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Energia moves forward in zinc mine development

Energia moves forward in zinc mine development

Photo by Bloomberg

21st December 2016

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

  

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JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Energia Minerals has received written confirmation from the Comune Di Gorno that the historical treatment plant site at Riso near Gorno, which logistically is Energia’s preferred site, is available for the construction of a treatment plant, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory terms and conditions.

This, the company said, was another important milestone in its ongoing definitive feasibility study (DFS) at its flagship Gorno zinc project in northern Italy, which remains on track for completion in March 2017.

Plant design work being carried out by GBM Minerals Engineering Consultants is now well advanced and will be finalised as soon as metallurgical testwork is completed.

This testwork is continuing to focus on increasing both zinc and lead recoveries from the anticipated 15% of oxidised ore present within the Colonna Zorzone orebody, and the results will be reported when finalised.

In tandem with plant design, a preliminary mine design has been completed by SRK Consulting and this will be refined as resource definition.

Significant mineralisation has been returned in six out of nine holes assayed in the current batch, with assays expected from four additional holes by the end of December. A further ten holes have been completed but are yet to be submitted for assay.

Three of the four drilling rigs currently on site are now operating from nicchias excavated at the base of the exploration decline with the primary goal of elevating the inferred resource, down-plunge of the current indicated resource, to indicated status.

The fourth rig is focussed on outlining additional mineralisation above the 940 level at the western extremity of the Colonna Zorzone deposit. Two holes, GDD128 and GDD130, have been completed in this area and have both encountered significant mineralisation necessitating further resource definition drilling.

Energia MD Kim Robinson said the Gorno DFS was now well advanced with significant progress being made on a number of fronts.

“With our preferred plant location confirmed, preliminary mine design completed and the exploration decline now finished, we are moving through the final intensive phase of resource infill and extensional drilling with four rigs operating,” he said.

Robinson added that “there couldn’t be a better time” to be bringing a significant new European zinc project into production, as the zinc price has maintained its “impressive” recent performance and is holding on to nine-year highs.

“With major producers continuing to display strong discipline, supply tightening further and demand remaining strong as the major industrial economies of China and North America show further signs of economic strength, we believe that 2017 will be a pivotal year for the zinc industry.

“Energia is ideally placed to take advantage of this scenario with a high-grade, high-quality resource in a Tier-1 location, a supportive local community and permitting framework, and a clear pathway to financing, development and production,” he added.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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