20c - 80c Market Cap: $27.5m (21c)
Financial Position: Cash & Debtors: $2.4m (at Quarter end)
Board of Directors: Non Executive Chairman: Anthony Barton
Non Executive Director: Derek Carew-Hopkins
Non Executive Director: Leon Charuckyj
Executive Director: Richard Wolanski
Projects:
Speewah Dome, 575 km2
Location:
Kimberley, WA
Resources:
Titanium/Vanadium:
3.6 Billion tonnes @ 0.30% V2O5 and 2% Ti (at 0.23% V2O5 cut-off grade)
Fluorite:
6.7 Million tonnes @ 24.6% CaF2 (at 10% CaF2 cut-off grade)
Other prospects: Copper/Gold/Silver & Lead Platinum
2011 EXPLO RATIO N PROGRAM M E COM PLETED
Speewah Metals Ltd ("Speewah") is pleased to advise that the
2011 Exploration
Programme was completed on schedule and on budget.
Total drilling included 13,452 metres of RC drilling (249
holes) and 4,909 metres of
Diamond Core drilling (17 holes).
An upgrade to the current Titanium/Vanadium resource of 3.6
Billion tonnes at 0.3% V2O5 and 2% Ti will be completed early
February 2012 and is expected to materially build on the
existing resource.
All diamond core has been transported to Perth and is
undergoing detailed examination, petrographic study, sampling
and assay. Assay results are expected in February/March 2012.
METALLURGICAL PROGRAM M E RESULTS PENDING
Initial success from the 2011 Metallurgical and Exploration
Programmes confirms that the Titanium/ Vanadium/ Hematite
Project represents the major asset and will be the focus of
strategic efforts over the next 12 months.
Test work has focused on a mixed chloride acid leach on the
magnetite concentrate, to recover Titanium (Ti) alongside the
Vanadium (V) and Iron (Fe) as high value end products.
Initial results by Process Research Ortech Inc. using
patented technology were optimised during the quarter and
demonstrated higher extractions of Ti, V and Fe of up to 91.8
%, 86.1 % and 98.0 % respectively.
Completion of Speewah's metallurgical testwork is expected in February 2012 and will deliver recovery rates, indicative purities of end products and a process flowsheet. Work will then be completed on operating and cost estimates to provide scoping level project economics.
The remainder of 2012 will focus on the elimination of commercialisation risk factors to facilitate possible mine construction in 2013.
GRANT/REBATE FUNDING PENDING
Speewah received grant funds in respect of Western Australian
2011/2012 Exploration
Incentive Scheme (1st Stage) totaling $120,000
in the past week.
The Company confirmed calculation of the Research &
Development Rebate for the
2010/11 financial year. The rebate totals $700,000 and is
expected to be received 2nd
Quarter 2012. Speewah has successfully claimed a rebate of a
proportion of expenditure devoted to Research and Development
for each of the previous 3 years, which has had a significant
positive impact on operational cashflow.
The following additional Grants/rebates funding will be
received in the coming weeks:
• Diesel Fuel Rebate 2011 Exploration (including GST refund)
$310,000
• 2011/2012 Exploration Incentive Scheme (2nd
Stage) $ 30,000
APPOINTM ENT OF DIRECTO R
The Company welcomed the appointment of Mr Leon Charuckyj as
Non-Executive
Director.
END OF HIGHLIGHTS
BACKGROUND & SYNOPSIS OF SPEEW AH METALS LTD
Speewah Metals Ltd has established a portfolio of 100% owned
tenements covering approximately 575 square kilometres in the
East Kimberley region of Western Australia ("Tenements").
Since Speewah was listed on the ASX in 2007, the company has
focused on exploring an extensive zone of vanadiferous and
titaniferous magnetite mineralisation. This exploration has
delivered Australia's largest titanium/vanadium in magnetite
resource and a high grade Fluorite resource. These projects
have advanced to a point where they are approaching the
development phase.
The Titanium/ Vanadium/ Hematite Project represents the major asset and value add project for shareholders.
The completion of metallurgical studies in the coming weeks
is expected to significantly reduce the technical risk
associated with the preferred acid leach processing technique
and drive focus to development of a significant mining
operation.
Speewah focus for 2012 is:
1. Significant expansion of the existing
titanium/vanadium/magnetite resource. Part of the 2011
Exploration programme has been to increase the existing
Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources totalling
3.566
Billion tonnes at 0.30% V2O5 and 2%
Ti (at 0.23% V2O5 cut-off grade).
(New resource update to be delivered
February 2012).
2. Metallurgical work on the Titanium/Vanadium resource to
confirm the potential to recover titanium and vanadium
alongside hematite which may have the potential to multiply
project values. (To be delivered February 2012).
3. Construction and completion of a pilot plant processing
facility to demonstrate titanium/vanadium/hematite flowsheet
and produce marketing sample to attract off-take and
investment/strategic partners;
4. Delivery of the following development approval
requirements:
a. Achieving Reserve status on Titanium/Vanadium in magnetite
Resource; b. Financial modeling and valuation of
Titanium/Vanadium/Hematite project; c. Mining Lease;
d. Mining Agreement with landholders;
e. Environmental Impact Assessment.
5. Commencement of definitive feasibility studies on
Titanium/Vanadium/Hematite project.
These objectives are designed to reduce commercial risk and
facilitate mine development. Successful completion of these
objectives/ approvals could lead to the commencement of mine
construction in 2013.
Initial planning envisages a mining /processing operation
that produces a minimum of the following end products:
• Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 75,000 tonnes per
year
• Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) 13,000
tonnes per year
• Hematite (Fe2O3) 400,000 tonnes
per year
Each of the end products is expected to be produced at high
grade purity levels of >98% which will ensure Speewah is
able to obtain premium pricing for the end products. This
mining operation has the potential to produce significant
annual revenue and will represent a major new mine
development in this region of Western Australia.
TENEM ENT OVERVIEW
Figure 1 below shows the Speewah tenements with existing
Titanium/Vanadium Resources within the solid red lines that
are located within 1-2 kms of each other. The recently
completed 2011 exploration programme was intended to extend
these Resources within the red shaded area. The primary
copper/gold/silver targets along the major structures are
also shown on this map shaded blue. The fluorite resource
sits in the southeast in an area prospective for
copper/gold/silver
mineralisation.
RESOURCES
Figure 1: Geology of the Speewah Dome showing location of the Titanium-Vanadium Mineral Resources
The Speewah Dome tenements contains one of the world's largest undeveloped titanium/vanadium in magnetite deposits with combined Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources totaling 3.6 billion tonnes at 0.30% V2O5 and
2% Ti (at 0.23% V2O5 cut-off grade)
in three deposits, comprising a Measured Resource of 201
million tonnes at 0.33%
V2O5, Indicated Resource of 826
million tonnes at 0.30% V2O5 and an
Inferred Resource of 2,539 million tonnes at
0.3% V2O5. Metallurgical testwork
has confirmed that upon separation of a magnetite concentrate
the outstanding feature of the Resource is that the upgraded
concentrate assays at 54.26% Fe, 2.48%
V2O5 and 14.82%
TiO2.
A resource upgrade, based on the drilling completed in 2011,
is expected to be completed in February 2012.
The tenements also contain a high-grade, high-quality
fluorite deposit with Indicated and Inferred Resources
totaling
6.7 million tonnes at 24.6% CaF2 (at 10%
CaF2 cut-off grade), comprising an Indicated
Resource of 4.1 million tonnes at 25.3% CaF2 and
an Inferred Resource of 2.6 million tonnes at 23.6%
CaF2. See Appendix A for Resources details.
METALLURGICAL TESTW ORK
The metallurgical test programme, to be completed February
2012, has focused on hydrometallurgical testwork, using an
acid leach on the magnetite concentrate followed by solvent
extraction, and is expected to obtain high recovery of Ti and
V alongside Fe at high levels of purity (high value) in the
end products. The testwork is designed to
significantly reduce technical risk by confirming the success
of this flowsheet at bench scale level. From this
testwork
scoping level estimates of operating and capital costs will
be calculated.
The testwork has been designed to support development of a
significant mining operation delivering a diverse range of
high value end products, support promotion of the project in
the large titanium and iron markets, and confirm that a mine
development is scalable reducing capital risk. Titanium is
likely to be the most valuable revenue stream followed by
Vanadium and Hematite. Upon completion of the testwork a
decision on pilot plant construction will be made.
Initial metallurgical testwork has surpassed expectations. Tests are being conducted by Process Research Ortech Inc. (PRO) using its patented mixed chloride technology. Interim results, based on a set of conditions tested to date, include high extractions of Titanium (Ti), Vanadium (V) and Iron (Fe) up to 91.8 %, 86.1 % and 98.0 % respectively.
Results in February 2012 should include purity and recoveries of end products, flowsheet, operating costs and capital expenditure estimates.
FINANCIAL MODELING
Completion of the testwork will allow development of a financial model for the Ti/ V/ Fe project in early 2012.
ACCESS, TENURE, APPROVAL AND LOGISTICS WORKS
Mining Lease - An application for a Mining Lease is planned for 2012 once the scoping studies determine the likely footprint of the combined mine site and tailings areas. The determination of this factor is the only matter outstanding as the company has already compiled other information necessary to support the application for a Mining Lease.
Mining Agreement- Negotiation of a Mining Agreement with landholders has commenced. Speewah will continue to work with traditional owners to deliver a beneficial and equitable outcome for all parties.
Environmental Application - Fieldwork has been completed on
Flora and Fauna studies on the Central Deposit
Resource. This work supports completion of the application
for environmental assessment to be lodged in 2012.
Aboriginal Heritage Survey was completed and approved in 2010
over proposed initial mining area of the Central
Deposit. This represents a major step towards development of
a mining operation at Speewah.
Logistics - Scoping studies indicates that transporting the
magnetite concentrate to Wyndham for further processing or
loading onto barges before being loaded onto larger ships
away from the port is likely to be the most efficient method
to transport large quantities of product for export. This
transport and shipment method is being used by a nearby iron-
ore mine and confirms the feasibility and proof of concept of
this transport method for Speewah. Port loading facilities
with spare capacity exist in Wyndham and have the ability to
link Speewah to nearby Asian markets.
OTHER PROSPECTS - COPPER/GOLD/SILVER AND FLUO RITE AND PGE+AU
Copper/Gold Silver - Drill assay results are expected in March 2012 that will determine future exploration plans. Fluorite - Drill results have identified fluorite rich intersections and extensions of the existing fluorite resource. This has
lead to the discovery of a new fluorite vein along the east
contact of the King River Fault and there are a number of new
drill intersections of fluorite veins that are not part of
the existing resource. The Exploration Target*
for
fluorite deposits, in addition to the existing resource of
6.7Mt at 24.6% CaF2, is an additional 2 to 4Mt
at 20-25% CaF2. Fluorite could be mined along
with a potential Ti/ V/ Fe operation to share infrastructure
and improve project economics.
PGE+Au- A PGE+Au reef that runs through the existing Titanium/Vanadium resource may improve project economics of the Ti/ V/ Fe project.
* Note: Exploration Target is not a mineral resource and further drilling is required which may not define these tonnes & grade. The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if future exploration will result in the determination of a mineral resource.
PROM OTION OF THE SPEEW AH OPPORTUNITY
Titanium dioxide is used to make pigments for paints and
ceramics for the construction industry. Vanadium is a ferro-
alloy used to produce hardened and tool steel. The titanium
industry is many times larger than the vanadium industry.
With the increases in demand for these commodities driven by
the construction and global steel production in Asia and
specifically China, Speewah's focus has been to identify
development funding/investment from this region.
The strategy for the Speewah assets has been to promote the Speewah tenements potential for a multi- commodity mine with shared infrastructure (road, campsite, power, tailings and water) with focus on the very large Titanium/Vanadium magnetite deposit to identify a strategic investor or development partner.
The Titanium/Vanadium asset has generated significant interest with a number of parties.
Promotional activity and discussions with interested parties
in the Titanium/Vanadium asset will continue throughout
2012. The metallurgical testwork is expected to provide
important information regarding the recoveries, end products,
flowsheet, project economics and will provide technical proof
of the ability to development a major new Ti, V, Fe project.
This will be the first opportunity Speewah will have had to
promote to the very large titanium and iron industries.
Speewah is enthusiastic about the upcoming testwork that is
expected to support the titanium/vanadium/hematite project
and confirm the ability to generate products in demand in the
large Titanium and Hematite markets. Speewah should be in a
strong position to promote an advanced project with a
significant valuation that is close to development, which is
expected to drive investment and share value growth.
CONCLUSIONS
Initial Metallurgical work confirms that the Titanium/Vanadium/Hematite Project represents the major asset and value add project for shareholders and will be the focus of strategic efforts over the next 12 months.
The completion of metallurgical studies in the coming weeks
is expected to significantly reduce the technical risk
associated with the preferred acid leach processing technique
and drive focus to development of a significant Ti/V/Fe
mining/processing operation.
Work in 2012 will focus on promotion of this Ti/V/Fe
opportunity and the systematic reduction of commercial risk
through pilot plant testing and completion of the
approvals/feasibility to support the goal of construction
commencing in 2013.
OBJECTIVES FO R 2012
The Board is confident that it will deliver the following
significant milestones in February 2012:
1. Significant increase in the size of the existing
Titanium/Vanadium in magnetite resource;
2. Metallurgical test results to confirm high recoveries of
high value Titanium/ Vanadium and Iron end products.
Results will provide details on processing flowsheet,
recoveries, end products, operating and capital cost
estimates. Initial success of the Metallurgical testwork will
allow planning for the key strategic objectives for 2012,
which include:
• Construction and completion of a pilot plant processing
facility in 2012 to demonstrate titanium/vanadium/hematite
flowsheet and produce marketing sample to attract off-take
and investment/strategic partners;
• Delivery of the following development approval
requirements:
o Achieving Reserve status on Titanium/Vanadium in magnetite Resource; o Financial modeling and valuation of Titanium/Vanadium/Hematite project; o Mining Lease;
o Mining Agreement with landholders;
o Environmental Assessment;
• Commencement of definitive feasibility studies on Titanium/Vanadium/Hematite project.
End of Quarterly Activities Report
AP P E NDI X ARESOURCES
The Speewah Tenements contain the following Mineral Resources:
TITANIUM - VANADIUM
The vanadium-titanium Mineral Resource is given in Table A.
Table A: Speewah Mineral Resource Estimate April 2011* (0.23% V2 O5 Cut-off)Speewah Project | Tonnes Mt | V % V2O5 % Fe % Ti % | |
Zone | Class | Tonnes Mt | V % V2O5 % Fe % Ti % |
High Grade | Measured Indicated Inferred | 115 298 1,128 | 0.21 0.37 15.0 2.1 0.20 0.35 15.1 2.1 0.19 0.35 14.8 2.0 |
High Grade Total | 1,541 | 0.20 0.35 14.9 2.0 | |
Low Grade | Measured Indicated Inferred | 86 528 1,411 | 0.15 0.27 14.7 2.0 0.15 0.27 14.5 1.9 0.15 0.26 14.6 2.0 |
Low Grade Total | 2,025 | 0.15 0.26 14.6 2.0 | |
Combined Zones | Measured Indicated Inferred | 201 826 2,539 | 0.18 0.33 14.9 2.1 0.17 0.30 14.7 2.0 0.17 0.30 14.7 2.0 |
Grand Total | 3,566 | 0.17 0.30 14.7 2.0 |
Note: Estimate based on results of XRF analysis for V, Fe and Ti, with V2O5 calculated as V % x 1.785. Differences may occur due to rounding.
*Includes 2010 Resource Totals for Central, Buckman and Red Hill deposits
The Mineral Resource has now been estimated to include the
previously reported Central deposit and two additional
deposits at Red Hill and Buckman (Figure 1). They
individually extend over strike lengths of 5.5 to 8km and up
to 2km wide. These combined Minerals Resources at Speewah are
significantly larger than any other vanadium in magnetite
deposit in Australia and there are several other areas within
the Speewah Dome with magnetite bearing gabbro that have yet
to be drill tested.
It is important to note that the entire resource, inclusive
of the low grade zones, contains magnetite with vanadium
tenor that is higher than in other Australian vanadium
deposits, and the high grade zone has vanadium tenor in
magnetite that is higher than being exploited commercially in
existing vanadiferous magnetite production facilities.
FLUO RITE
The Fluorite resource is given in Table B. The deposit
contains Indicated and Inferred Resources totaling 6.7 Mt
at
24.6% (within high grade domains at 10% CaF2
cut-off grade), comprising:
• Indicated Resource of 4.1 Mt at 25.3%
CaF2;
• Inferred Resource of 2.6 Mt at 23.6% CaF2.
Table B: Speewah Fluorite Prospect Mineral Resource Estimate
Speewah Fluorite Deposit August 2009 Resource Estimate | |||
Indicated | Inferred | Total | |
Type | Tonnes CaF2 | Tonnes CaF2 | Tonnes CaF2 CaF2 |
Mt % | Mt % | Mt % Mt | |
High Grade | 4.1 25.3 | 2.6 23.6 | 6.7 24.6 1.7 |
LOCATION
The Speewah tenements are located approximately 110 kilometres southwest of Kununurra and 110 kilometres south of the port of Wyndham in the Kimberley region of Western Australia (Figure 2). The Tenements are accessed via 45 kilometres of unsealed tracks from the sealed Great Northern Highway.
Figure 2: Location Map
FOR FURTHER INFORM ATION , PLEASE CONTACT:
Speewah Metals Limited
Richard Wolanski - Executive Director
Anthony Barton - Non Executive Chairman
Level 22 Allendale Square
77 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000
Telephone: +61 8 9221 8055
Fax: +61 8 9325 8088
Competent Persons Statement
The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results, Minerals Resources or Ore Resources is based on information
compiled by Ken Rogers who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Rogers, Chief Geologist of Speewah Metals Limited, compiled the technical aspects of this report relating to the Speewah Project and content of this release. Mr Rogers has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that is being reported on to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code). Mr Rogers consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters in the form and context in which it appears.
distribué par | Ce noodl a été diffusé par Speewah Metals Limited et initialement mise en ligne sur le site http://www.speewah.com.au. La version originale est disponible ici. Ce noodl a été distribué par noodls dans son format d'origine et sans modification sur 2012-01-24 07:43:32 AM et restera accessible depuis ce lien permanent. Cette annonce est protégée par les règles du droit d'auteur et toute autre loi applicable, et son propriétaire est seul responsable de sa véracité et de son originalité. |
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Quarterly Activities Report |