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Established 1835 • The mining industry’s weekly newspaper July 18, 2014

This Betting on Who are my Don’t be We’re from

INSIGHT

INSIGHT

WEST END
NEWS
week Zazu peers? afraid of government
Greenland: and here to
5… 11… Golder 13… help 30…

Focus: East-
Central Europe
Better times to come for
the region’s miners
14…
mining-journal.com

Angst at Oyu Tolgoi undermines


recovering Mongolia
These views, and those of
Chris Cann others that feel similarly, should
Contributing editor not be taken as slight on
Majority Oyu Tolgoi owner Mongolia as a resource
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd is destination. Most with an
not the only combatant in the understanding of Mongolia
Mongolian government’s most would point to recent evidence
recent stoush over taxes at the that the government’s push on
world-class copper-gold increasing FDI is gaining traction
development. An equally – Kincora has attracted a major
dangerous enemy is time. copper player as a potential
Late last month, 66% Oyu project partner and banks such as
Tolgoi owner Turquoise Hill A year ago the first copper concentrate was shipped from Oyu Tolgoi Bank of America Merrill Lynch,
(51%-owned by Rio Tinto plc) Goldman Sachs, and ING are
filed a notice of dispute with the 8% by lifting a 2010 moratorium against the government worth reportedly looking to back a US
Mongolian government over an on new licences; and may also US$326 million brought by dollar bond issue by the Trade &
audit claiming unpaid taxes, foreshadow the resolution of 106 Canadian explorer Khan Development Bank of Mongolia.
penalties and disallowed licences that were revoked as Resources Inc, due to be decided There is at least mid-to-long-
entitlements worth some part of a corruption investigation. this month, and 106 revoked term optimism.
US$130 million. There are some, namely licences that remain in limbo. Rather, these comments are a
The company has also delayed Mongolian bureaucrats, who Until these headlining issues reflection of a realty that the
issuing the prefeasibility study on would say the matters are are resolved, OT being central, government should not
the underground development, unrelated. They suggest that the investors will still be reluctant to overlook – Oyu Tolgoi remains
which is necessary for a US$4 investment framework is take a punt on Mongolia. the poster boy for investment.
billion financing package to be improving regardless of the “Excluding potential future Looming large for the
executed in September, until this process through which Oyu investment from China and government and Turquoise Hill
latest problem is resolved. The Tolgoi’s development is Russia, FDI simply isn’t coming is the September financing
PFS and financing have already protractedly passing. back to Mongolia [untill Oyu deadline. Provided nothing else
been significantly delayed. This is wishful thinking at best: Tolgoi] is solved,” BDSec chief pops up in the interim and
In a seemingly separate delusional at worst. operating officer Nick Cousyn told Mongolian courts can resolve
development a fortnight ago, the Sam Spring, president and Mining Journal. “So the timing of the tax dispute in the stated two
Mongolian government chief executive of junior the tax dispute has further month period, Turquoise Hill
approved changes to the 2006 Mongolian-focused explorer damaged investor sentiment and should be happy to release the
Minerals Law that are expected Kincora Copper Ltd, told Mining may complicate the process for PFS in time to execute financing.
to include the creation of a Journal that “legislation without Oyu Tolgoi project financing by In fact, even if the dates are
national geological survey and precedent” such as revisions to the September 30 deadline. pushed back slightly, the
the formation of a policy council the Minerals Act “doesn’t mean “The new mining policy was a financing syndicate has proved
to oversee legal changes in the much when you have existing great headline, but there’s no flexible.
mining industry; increase land conflicts that remain unresolved”. timeframe for issuing new More worrying would be the
available for mining and He refers to not only the Oyu licences and it sounds like more fallout should Mongolian courts
exploration to 20% from about Tolgoi conflict, but an action legislation may be required.” Continues on page 9

01_09MJ140718.indd 1 17/07/2014 16:54


2 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

Comment

Also in this issue Cyber noughts


NEWS
Terms that have already invaded corporate boardrooms in
• Cauldron projects back on the boil 6 various industries that are coming into much greater focus in
• De Beers market share to rebound 7 mining include anti-corruption (laws) and compliance, and
• Nickel price has room to grow 9 cybercrime. Times have changed, and are changing fast still.
• Walsh part of Rio conundrum 10 The latter is garnering more attention. This week, the
Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group (AAMIG) posted a
INSIGHT
notice for a Cybercrime 101 workshop. “Most people have
• Exploration success will heard the term cybercrime used, but how many actually
decide Miles-Simich ‘race’ 12 know what the word actually means?” AAIMG asked.
At the end of this month, at a meeting that will draw a
FOCUS
decent crowd, experts from McGrathNicol Forensic, ATOS
• Minerals could help revive Serbia 20 Australia and Clayton Utz will help define cybercrime, what the
villains tend to look like, the technology involved, prevention
DATA
and detection, and legal issues surrounding cybercrime.
• Production & markets 26 Recent reports have focused on the cycle of ‘innovation’ in
• Finance 27 the field. “Cybercriminals are developing increasingly
sophisticated malware – including mobile malware – and
TECHNOLOGY
botnet management techniques, alongside fraud-as-a-service
• Miners must do more with less 28 models that make many types of malware much more widely “Recent reports
available,” RSA Research said in one report. “At the same time,
Companies in this issue a lot of criminal and fraudulent activity still relies on relatively have focused
Alrosa OJSC
Anglo American plc
8
4, 8
unsophisticated malware, such as POS malware, and classic on the cycle of
phishing attacks that continue to yield good returns.”
Apollo Minerals
Avebury Nickel Mines Ltd
11
3 Organisations are being challenged on many fronts to ‘innovation’ in
Barrick Gold Corp
BHP Billiton
3, 4
10, 11
protect their data. “More mobile workforces and customer the cybercrime
bases, and extended supply chains, throw into relief the
Botswana Diamonds plc
Bullabulling Gold Ltd
8
3 pivotal role of user authentication, and the resulting need for field”
Cape Lambert Resources Ltd 3 more sophisticated approaches to securing [personal and
Cauldron Energy Ltd 6 corporate proprietary data],” another report said. “The shift
Centaurus Metals Ltd 4
Chinalco 3 towards software-defined networks, cloud infrastructures
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc 29 and BYOD adds further complexity.”
De Beers 7 The London-based business management consultancy Kroll
Dominion Diamond Corp 8
Dundee Precious Metals Inc 17 said cybercriminals had become more organised and adaptive,
Endeavour Mining Corp 3 continuing to develop fraud-as-a-service models that made
Euromax Resources Ltd 18 some of the most innovative and advanced threat and fraud
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd 3
Freeport-McMoRan Inc 3, 19 technologies available to a much wider user base.
Gabriel Resources Ltd 16 “Between the [Edward] Snowden fallout and increased
Genesis Resources Ltd 19 scrutiny by [regulators]… cyber security strategies that were
Hudbay Minerals Inc 3
Intergeo MMC Ltd 4 largely designed from companies that were part of the
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd 4 ‘critical infrastructure’ will become more of an expectation
Kincora Copper Ltd 1 for everyone,” Kroll said in its 2014 Cyber Security Forecast.
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd 4
Klondex Mines Ltd 4 Richard Roberts,
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd 3 richard.roberts@mining-journal.com Editor-in-chief
Lucapa Diamond Co Ltd 12
Lucara Diamond Corp 8
Editorial
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Chairman Andrew Kent

02MJ140718.indd 2 17/07/2014 17:07


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 3

This week

Production and markets PIC OF THE WEEK


Fortescue Metals Group Ltd
narrowly missed guidance for
the 2013-14 financial year, but
spent less than expected on
expansion of its Pilbara
operations. The world’s fourth-
largest iron-ore producer said it
shipped 124.2Mt of iron ore in
the 12 months to June,
compared to guidance of 127Mt.
It produced 38.7Mt in the June
quarter at an annualised run rate
of 155Mt. It said its US$9.2 billion
expansion to 155Mt/y was now
complete, with capital
expenditure in full-year 2014 to
reach US$1.9 billion – US$200
million below guidance.

Peru’s minister of energy and The happy gang… Western Australia’s minister of mines and petroleum, Bill Marmion (right) celebrates
mines says the country is on with Atlas Iron Ltd’s managing director, Ken Brinsden (left) and chairman David Flanagan (centre) after
track to supplant China as the opening the Mt Webber iron-ore mine in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Production has started at
world’s second-largest copper 3Mt/y rate, before it ramps up to 6Mt/y following the commissioning of the second-phase expansion by
producer (Chile is the biggest), the end of the December quarter
according to Spanish-language
website OutletMinero. During a basic earnings for six months to Barrick expected production to Cape Lambert will have cash,
visit to Freeport-McMoRan June 2014 are expected to be start at Jabal Sayid in late 2015 receivables and listed securities
Copper & Gold Inc’s Cerro Verde between R6.26 billion with output of 100-130Mlb/y to the value of A$100 million
project, Eleodoro Mayorga Alba (US$578,000 million) and R6.90 copper in concentrate in the first (US$94 million), which includes
said the South American country billion, with headline earnings five full years of operation. The unrestricted cash of A$70
would produce 2.8Mt of copper per share (HEPS) and basic mine is expected to operate for million. The board will meet in
in 2016, double the amount it earnings per share (EPS) to be up to 15 years on the basis of the next two weeks to finalise a
produced in 2013. Peru’s largest between R19.50 and R21.50, it 1,400Mlbs of copper in proven dividend and/or return of capital
producers are: Cerro Verde, said. In the first half of 2013, and probable reserves, the to shareholders.
MMG Ltd’s Las Bambas, Hudbay headline and basic earnings company said.
0.12
Minerals Inc’s Constancia, and were R7.75 billion and R7,76
Chinalco’s Toromocho. R7.75 billion respectively, and Bullabulling Gold Ltd is
0.10
HEPS and EPS were R24.13 and expected to delist from AIM
Central Europe-focused New R24.16 respectively. following Norton Gold Fields A$

World Resources plc has Ltd’s acquisition of more than 0.08

reached agreements with its West African gold producer 50% of the company. Norton Cape Lambert Resources Ltd share price (A$)
customers to sell coking coal at Endeavour Mining Corp’s said it had now reached a 0.06
June 17, 2014 July 16, 2014
an average €85/t (US$116/t) in first-half production results position of control of
the September quarter, a 1% surpassed expectations thanks Bullabulling with an interest of
increase on the realised price to strong output from its 50.95%, and an offer for Avebury Nickel Mines Ltd
from the second quarter. This Agbaou and Nzema mines in Bullabulling shares was (ANML), formerly QCG
average coking-coal price is Ivory Coast and Ghana, subsequently extended by 14 Resources, has made headway in
based on the expectation that respectively. The miner days to July 28. its proposed acquisition of MMG
coking-coal sales for the produced 228,429oz in the first Ltd’s dormant Avebury nickel
September quarter will be split six months of the year, putting it ASX-listed Cape Lambert mine in Tasmania. It has
approximately 45% hard coking on course to beat its annual Resources Ltd said it has appointed GMP Securities as
coal, 42% semi-soft coking coal guidance of 400,000oz- reached a settlement with lead manager for the financing
and 13% PCI coking coal, the 440,000oz. Metallurgical Corporation of programme to assess a range of
company said. NWR continues to China Ltd over the final A$82 equity and debt financing
target full-year coal production Finance million (US$77 million) payment options to fund both the
and sales of 9-9.5Mt, with from the sale of the Cape A$33.25 million (US$31.3
55-60% of coking coal in the Barrick Gold Corp and Saudi Lambert magnetite iron-ore million) needed to complete the
sales mix. Arabian Mining Company project. The company said both acquisition and future capital
(Ma’aden) have agreed to form a the arbitrator and escrow agent requirements. MMG placed
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd has warned joint venture to operate the have been advised to release Avebury on care and
profits will slide by as much as Jabal Sayid copper project. A$30 million to MCC and the maintenance in February 2009
19% in the first half of 2014, as it Ma’aden will acquire its 50% balance of approximately A$51.6 amid the global financial crisis
prepares to release results next interest in the project for cash million to Cape Lambert. and subsequent plunge in the
week. Headline earnings and consideration of US$210 million. Following receipt of the funds, nickel price.

03_04MJ140718.indd 3 17/07/2014 16:31


4 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

This week

Northland Resources SA has 35.1m, 56.3% Zn over 18m and People & appointments
filed for corporate 56.6% Zn over 71m. The third
editorial@mining-journal.com
reorganisation with the Luleå hole intersected a copper-silver-
District Court in Sweden for a germanium rich zone grading
second time in two years as it 6.1% Cu, 44.5% Zn, 144g/t Ag Newcrest changes Centaurus exodus
struggles to deal with paying and 66.9g/t Ge over 31m from Newcrest Mining Ltd’s new Centaurus Metals Ltd has cut its
suppliers and shipping iron ore. 197m. managing director (MD) and chief executive and board roles in a
The owner of the Kaunisvaara executive (CEO) Sandeep Biswas cost-cutting move as it looks to
iron-ore mine in Sweden started Ormonde Mining plc has been decided to trim his executive attract finance for its Jambreiro
an “informal reorganisation” informed by the local leadership team as the company iron-ore project in Brazil.
process on June 30. As part of government it needs further focused on operating discipline Operations director Peter Freund
June’s savings strategy, the information before a mining and cash generation. Biswas has stepped down from an executive
company said it was temporarily concession for its Barruecopardo scrapped the chief operating role, but remains a non-executive
suspending payments to its tungsten project in Salamanca, officer role that he had been board member, while Richard
suppliers and creditors. This Spain can be issued. In April, performing for the past six Hill and Steven Zaninovich left
move was opposed by one Ormonde said a legal review months, and replaced executive the board as non-executive
supplier, prompting Northland needed to be completed for the general manager of people and directors. In addition, company
to apply to the court in Sweden historic mining concessions at communications Debra Stirling secretary Geoff James left
for a formal debt reorganisation the project prior to a new with Jane Thomas, formerly of Centaurus with chief financial
in an attempt to keep the concession being issued, which renewable energy company AGL officer John Westdorp assuming
company afloat. On Monday, it was expecting in late June- Ltd. Geoff Day, who was the additional role. Alexandro
the court approved the July. On Tuesday, Ormonde said executive general manager of Moura, general manager of
application for a restructure in the review had largely been sustainability and external affairs, Brazilian operations, was made
Northland Resources and its completed to its knowledge, but will leave Newcrest this quarter redundant.
subsidiaries. “a final formal request has been and become CEO of gold
made by the authorities to producer Kingsgate Consolidated Moves at Mawson
Vancouver-based Mercator obtain comment from the Ltd. His responsibilities will be Toronto-listed Mawson West Ltd
Minerals Ltd’s shares sunk as owners of the historic cancelled distributed among other has made chief operating officer
much as 31% this week after concessions in relation to the managers, Newcrest said. Greg Entwistle its new chief
revealing a proposed US$100 cancellation process, no Additionally Phil Stephenson will development officer (CDO), after
million takeover of the company response having been received join Newcrest on August 18 to Alistair Croll came in as his
was unlikely to go ahead. The in relation to its initial request.” take up the role of general replacement, effective July 28.
company said its suitor Intergeo Ormonde advised that a “short manager for health, safety, “Entwistle’s transition to CDO
MMC Ltd, controlled by Russia’s additional time” was required for environment and security. He ensures significant focus remains
Mikhail Prokhorov, did not this step. held the same position at on delivery from the company’s
expect to request or agree an Newmont Mining Corp. At high grade Kapulo and Dikulushi
extension to the completion Sirius Resources Ltd’s shares Kingsgate, Day replaces former [copper] projects in 2014, in
deadline beyond August 1. This jumped 15% to A$3.95/share MD and CEO Gavin Thomas, who addition to securing our future
came after the Russian Federal (US$3.7/share) on Wednesday passed away in June. Additionally, corporate objectives,” managing
Anti-Monopoly Services said on after releasing high nickel, Kingsgate’s chief financial officer director and chief executive,
July 2 that it was extending its copper, cobalt and PGM hits from Duane Woodbury left the Bruce McFadzean, said. Croll has
review of the deal by two the first reconnaissance drill hole company in early-July with Ross previously held senior roles at
months. If FAS has not at the Taipan prospect, part of its Coyle, Kingsgate’s general companies in Australia and South
completed its review by August Polar Bear deposit in Western manager of finance and Africa, including stints at St
1, the proposed transaction will Australia. Results were 4.10m at administration replacing him. Barbara Ltd, Consolidated
not go ahead unless the parties 3.8% Ni, 2.45% Cu, 0.08% Co, Minerals Ltd, Anglo American
otherwise agree, Mercator said 0.9g/t Pt and 1.6g/t Pd from Murphy gets technical Platinum Ltd and De Beers.
on Tuesday. 104.4m, including 2.15m at 5.84% Former Anglo American plc
Ni, 3.73% Cu, 0.12% Co, 1.1g/t Pt executive Barry Murphy has Klondex hires
Exploration and and 1.65g/t Pd from 106m. Sirius’ been named senior vice Toronto-listed Klondex Mines Ltd
development managing director, Mark Bennett, president of technical services at has added Mike Isaak, Henry
said: “To get a result like this with Yamana Gold Inc, effective Follman and Rosa Whisenand to
The first assays from the the first hole into a 10km-long September 3. In his new role, its team as it looks to grow its
underground diamond drilling target horizon has exceeded all Murphy will be responsible for gold and silver operations in
campaign at Ivanhoe Mines our expectations and bodes very all project development and Nevada, US. Isaak, formerly of
Ltd’s Kipushi copper-zinc- well for the nickel potential at construction, and help develop Barrick Gold Corp, was made
germanium-lead and precious Polar Bear.” Yamana’s strategy for mine manager of the Fire Creek
metals project in the Democratic optimisations, expansion and operation. Follman, previously at
4.0
Republic of the Congo have corporate development, Couer Mining Inc, was made Fire
confirmed high copper and zinc according to the Canadian gold Creek senior geologist and
3.5
grades. Three drill holes miner. He has over 25 years of Whisenand, also previously at
returned zinc grades of 40.9% A$
mining and mineral processing Barrick, was made financial
over 348.5m, 44.8% over 339.4m 3.0
experience in Africa and South manager, assuming
and 33.3% over 305.8m, along Sirius Resources share price (A$)
America and was most recently responsibilities for information
with internal zones in the first 2.5
June 11, 2014 July 16, 2014
vice president of projects for technology, purchasing,
two holes of 60.4% Zn over Anglo’s copper division. warehousing and accounting.

03_04MJ140718.indd 4 17/07/2014 16:31


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 5

News: Americas

Betting on Zazu
half-owned by Teck Resources and port when Red Dog opened. and it’s not complicated in any
Richard Wachman Ltd, which operates the adjacent Teck now operates [the port] way.”
News editor under licence. Zazu’s share price, it must be
Red Dog project, could become
For more evidence that zinc is one of the world’s largest “Obviously [AIDEA] want to said, is still a long way from the
about to fly, look no further than producers of zinc concentrate. see a second user, because they C$1.75 (US$1.63 it floated at in
Toronto-listed Zazu Metals Corp, Ford said: “We are very will be able to extract 2007, trading at around C$0.53.
where Lukas Lundin, chairman leveraged to a rise in the zinc [additional] toll fees,” he said. Ford reckoned the market was
of the mining company that price. When you look forward, He said production would not undervaluing the shares. He said
bears his name, holds just under anything over US$1/lb to kick in until the latter part of this on the basis of financial
20%. US$1.10/lb and the project starts decade and indicated the yardsticks used in the PEA,
Interviewed by Mining Journal, to look fantastic (zinc is currently permitting process had a way to Zazu’s half share in Lik was
Zazu president Matt Ford let slip trading just shy of US1.05/lb, up go. worth more than double Zazu’s
the company was expecting to from US$0.83/lb a year ago). “Given the innate complexity, market capitalisation of C$25
gain clearance to trade its shares “As a rule of thumb for every four or so years is probably a million.
on the US over-the-counter 10c on the zinc price, we are good guess for permitting and He added the balance sheet
exchange, OTCQX, in about a looking at US$80 million on the construction of the mine,” he was strong with no debt and
month. NPV (net present value) and said. cash of about US$1 million,
That has come about after about 8% on the IRR (internal “I always remind people that although forecast capital
Ford received a barrage of rate of return) - US$1.50 and we in the general context of trying expenditure of US$352 million
enquiries from would-be US are away to the races.” to permit a mine, we’ve got it was hardly chicken feed.
investors, eager to gain That said, development was fabulous. Mining-friendly Zazu is not rushing to spend
exposure to the company and yet to get into full swing and jurisdiction rolling out the red money on a feasibility study, at
the strengthening zinc price as Ford was waiting for a report, carpet for miners, established least not yet, so what could be in
– around the world – old mines from the Alaska Industrial procedures, adjacent to an the offing if the zinc price
close and too few open to take Development Export Authority operating mine [Red Dog], all the continued to rise?
their place. (AIDEA), that should outline in data gathered and blessed. Given Zazu owns Lik with Teck
“We have been pursuing the next few months the extent Consequently we’re expecting a in a 50-50 venture, with an
a US listing because, don’t to which it is ready to shell out far less bumpy road than is option to acquire up to 80% if it
forget, although we are based on nearby port and road typically the case.” meets certain cap-ex targets,
in Vancouver, we are a US- infrastructure to underscore Lik’s When will drilling start? “We surely Ford might consider
based zinc property – we’re commercial viability. have done some preliminary selling to Teck if the opportunity
in Alaska.” Ford was optimistic. “The nice drilling and engineering work, arose?
Rattling off data from a thing here is that AIDEA is but unlikely to do more this year. “I can’t say anything on their
recently published preliminary specifically mandated to Actually, the deposit is so large behalf, but speaking personally,
economic assessment (PEA), undertake regional investment. that exploration drilling is of that would make perfect sense.”
Ford claimed Zazu’s Lik property, They funded and built the road limited value. We know it’s there Make of that what you will.

Base camp at Lik property, which Zazu claimed was undervalued by the market

05MJ140718.indd 5 17/07/2014 16:30


6 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

News: Americas

Cauldron projects back on the boil


using any nuclear, but they
Richard Wachman are burning more coal than
News editor
they ever have, and they’re
At first, plans for a uranium importing half their power
mine at Cauldron Energy Ltd’s from France, which is 70%
Rio Colorado project in nuclear. It’s just hypocrisy.
Argentina went down like a “There is only one solution if
lead balloon with the local you want to stop using fossil
community. fuels – use nuclear power.
“We were a bit Australian Renewables won’t be there for
and a bit pushy and we 50-to-100 years.
didn’t stop to allow the “Nuclear is the greenest form
Argentinians time to do it of power. If you have a fast
their way,” said Simon Youds, breeder reactor, there is no
Cauldron’s effusive head of waste, they utilise the whole
operations. thing.”
But an ongoing campaign According to Youds, the
by Cauldron to win over the Chinese plan to build 65
hearts and minds of residents nuclear power plants in the
living near the project, based in next 15 years to meet at least
the Catamarca region, seemed 20% of their energy needs as
to be paying off, Youds said part of government plans to
this week. clean up the polluted
Pickets and activists at the environment.
forefront of earlier “social Argentina was another serious
resistance” have melted away customer for nuclear and that
and local government was Rio Colorado sandstone sand grain with secondary uranium mineral brought Youds back to the Rio
supporting Cauldron’s efforts to sodium zipperite, which has been deposited, possibly displaying an Colorado project.
establish a dialogue with the ideal insitu recovery (ISR) environment “Look, Argentina has had a
locals. long history of nuclear power,
“We are doing things slowly, Yanrey was “the premier “I can see the day when we’ll and they continue to rely on
slowly… but there is an and most advanced of the have tankers running up and nuclear power domestically –
expectation we could be putting company’s developments”, down, delivering pregnant the current government, which
the loaders in by September and said Youds. liquor to one central processing is quite a socialist government,
re-establishing access,” said Bennet Well has established plant,” said Youds. has restated that.
Youds. a total inferred and indicated “Paladin [Resources] has “Rio Colorado is an
Cauldron has recently secured JORC-compliant resource of 23Mlbs not far away. We have outcropping sandstone-
US$15 million of financing from 15.7Mlb of U3O8 at 270ppm, an internal target of 30Mlbs, hosted, possibly hydrothermal in
Chinese investors, so Youds was with a 150ppm cut-off. but in reality we expect it to be origin, 11m-wide, steeply
on a bit of a high. The project covers 1,930km2 of a lot more than that. Our dipping feature, and which
“Common in the minerals mesozoic sediments, suitable for exploration target size for outcrops for about 16km. It has
exploration industry in recent sandstone-hosted uranium Yanrey is 30Mlbs-115Mlbs, been mined historically for
times, the development of mineralisation and amenable to so it’s going to be big.” copper and for silver. But the
Cauldron’s major prospects in-situ recovery mining. Youds is passionate about his rock chips on the surface show it
has suffered through under- “The next thing we need to work but said most people has got about a 300ppm
funding throughout 2013,” do is establish that the material “don’t get uranium”. uranium grade.
said Youds. Now things will leach in situ and we’ll get “The guys who do get it “We’ve done some early
seemed to be changing for a recovery number that allows realise the Chinese are building work in terms of metallurgy…
the better. us to do our project planning, nuclear reactors as fast as they and we estimate below the
The latest fund-raising and also some design on a can, and Chinese investors have leach horizon you are going
exercise, via a shareholder plant, and so on. worked out China needs to to have maybe three to four
placing, would see Chinese “After this, we will be at secure offtake for that… but times, maybe six times those
investors emerge with a pre-feasibility stage, we would the western world just hasn’t grades. So we are very keen
significant proportion of have done our leach trial, and woken up.” to drill it.
Cauldron’s equity. we’ll have initiated our Suddenly, Youds gets into “Actually, we have been keen
Although he was excited by approvals to get part of our his stride. “You just have to to drill it for the last six years. We
Argentina (more later), Youds mining licence.” go to Beijing. You can’t see have got the approvals to go
said about half of the new The Yanrey area was viewed the city because of the smog and drill it, and we started to
money would be pumped into as highly prospective and from the coal-fired power move the drill rig there, but
Bennet Well and the wider Bennett Well would be just stations, that’s the reality there was a big NGO
Yanrey uranium project in one of several wells as the which escapes westerners. resistance… and has prevented
Western Australia, thousands of company discovered more “You get Germany standing access. We’ve been negotiating
miles away. resource. up and saying we are not with them ever since.”

06MJ140718.indd 6 17/07/2014 11:07


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 7

News: EMEA

De Beers market share to rebound


Paul Zimnisky
set to start production in the
New York, US second half of 2016 or early
2017.
De Beers’ share of the rough Gahcho Kué is the world’s
diamond market has been in most anticipated new diamond
steady decline since the late mine, estimated to produce
1980s. Still perceived as a about 5Mct/y, which would

Photo: De Beers Group


monopoly by many outside of make it the seventh largest
the industry, for years De Beers diamond mine in the world in
had control of more than 80% of terms of value produced, and
the world’s rough diamonds in a 11th in the world in terms of
ploy to corner the market and carats produced, using 2014
dictate prices. Aerial view of the Snap Lake mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. estimates.
But a series of events over the Gahcho Kué is about 90km east of Snap Lake De Beers owns 51% of Gahcho
past 25 years has taken De Beers’ Kué, and Canadian-based
market share down from about terminated its supply taken against De Beers in the Mountain Province Diamonds
80% in 1989 to 35% today. relationship with De Beers in a US and European Union, further Inc (TSX: MPV) holds the other
After the fall of the Soviet manoeuvre for independence. pressured De Beers to surrender 49%.
Union in 1991, Russia, the largest Over the next 10 years, the its price-fixing scheme, Using current estimates, the
diamond-producing country in emergence of world–class restructure the company, and addition of Gahcho Kué
the world, began selling its diamond discoveries in Canada’s give up approximately 45% of its production to De Beers’ mine
diamonds outside of De Beers. Northwest Territories further market share. portfolio would raise De Beers’
Five years later, perhaps the eroded De Beers’ market share. For the time being, it appears market share to 40% by 2018.
most important diamond mine This new competition, that De Beers’ market share has Gahcho Kué’s land and water
in the world at the time, coinciding with anti- bottomed out with the advent permits are in the final review
Australia’s Argyle mine, monopolistic legal action of Canada’s Gahcho Kué mine Continues on page 8

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07_08MJ140718.indd 7 17/07/2014 11:05


8 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

News: EMEA

Continues from page 7 This boost in new demand (TSX-V: NAR), prospecting for
stage and are expected to be for diamonds is forecast to economic deposits in Canada’s
approved by the year-end. The outpace new supply. Russia’s arctic, and Botswana Diamonds
project’s mine build cost is Grib mine, which began plc (LSE: BOD), exploring in

Photo: De Beers Group


slated to be C$858 million production last month, will Africa with Russian joint-venture
(US$800 million), which will be the first new non-alluvial partner Alrosa, are two of the
most likely be raised by De Beers diamond mine to produce more few commercial diamond
and Mt Province via debt than 1Mct/y since Canada’s explorers in the world today.
financing and equity. A Diavik mine started production Global diamond production is
definitive financing plan is in 2003. Diamond production in 2014 will estimated to be 130.3Mct in
expected in the next six months. Including Gahcho Kué, there be slightly down on 2013 2014, which would be down
New global demand for are only three diamond 0.7% from 2013. The total value
diamonds is primarily coming development projects in the start operations in 2017. of 2014 production is estimated
out of China where the current world with production profiles Botuobinskaya is owned by to be US$12.9 billion, which
generation is the first to adopt that exceed 1Mct/y. Russia-based Alrosa OJSC (RTS: would be up 2.7% from 2013.
the Western tradition of giving In addition to Gahcho Kué, the ALRS), and Renard is owned by These figures represent a
diamond engagement rings. only other large-scale mines in Canadian-based Stornoway decrease in global diamond
The number of urban Chinese development are Russia’s Diamonds Corp (TSX: SWY). production volume, but an
brides being given a diamond Botuobinskaya mine, expected With little grassroots diamond increase in the price of rough
engagement ring has increased to begin production next year, exploration, it is likely that the diamonds in 2014.
from less than 1% to greater and the recently financed future diamond supply picture is De Beers is 85% owned by
than 50% over the last 20 years; Renard mine, which will be the not going to change anytime Anglo American plc (LSE: AAL)
half of China’s population of 1.3 Canadian province of Quebec’s soon. and 15% owned by the
billion is considered urban. first diamond mine, expected to North Arrow Minerals Inc Botswana government.

At the time of writing the author held a long position in Stornoway Diamond, North Arrow Minerals, Lucara Diamond Corp, and a short position in
Dominion Diamond Corp. This article originally appeared on PaulZimnisky.com. Paul Zimnisky has worked in the financial industry for over 10 years as an
arbitrage trader, equity analyst, and exchange-traded fund creator and developer. He closely follows the global financial markets, gold, diamonds, and the
US energy industry. He graduated from the University of Maryland’s Robert H Smith School of Business with a BS in Finance

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Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 9

News: Australia and Asia

Nickel price can grow Angst at


Oyu Tolgoi
Continued from page 1
Chris Cann not provide a resolution and the
Contributing editor
matter be sent for international
Nickel, the so called ‘wild beast’ arbitration. This would likely
of metal markets, is likely to run push resolution of the whole
further northwards with the help matter into 2015, at which point
of speculative steam but will not it may begin to encroach on the
approach levels seen when the Lock in… nickel’s price is likely to rise election cycle.
stainless steel ingredient last Parliamentary elections are
caught the imagination of metal ample and the realisation of which to speculate. due in mid-2016 and presidential
traders in 2006. which has forced the price down Numis Securities analyst Cailey elections follow a year later. This
The nickel price was up by from more than US$21,000/t in Barker told Mining Journal price may seem a long way off, but it is
some US$5,300/t or 38% to May – are tied up in financing swings of US$500/t over a not so far when dealing with the
US$19,275/t last week compared arrangements and so are actually matter of days, mostly up, lengthening development
to levels in early January before not available supplies of metal. indicated that speculators had a schedule at Oyu Tolgoi.
Indonesia shocked metal Secondly, and more heavy presence in the nickel Last time the Mongolian
markets by enacting its importantly, with pig iron market. He said the market was political train got up a head of
proposed ban on concentrate production out of the equation in a “drunken euphoria” with steam, a series of anti-investment
exports. mine supply levels are actually traders taking active positions, legislation was passed, mining
Adding fuel to the fire were below those back in 2006. This including shorts, though the licences were revoked and, of
tensions in Eastern Europe as will eat into stocks and any “momentum trade” for nickel course, the debate between the
Russia – one of the world’s other disruption to production in was certainly on the upside. government and its partners at
major nickel producers – major nickel centres such as Holding nickel back are Oyu Tolgoi intensified. FDI fell as
annexed Crimea and brought Sudbury, Canada, or Norilsk, existing LME nickel stocks, which a result and was down 52% last
down a raft of soft sanctions on Russia, could prove seriously stand at 305,000t and contrast year.
itself, which led to speculation of disruptive to nickel markets. against the 2006 low of 2,982t. The fact that FDI was down by
more serious action, potentially SP Angel analyst John Meyer The net result is a nickel price 64% in the first half of this year is
affecting metal exports. told Mining Journal he had that is likely to continue to rise, partly a reflection on a falling
The last time nickel enjoyed previously expected a surplus but will probably lack the steam coal price, but also a
such a run was back in 2006 this year followed by a small to reach the heights of 2006. commentary on the importance
during the pomp of the boom, deficit next year but was revising Standard Bank commodities of Oyu Tolgoi and relative
when a serious run-down in his numbers. strategist Leon Westgate told irrelevance of the government’s
stocks and backwardation “Taking out Indonesian Mining Journal he expected suite of investment reforms.
(forcing physical delivery) production, which was 16% of nickel to trade sideways in the Neil Ashdown, from the
combined with rampant mine supply in 2013 and was near-term and then seasonally Mongolia desk at international
speculation in what is a relatively expected to be similar this year, lower toward the back of risk consultancy IHS, told
small market to drive the price the market should be in quite a summer before picking up Mining Journal the delay that
past US$50,000/t. severe deficit this year,” he said. heading into the New Year and has resulted from the latest
Back then, the emergence of On the demand side, stainless moving higher. dispute at Oyu Tolgoi is as
nickel pig iron out of Indonesia steel nickel consumption is He said nickel was roughly much of an issue as the dispute
dragged prices back to around forecast to continue expanding where he would expect it to be, itself.
US$30,000/t before the crash in by around 3-5% annually. with his figures predicting an “You have to remember that
2008 completely pulled the floor And then there it the great average price for the quarter of Mongolia is a small country (by
out from under nickel demand. unknown – speculative demand. US$18,700/t. population) with a small number
The price then spent an The smaller market that is nickel Patricia Mohr, from of political elite [that has] a lot of
uncomfortable period below has proved itself extremely Scotiabank, predicted nickel overlap with the business
US$10,000/t. vulnerable to speculation, which supply will fall by 20% this year, community,” he said.
The pig-iron industry has been could take the nickel price by which has seen her firm’s “So once you get into the
refined further over the past the collar if the fundamental forecasts shift materially upward. election cycle – probably toward
eight years and processing has drivers mentioned take hold. Scotiabank sees nickel trading at the end of 2015, but definitely
become more efficient to the One European metal trader US$18,290/t this year, early in 2016 – the bandwidth in
point where it makes up 50% of contacted by Mining Journal US$23,693/t in 2015 and terms of the capacity to resolve
the stainless steel market – 65- suggested fundamentals did not US$27,550/t in 2016, provided a issues to do with mining
70% of nickel demand – and so point to further rises in the status quo on Indonesian policy. becomes much reduced.”
has kept the nickel price at bay. nickel price but the “politics and These predictions are based Regardless of whether
Until this year. speculation” around Indonesia on basic supply-demand Turquoise Hill has a case to
With pig iron essentially could push the price in either dynamics and do not take into answer or not in regards to its
removed from the market direction. account the speculative driver, tax contribution, the Mongolian
through the ban on exports from The Philippines, another which is that much more government must prioritise a
Indonesia, there is an argument pig-iron producer, is also significant for nickel. On that swift resolution if it is to send a
that we could be in for a repeat of considering a similar ban on basis, nickel could move back message that resonates with
2006. For starters, most of the exports. Whether this goes past US$30,000/t within the next investors and stands a chance of
stated LME stocks – which are ahead or not is another point on few years. reversing its ailing FDI.

01_09MJ140718.indd 9 17/07/2014 16:55


10 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

News: Australia and Asia

Walsh part of Rio conundrum


It is cheap, has good more than sufficient to fund more
fundamentals and is delivering diversity. An independently listed
its major production expansion iron-ore business with an explicit
ahead of time and under dividend policy could dilute and
budget. So it is no surprise pretty isolate the issue surrounding the
much every analyst under the sustainability of dividends. Rio
sun has a BUY recommendation could sell down IOC (Iron Ore
for Rio Tinto. Company of Canada), plus some
But as the saying goes, ‘if it assets (or a share of assets) in the
seems too good to be true, it Pilbara, listing an entity that may
probably is’. While Rio released attract a premium valuation if it
solid production results this week, were to be considered more
there are a few doubters with annuity-like in its dividend,” HSBC
longer-term worries. Rio is busy with its 360Mt/y iron-ore expansion plan, but what lies said.
The near-term future looks ahead of this? It could pursue growth
bright though, according to Paul options in copper.
Gait of Sandford C Bernstein Ltd. was also another positive, with the significant amount of analysis “Rio needs additional growth
This week Gait offered 10 chief executive (CEO) Sam Walsh of the potential floor in iron ore options in copper beyond its
reasons people should buy the having taken a lot of slack out of (some of it by us), the market has current portfolio, as its
stock and, at least on a short- the business since his arrival. Rio’s been so tight since spot pricing greenfield options are long-
term horizon, his reasoning Mine of the Future programme became dominant four years ago dated. This could be via the
would seem sound. also had the potential to reduce it is yet to be proved that the partnering model that has been
“97.4% of the growth in labour costs further at some of its industry will not simply push out talked about in the industry,
iron-ore prices happens in the more established mines, while high-cost iron ore and cause without any real progress (we
second half of the year. In six out bringing the company closer to prices to fall further. We think think even BHP Billiton’s
of the last eight years iron-ore its zero fatalities aim, according reality is far messier than the Olympic Dam resource could be
prices in H2 have been stronger to Gait. simple oversupply/cost-reversion a candidate here, although
than H1,” he said. He went on to The last reason was aluminium, theory, but only time will prove perhaps rethought for a lower
take a look at the inventory which was surprising given the this.” capital intensity). Rio has backed
situation in the Chinese steel metal’s weakness over the past The second reason consisted away from Pebble on
industry and explained that it was few years. “It would not take of three challenges, according to environmental grounds, but
now far cheaper for Chinese mills much in the way of margin HSBC. An over-reliance on iron does not seem to have replaced
to buy seaborne iron ore than the expansion for Rio’s very ore came up again (iron ore it with other prospective
domestic stuff. All of this was a significant aluminium volumes to accounted for 76% of deposits. Even boosting
positive for Rio in the near-term deliver a significant contribution operational EBITDA in 2013, greenfield exploitation, long out
as it looked to beat its iron-ore to EBITDA [earnings before more than double the 31-33% of fashion among the majors,
shipping record – set in the first interest, depreciation and seen in 2005-07). A strong could be an option,” HSBC said.
six months of this year – in this amortisation],” Gait said. balance sheet was also Or carry out a “more radical
July to December period, in Just two days earlier, prior to mentioned – not often thought restructuring” of Rio Tinto Alcan.
accordance with its expansion Rio’s June quarter numbers of as a challenge – which could “An IPO [initial public offering] of
plans. coming out, HSBC published a mean Rio would have to return RTA [Rio Tinto Alcan] would
The company’s capital paper of its own titled, ‘The more money to shareholders or generate less cash than the
expenditure discipline and strategic holding pattern’, which plump for growth post-2015. iron-ore option and not
decreasing gearing ratios made looked at Rio slightly differently. The last was a CEO succession at immediately fix the diversification
for another ‘buy’ credential, While admitting Rio was one the end of 2015: HSBC said when issue, although it may bring
according to Gait. This could of its top picks, the bank’s Sam Walsh was hired in January benefits in terms of transparency
increase the potential and size of analysts discussed why Rio’s 2013 it was pretty obvious that it (RTA is surprisingly opaque),
dividends in the future, he said. shares had retained such a was a three-year appointment, independence and urgency
“Rio’s iron-ore business will discount – it was trading at 73% so an internal candidate or (which are all interlinked)… The
never be cash negative,” another of the market multiple, nine someone from the outside aluminium business at the
slide read, showing that Rio’s percentage points below its might be coming in trying to put moment is… a great set of assets,
average cost into China was long-run average of 82% – to his/her stamp on the business. although it appears to be focused
below US$50/t, a level that Gait peers trading at three to six The bank’s analysts delved on incremental improvements
didn’t see as a possibility. Still on percentage points above their into the options Rio had to funded through additional cash
the iron-ore front, Rio was relative long-run multiples. confront the challenges. whilst waiting for a turn in the
blessed with the highest levels “There could be two, For starters, it could carry out a market.”
of reserves and resources (R&Rs) interlinked reasons,” the analysts “part listing” of its iron-ore assets. While HSBC admitted these
out of its peers, displayed in a said. “Perhaps without any clear “Rio Tinto’s iron-ore business were good problems to have, it
graph showing more than evidence that iron-ore prices have represents a significant pool of seems Sam Walsh, or his
18,000Mt of R&Rs. So it had found a fundamental floor, value that could be used to successor, has some work to do
plenty of future potential in the investors continue to be wary of transform other parts of Rio – a beyond the simple cost cutting
bank. stepping in front of the historical listing of 30% over time could and expansion focus Rio is
Its cost cutting programme Rio/iron ore correlation. Despite raise US$25 billion-US$30 billion; pursuing. – Staff reporter

10MJ140718.indd 10 17/07/2014 16:27


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 11

Insight: From the capital

Who are my peers?


Company pay schemes continue to present a range of problematic questions
industrial-sector share price movements. As a
John Robertson result, the small resources share price index
Melbourne, Victoria now comprises just 50 stocks compared to 99
at the end of 2010. Thirty-seven stocks dis-

T
he choice of peer companies for remu- carded in the past year because industrial
neration schemes should be as free from stocks were performing better had a median
subjective judgements as possible to share price fall in the June quarter of 17%,
mirror the choices confronting investors. compared to the headline index gain of 1.6%.
How to turn salaried employees into capi- The choice of only the most strongly per-
talists is not as straightforward as it might forming stocks to make up the index biases
seem at first blush. Having access to equity the outcome and undermines its suitability
alone does not do the job. as a peer indicator.
As long as equity is granted without any One reaction to the absence of an indepen-
capital contribution, undeserving executives dently compiled market measure with suffi-
get a free ride when external events drive On track… a peer group of supposedly cient credibility is the route followed by
share prices higher. Without any capital contri- equivalent companies against which to Apollo Minerals. It made up its own list of
bution there is no capital loss in the event of a measure share-price performance before any peers. Directors chose 10 iron-ore explorers
share price downturn. Some executives even rewards are conferred is meant to help mitigate and developers in a similar position to Apollo
get another bite at the cherry at a lower price. the potential for underserved outcomes and facing the same challenges and needing
Executives’ risks differ materially from those of to complete similar tasks.
shareholders who have committed capital. resources stocks making up nearly half the The narrower the base, the more subjec-
The concept of a peer group of supposedly companies listed on the ASX. tive the choice inevitably becomes and the
equivalent companies against which to The S&P/ASX 200 resources index corre- greater the chance of outliers influencing
measure share price performance before any sponds most closely to the key S&P/ASX 200 outcomes. The Apollo choice also implies
rewards are conferred is designed to help equity benchmark tracked by investors in the directors were rather selfishly looking at the
mitigate the potential for underserved out- Australian market. However, the index is benchmark choice from their own perspec-
comes. Apollo Minerals Ltd is one company dominated by BHP Billiton, which has a 40% tive rather than that of investors. Investors
going down this route. weighting. Combined with Rio Tinto and looking for the best returns irrespective of
Last November, Apollo shareholders Woodside Petroleum, the largest three commodity exposure could reasonably
approved an offer of three million ordinary account for 61%. expect executives to have a similarly broad
shares to the company’s executive chairman The vast bulk of Australia’s listed miners perspective when judging the suitability of
in the event that the Apollo share price beat would not see this group as peers in any investment outcomes.
those of its peers by at least 20%, as long as operational or strategic sense, although an As it happens, the Apollo example itself
the company also attracted a strategic invest- investor might see things differently. An illustrates why investors should not support
ment of more than A$2 million (US$1.9 mil- investor should be able to expect a better schemes with such narrowly defined peer
lion) and the chairman achieved the KPIs set return from an early stage mine developer groups. Since last year, Apollo has given up
by the board for the performance period. than from the market leaders to compensate on its iron-ore aspirations and wants to
Under the approved formula, rewards for risk. become a copper miner. This leaves the
could be higher with a better relative share There are times, however, when macro directors of the company with outcomes
price outcome. Five million shares would be forces unconnected with company activities partly tagged to an irrelevant group of stocks
available if the Apollo share price outper- will produce prolonged and large disparities and a shareholder approval based on an erro-
formed the selected peer stocks by more in returns between the market leaders and neous assumption about future activities.
than 60%, for example. the rest of the sector, reducing the usefulness The best solution for companies and for
At face value, the Apollo formula neatly of the largest stocks as a performance bench- investors is to look at the sector as a whole,
connects executive pay with the primary mark. without picking and choosing to suit director
sources of investor wealth, although not all The small-resources share price index is the or executive prejudices about how they
the features of the Apollo scheme are as com- most logical alternative candidate for a place should be judged.
mendable. Contrary to recommended gov- in the remuneration schemes of the bulk of Among the nearly 1,000 listed stocks mak-
ernance practices, non-executive Apollo companies needing a benchmark measure- ing up the Australian resources sector, the
directors are given access to the same ment. In many ways, the index is the most median return over the 12 months to June
scheme as company executives, potentially representative of the available measures of has been minus 14%. The upper quartile cuts
hobbling board independence. resource-sector performance in the Austral- in at plus 25%. The top decile hits at 99%.
In choosing peers for its scheme, Apollo ian market. Even this, however, comes with Executives beating these latter two objective
would have had to confront the choice faced some warts. benchmarks could be confident they were
by all ASX resources companies wanting to The construction methodology of the adding value for investors looking for the
define a peer group for inclusion in an execu- small-resources index allows for constituent best of what the sector had to offer. They
tive remuneration plan. There is no obvious stocks to be deleted from the index if their could justifiably get something extra in their
independent benchmark for the 1,000 or so performance falls short of non-resource, pay packets.

John Robertson is a director of EIM Capital Managers, an Australian-based funds management group. He has worked as a policy economist, business strate-
gist and investment market professional for nearly 30 years after starting his career as a federal treasury economist in Canberra, Australia

11MJ140718.indd 11 17/07/2014 11:03


12 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

Insight: Miner’s right

Exploration will decide winner


Miles between them still, but the race is on between the tortoise and hare

Tim Treadgold
Perth, Western Australia

Revenge, so they say, is a dish best served


cold, a maxim which is especially apt in the
case of two of Australia’s best known mining
entrepreneurs, Miles Kennedy and Karl
Simich, who famously ended their decades-
long association with a punch-up in a Perth
restaurant five years ago.
Who said what to whom, and who landed
the first blow, has been in dispute since
Simich left the table at Julio’s in West Perth
with a bloodied nose, an event which led to
the resignation three weeks later of Kennedy
from the chairman’s job at the company the
two had founded, Sandfire Resources Ltd.
After that unfortunate lunch-table tiff,
Simich led Sandfire and its Doolgunna cop-
per discovery to the status of a top-200 com- Inching ahead … Miles Kennedy’s Lucapa Diamond Company continues to achieve
pany on the Australian Securities Exchange, encouraging exploration results at Lulo, which is close to the heart of one of the world’s biggest
and 17th biggest in its home state of Western diamond-producing provinces
Australia, with a market capitalisation of
A$980 million (US$921 million). has done with news from the remote explo- knows whether it has a mine.
Kennedy, after the Julio’s showdown, had a ration site steadily building in terms of Timing in the case of Lucapa, and the
lower profile, busying himself with re-building reported diamond discoveries in river gravels revival of Kennedy’s fortunes, is everything.
a corporate structure based on exploring for culminating with the announcement inves- Diamond prices are rising, which means
gold in New Zealand and copper in Botswana tors had been hoping for: the discovery of whatever Lucapa discovers today will be
via a company called MOD Resources Ltd, and kimberlite mineralisation followed by news worth more tomorrow.
diamonds in Angola via Lonrho Mining, since that the kimberlites contained diamonds. Lucapa’s share price is also performing well
re-named Lucapa Diamond Company Ltd. On the ASX, the game-changer for Lucapa for Kennedy, though with a very modest
With his MOD and Lucapa projects off and came on June 13 when the company shareholding in the company it will be a long
running in a difficult market for small explorers, announced that the Se251 kimberlite at Lulo time before he can match the fortune assem-
it was probably only a matter of time before was diamond-bearing with four small gems bled by his former partner at Sandfire.
someone compared the post-Julio’s fortunes recovered from surface sampling. That news According to the latest filings at the ASX,
of two men. triggered a stock-market rush and Lucapa Simich holds slightly more than six million
Until recently Simich was the clear leader shares doubled in two days, from A24c to A48c. Sandfire shares, which are currently valued
– the hare in a race against a tortoise with Last week, more good news came from on the market at close to A$38 million.
Sandfire’s success down to its high-grade Lulo, including confirmation that some of the Kennedy’s stake in Lucapa was reported in
copper mineralisation, near-seamless opera- diamonds found at Se251 were premium a rights issue prospectus released last week
tions, and strong cash flows. grade type 2A gems, further boosting inter- to total 1.28 million Lucapa shares plus an
Kennedy has been the tortoise, but, as with est in Lucapa, which saw its share price hit an entitlement to 642,501 new options being
the fable, there are signs of the gap narrowing all-time high of A$0.615 last Thursday, before issued as part of the rights issue.
thanks to the hare appearing to have peaked easing to close the week at A$0.525. Given Lucapa’s recent share price, that
and the tortoise picking up speed thanks to Much more testing, including extensive appears to indicate that the value of Kennedy’s
success in the diamond fields of Angola. bulk sampling, is required before Lucapa can holding in Lucapa is worth somewhere around
As Kennedy once did at the Ellendale dia- claim to have made a commercially-viable A$2 million, well short of Simich’s A$38 million.
mond discovery in Australia, while working diamond discovery. However, the Lulo pro- If the competition between the two men
with Simich, and later tried to do at the Nam- ject is close to the heart of one of the world’s was to be judged today then Simich would
akwa sands project in South Africa, the search biggest diamond-producing provinces, and be declared the winner. But, that is before
for diamonds at the Lulo project in northern relatively close to the giant Catoca diamond looking at the share-price trends. Sandfire’s
Angola has been a painstaking process that mine, the world’s fourth-biggest source of share price since June 1 has risen by about
started with sifting through thousands of gems, so the chances of Lulo eventually 5% thanks to an improving copper price.
tonnes of gravel left by ancient rivers. In the- becoming a mine are rising by the day. Lucapa’s share price is up by 150%.
ory, the river gravels of northern Angola con- Kennedy is understandably pleased with There is a long way to go, but if exploration
tain gems washed off diamond-bearing what has been achieved so far, but he has been continues to deliver strong results and gem
kimberlite pipes and by tracking the gravels around long enough to not over-promote prices continue to rise the diamond-bearing
upstream the exploration teams should, Lulo, acknowledging in an interview with Kennedy tortoise might eventually catch the
eventually, find the kimberlite source. Bloomberg late last month that there is “a long copper-plated Simich hare – but even if he
That, so it seems, is precisely what Lucapa scientific game” to be played before Lucapa does not, the race will be fun to watch.

12MJ140718.indd 12 17/07/2014 11:02


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 13

Insight: Services

Golder says investors need


not be afraid of Greenland
When it comes to getting project approval, the Arctic country is quick and straightforward

Nadav Shemer
Assistant editor

I
nvestors are more afraid of Greenland’s nascent
mining industry than they should be, in the view
of Golder Associates’ arctic expert Hans Christian
Krarup.
The global consultancy has been involved in the
Arctic for four decades, and recently added marine
biologist Lars Brunner to an Arctic services team that
includes Denmark country manager Krarup, ice and
ocean specialist Marc O Hansen, and Norway-based
project director Vidar Ellefsen.
Brunner was previously chief advisor for a consul-
tancy in Greenland, a jurisdiction where Golder is cur-
rently advising three companies and which Krarup
said was more straightforward than anywhere else in
the Arctic.
“In the Western world, Greenland would definitely
be one of the quickest places to get permits through,”
Krarup said.
“In Sweden, it can often take 18 months to get an Greenland will most likely not have previous experi- Greenland is an easy
approval process, but it could take 36 months. Like- ence from similar projects and especially not in a new place for companies to
wise in Canada you can have this hearing process area like Greenland. get regulatory approvals,
back and forth between the public, regulators and “They’ll probably only have one project, a project Golder’s Hans Christian
aboriginal groups. that isn’t fully developed and they would therefore Krarup says
“Greenland is pretty straightforward, so if you have need guidance and experience from companies that
a good plan, some good investors, and you do a have the local and technical knowledge to guide
proper job on the permitting, the environmental them through the process.
parts and so on, then there’s basically nothing to hold “Unfortunately, we’ve had to get projects back on
you back.” track after other companies who obviously didn’t
Krarup nominated northern Norway as the other have either the technical knowledge or the local
place with potential for the mining industry, saying insight. It’s a waste of money, you have to go twice,
his consultancy was starting to see openings of inter- your investors start asking questions and so on, so
est in the traditionally oil and gas-focussed country. that part is tricky. Choosing the right people to guide
Ultimately, commodity prices would be the main you is crucial to ensure that your project develops on
driver for investors, Krarup said, adding that all eyes time and to the desired state.”
were on London Mining’s Issua iron-ore project, “and But he emphasised that the challenges were noth-
that one just needs huge investments” in order to ing new – given that mining had been conducted
obtain exploitation rights. beyond the Arctic Circle for at least a century. “It’s not
Golder has been involved in mining in “basically a new business,” he said, but the companies of today
all” of the eight Arctic jurisdictions, each of them with were far more aware of their social and environmen-
their own idiosyncrasies that require companies to tal responsibilities than they were in the past. “You
seek local expertise, according to Krarup. hear some NGOs – they are a very strong voice – say
“Perception of risk and effects is highly based on no one wants industry up there. This is not true at all.
perspectives. Popularly speaking in Canada you can Of course they [residents of Arctic communities] want
do anything onshore, [but] when you go offshore people to behave responsibly, in how they conduct
people get a little concerned. In Norway you can do their business, but ultimately having responsible
anything offshore, but when you go onshore they get businesses getting involved will be one of the ways
a bit concerned. Neither approach is more correct to secure the lifestyle that they want for their people.
than the other, but it does illustrate how industries “Take into consideration that in harsh winters you
have to understand the local content and concerns.” can’t always get supplies to those areas… if they get
Over the years Krarup has seen a lot of projects, more buying power, rather than borrowing or trad-
and the most common mistake he has seen is from ing or selling some of the things they catch or kill
junior exploration companies that are too price- from hunting, it gives them different options.
focused. “Many people in local societies are welcoming this
“Newcomers to frontier development [regions] like being done in a proper way - [through] engagement.”

13MJ140718.indd 13 17/07/2014 11:01


14 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @ miningonline

Focus: East-Central Europe

Better times to come


Although the potential is there, legislative and economic hurdles remain in East-Central Europe

T
he European Union (EU) remains highly de-
pendent on imports of raw materials, essen-
tial not only for the European industrial re-
naissance but also for the region’s overall economic
and social development.
If it is to remain competitive in the global market
and meet society’s needs, it urgently needs to
reduce its dependency on imports of raw materials,
promote production and exports and bring Europe
to the forefront in the raw materials sector.
The Athens Declaration on sustainable access to
resources, which promotes best practices in miner-
als policy and legal framework, land-use planning
and permitting, was adopted in June 2014 to
encourage EU member states to establish adequate

Photo: Christian Bortes


regulatory frameworks to secure mineral deposits
that facilitate investments, while ensuring that min-
eral property rights are sufficiently protected.
At the same time, member states have been
tasked with establishing national mineral policies,
linking them in an efficient way to the country’s Rosia Montana, in Romania, is including both ferrous and non-ferrous ores and
industrial policy and increasing their compatibility one of the largest undeveloped salt, sand, gravel or decorative rocks – according to
with other relevant policies. gold deposits in Europe the most recent data from the Romanian National
Unfortunately, despite the growing need for raw Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM).
materials, several countries in East-Central Europe If these deposits were exploited, Romania could
with great mining potential still lack the appropri- produce around 20Mt/y of ore, equivalent to
ate policies to secure sustainable access to their around 15% of the EU’s total mineral resource
domestic mineral resources. If they are able to needs, so says think-tank Romania Energy Center.
change this, then this could position the EU as an If Romania’s national and local authorities were
important mining player in the global marketplace. to take all the necessary steps to modernise the
mining sector and open up access to investors on
Romania the capital markets, the country could continue to
Romania’s economy grew by 3.8% in the March improve its macroeconomic situation – not only
quarter of 2014 and in March alone industrial pro- through the creation of tens of thousands of jobs,
duction increased 10.7% compared with the previ- but also by increasing its GDP.
ous year. Given the positive economic results and Under the current mining code, the rights to all
the country’s progress in improving its external bal- mineral resources located in Romania are owned by
ances, in May 2014, Standard & Poor’s upgraded the state and these mineral rights are acquired only
Romania’s credit rating from BB+ to BBB-. through prospecting and exploitation concessions
In July last year, the Romanian government granted by the National Agency for Mineral
adopted a national plan for strategic investment Resources (ANRM).
and job creation aimed at taking all necessary The latter recently issued a request for tender for
measures to boost the country’s economic and 24 new exploration permits, the first such tender
social development. The strategic plan set out key process for a number of years.
targets for 2013, including securing investment In January 2013, the government published an
commitments into Romania of €10 billion (US$14 Fast facts: Romania ordinance imposing special taxation measures for
billion) and the creation of over 50,000 jobs in five companies deriving income from exploiting min-
strategic investment fields, including the mining eral resources apart from natural gas. The law
sector. imposed a 0.5% tax rate on the revenues derived
The government identified seven projects in the from extraction and exploitation of natural
mineral resources sector that it hopes will enable resources in the period February 1, 2013, until
the country to achieve these targets. Certej and December 31, 2014.
Rosia Montana, the largest known undeveloped
gold projects in the country, were included in this Slow reform
list. Capital: Bucharest In September 2013, the government introduced a
Romania is known worldwide as a country with Population: 20 million new mining bill aimed at modifying the existing
significant mineral resource potential, especially Real GDP growth: mining code. The bill was intended to increase
rich in oil, natural gas, salt, gold, silver and non-fer- 3.5% (2013 est) transparency and facilitate the development of all
rous metals. In fact, unexploited mineral reserves in Currency: Romanian leu mining activities across Romania by providing:
Romania are estimated to total some 20,000Mt – Continues on page 16

14, 16_19MJ140718.indd 14 17/07/2014 11:00


Company profile Macedonia Au / Cu

Euromax Resources

Project name: Ilovitza


Skopje
Project location: Macedonia
MACEDONIA
Commodity / resources: Gold, Copper
Ilovitza

Company summary
Euromax Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: EOX) is developing the Ilovitza copper-gold porphyry
project located in south-east Macedonia. With an EIS already approved, the benefit of
excellent regional infrastructure, impressive local support and a comprehensive financing and development plan in place, the
company is uniquely positioned to build what will be the first greenfield project in the Balkans for over 30 years.

Ilovitza PFS is Investment highlights

announced – NPV of
> European gold investment opportunity
> Copper and gold production within four years

$675m and IRR 19%


> Management track record of financing and developing mines
globally
> Significant capex/opex optimisation expected through full feasibility
Project information > Achievable debt financing plan while minimising shareholder
Euromax Resources recently dilution
announced the results from a > Macedonian government strongly supportive of developing its
natural resources
Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS)
> Anticipated distribution of free cash flow to back to shareholders
for its flagship Ilovitza by dividend
copper-gold project in
south-east Macedonia. The Situated in the heart of the Balkans, local and regional project
PFS results demonstrate a benefits include considerable existing infrastructure including
10mtpa bulk tonnage roads, power and water, a well-educated and immediately
open-pit operation that will Euromax Resources’ available workforce and also a very favourable business climate
produce an average of environmental monitoring and fiscal regime.
95,000oz gold and 16,000t programmes including water
copper each year over a and air quality monitoring Balkan catalyst
mine life of 23 years. The Euromax will grow over the next four years into a significant
excellent continuity of grade in the main mineralised areas of European gold producer and the company has the right skill set
the deposit will also allow mining to be carried out at a low strip to deliver on this plan. Once Ilovitza is up and running, it is
ratio of 0.7:1. intended that the majority of the free cash flow generated by the
With the PFS results announced, the company is now project will be distributed back to the company’s shareholders by
working to finalise an asset-based financing package to see it way of a regular dividend.
through to the start of construction at Ilovitza in 2016. The Developed to IFC guidelines and Equator Principles III, it is
company is also planning on using an export credit-based debt expected that Ilovitza will be a catalyst for regional new mine
facility to fund the majority of the capex, driven by the fact that development, which the Euromax team will be well positioned to
Euromax plans to ship concentrates to Pirdop – the German- execute. From a corporate perspective, Euromax also intends to
owned smelter in Bulgaria. widen its European
shareholder base
Timeline through an
> Q3 2014 – Completion of asset-based financing anticipated London
> Q3 2014 – Contracts for Feasibility Study (FS) and Front End listing and also plans
Engineering Design (FEED); Engage finance banks to upgrade to the
> 2015 – Complete FS and environmental and social baseline; TSX main board.
Progress to FEED
> Q4 2015 – Commitments for project finance
Field geologists
> 2016 – Complete FEED; Drawdown finance; Commence mine
construction at work during the
> H2 2017 – Commissioning geotechnical drilling
> 2018 – Steady state production programme

Contact
Euromax Resources Ltd
Karen Coke,
Investor Relations Manager,
Euromax Resources,
12 Berkeley St, London W1J 8DT, UK
E-mail: kcoke@euromaxresources.co.uk

www.euromaxresources.com

1p_Euromax_profile_MJ_July18.indd 2 17/07/2014 10:56


16 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @ miningonline

Focus: East-Central Europe

Continues from page 14 Construction and commissioning Gabriel Resources Ltd and 19.31% by the Romanian
Greater clarity surrounding the relationship of underground crusher government. Despite progress by RMGC, having
between certain endorsements required under and conveyor system at the successfully worked with all decision-makers to ful-
zonal planning laws; Chelopech mine in Bulgaria fil the environmental and socio-economic assess-
Reassurance to mining companies that an exploi- ment, the permitting process for Rosia Montana is
tation concession licence would be insulated still awaiting government approval.
throughout its term from any subsequent modifica- Even in such a difficult context, which caused the
tions of the applicable legal framework; and, company to adopt retrenchment measures in the
A simplified procedure to acquire surface rights first half of 2014, it remained “fully committed to
and clarify the legal framework concerning urban- identify, prevent and mitigate any unfavourable
ism certificates and their relationship with other impacts this process would have on the local com-
permits and approval processes. munities’ and properly manage the impact of such
“If these deposits decisions toward all affected stakeholders, beyond
The bill was debated in the Romanian parlia- were exploited, basic legal requirements”.
ment, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, but According to an official company statement,
failed to receive a majority vote. Romania could despite being forced to lay off 80% of its workforce,
In January 2014, the government stated its inten- produce around “it remains willing to invest significant financial
tion to continue modifying the existing mining law resources to build the first modern gold and silver
and establish a proper sustainable mining sector,
20Mt/y of ore, mine in Romania and hopes that the current
ensuring resource efficiency, a stable and predicta- equivalent to restructuring process represents just a temporary
ble legal and regulatory structure, transparency measure until such time as the government
and integrity. However, to date, no legislation has
around 15% of the approves the mining project”.
been presented to parliament on this matter. EU’s total mineral In the meantime, other mining investors are
Moreover, in November 2013, the government resource needs” probably keeping an eye on Romania to see how
this long story turns out. Historically, mining has
issued an emergency ordinance to amend the fiscal
code and provide a new set of royalties applicable always been an important job generator, bringing
to mineral resources to be applied from 2014 upon in about 1 million direct and indirect jobs before
either the conclusion of a licence or the issuance of 1990. This number has drastically decreased in the
a mining permit. past 25 years, with just a little over 2,500 people
For noble metals, including gold, a royalty of 6% working in the metals and mining sectors in 2012,
of mining production value is to be applied under according to the country’s national institute of sta-
the government’s new emergency ordinance. How- tistics.
ever, until parliament approves the emergency From the most recent political declarations, it is
ordinance, the existing royalty rate of 4% will con- clear that mining is recognised as an important
tinue to apply. industrial sector. Economics minister Constantin
Nita stated during a visit in Alba County at the end
Political support of May 2014, that “some mines could be reopened”.
While the legislative framework is still waiting for a Meanwhile, the prime minister, Victor Ponta also
major facelift, a number of large mining projects added to the debate, saying “it would be better for
are also waiting for firm political decisions to ena- Romania to exploit all natural resources, including
ble them to get off the ground once and for all. The gold, if all environmental requirements are met, but
most-talked about project by far is Rosia Montana, this process needs clear political support”.
one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Romanian prime minister Victor Right now, Romania is waiting to close the gap
Europe, currently in its 10th year of assessment. Ponta says that the natural between political declarations, clear decisions and
The project is operated by Rosia Montana Gold resources industry in the country updated legislation. Until then, the re-launch of
Corporation (RMGC), owned 80.69% by Canada’s needs “clear political support” Romania’s mining sector remains just an aspiration.

14, 16_19MJ140718.indd 16 17/07/2014 11:00


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 17

Focus: East-Central Europe

Bulgaria Construction of a mine


The mineral resources industry is an important stra- wastewater treatment facility
tegic sector for Bulgaria’s economy, forming the at the Ellatzite mine, Bulgaria’s
basis of other industries and contributing to the largest copper mine
country’s economic stability and energy independ-
ence. Bulgaria occupies a leading position in the
European mining industry, ranking second in terms
of gold production and third in copper production.
The main raw materials mined in the country
include lignite coal, lead, zinc, copper and polyme-
tallic ores, gypsum, limestone, bentonite, quartz
sands and marble.
The number of identified deposits stands at 595,
which includes 206 of metallic minerals; 115 of
non-metallic minerals; three of oil and natural gas;
51 of natural stone; 151 of construction materials;
Fast facts: Bulgaria
and 69 of solid fuel. 80% of mining activities in the
country are carried out at surface mines.
Despite these resources, Bulgaria’s continued
heavy reliance on imports highlights the great
unexploited potential of the mining sector. Thank-
fully, this is slowly starting to change: preliminary
data reveals that, of all the industries in Bulgaria,
mining makes the greatest contribution, adding
some 10% or US$2.8 billion to the country’s total Capital: Sofia
exports in 2012. Population: 7.3 million
Annually, the industry contributes around 4% to Real GDP growth:
the country’s GDP and produces almost US$300 0.5% (2012 est)
million in exports. Although 24,171 people were Currency: Bulgarian lev
employed in the country’s mining industry in 2013,
446 less than in 2012, the average annual salary of
www.mining-journal.com

employees increased 23%.


Total mineral production decreased slightly in
2013, slipping 0.5% to 82,500t. However, several
projects are expected to come on stream in 2014.
These are set to not only increase mining, but stim-
ulate economic growth in areas that are below the
poverty line and create more than 1,000 jobs in
areas of high unemployment.

Breaking
The Gorubso-Madan lead and zinc mine, oper-
ated by local company Varba-Batantsi AD, is one
mine that is due to come on stream. After a difficult
few years when operations at the mine were sus-
pended due to financial debts by the previous Boundaries!
owners and labour disputes over unpaid wages,
Varba-Batantsi acquired a 90% stake in the mine in > World's leading geochemical analysis group
March 2012 and paid miners their wage arrears,
> Industry leading turnaround time
totalling some US$800,000.
Then early last year Bulgaria’s anti-trust watch- > Unrivalled consistency of accuracy and precision
dog finally gave Varba-Batantsi the green light to
acquire the remaining 10% stake in the operations > ISO 9001:2008 and 17025:2005 Accredited
and the mine is set to start producing by the end of Analysis
July. > Expert Mine Site Laboratory Services, Metallurgy
and Mine-related Environmental Analyses
Copper country
Although not a new mine, the Ellatzite copper
mine, owned by Ellatzite-Med AD, which is part of Eastern Europe is served by
construction group Geotechmin OOD, continues to ALS Minerals labs in Romania,
ramp up production and generated around 48Mt Get the Serbia, Sweden and Finland.
of copper last year. latest
Elsewhere, Dundee Precious Metals Inc contin- in news
ues apace at the Chelopech mine, which produces and Contact us to discuss cost-effective solutions:
copper concentrate containing gold and silver.
analysis E: Europe.NorthAfrica@alsglobal.com
Following an extensive mine and mill expansion
project in 2013, the underground mine processed
on our W: www.alsglobal.com

2Mt of ore, a 12% increase on the previous year. In website

14, 16_19MJ140718.indd 17 17/07/2014 11:00


18 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @ miningonline

Focus: East-Central Europe

March the company also updated its mineral Macedonia


resources for the mine, citing proven and probable After a dismal 2012, when economic growth in the
reserves of 23.9Mt at 3.26g/t Au, 7.37g/t Ag and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia came to a
0.99g/t Cu, and a measured and indicated resource screeching halt, the country’s economy seemed to
of 28.7Mt grading at 2.71g/t Au, 11.22g/t Ag and be back on track in 2013 as GDP grew 3.1%.
0.92g/t Cu. One problem still weighing heavily on the coun-
Dundee completed construction of a pyrite try, though, is its woeful unemployment rate, which
recovery project in 2013 and entered into a three- “Bulgaria occupies hovered just below the 29% mark last year. Follow-
year agreement to sell up to 200,000t/y of pyrite a leading position ing snap elections in April, re-elected prime minis-
concentrate to Xiangguang Copper Company Ltd. ter Nikola Gruevski pledged to boost the economy
It commissioned the pyrite recovery circuit in the in the European and create around 64,000 jobs.
March quarter and the company said it has already mining industry, Lofty ambitions these may seem, but mining may
completed its first shipment of pyrite concentrate. be something that will help Macedonia’s economy
Further south, the company is advancing the ranking second turn a corner. Mining and quarrying already made
development of its Krumovgrad gold-silver project, in terms of gold up 11.8% of the country’s overall volume of indus-
which comprises an open-pit mine and plant trial production in 2013, according to Macedonia’s
designed to treat as much as 840,000t/y of ore over production and state statistical office.
an eight-year mine life. third in copper What is more, the total number of employees in
the country’s mining and quarrying sector
Sustainable development production” increased by 0.7% in 2013. This was particularly
In recognition of the mining industry’s increasingly encouraging given the context of recent mining
significant role in developing Bulgaria’s economy, activities in Macedonia, which more or less came to
in 2012 the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geol- a standstill following the break-up of Yugoslavia
ogy created the first voluntary sustainable mining and Macedonia declaring itself an independent
standard. country in 1991.
The main objective of the standard is to contrib- The country is home to deposits containing cop-
ute to the sustainable development and prosperity Fast facts: Macedonia per, iron, lead and zinc, as well as precious metals
of the mining industry in Bulgaria. It also aims to: such as silver and gold. And following recent changes
Improve energy and resource efficiency; to ownership conditions and legislation governing
Minimise environmental impacts; public-private partnerships, it has never been easier
Provide maximum socio-economic benefits; for foreign companies to invest in the country.
Establish long-term, dynamic and effective rela- Macedonia has already attracted the attention of a
tionships with stakeholders; and, number of miners, including Canadian-based explo-
Strength the sector’s reputation. Capital: Skopje ration company Euromax Resources Ltd, which is
Population: 2.1 million developing its flagship Ilovitza gold-copper por-
Several companies have already successfully Real GDP growth: phyry project, in the southeast of the country.
introduced the standard and the first results will be 3.1% (2013 est) At the beginning of June, Euromax released the
reported during the forthcoming European mining Currency: results of a prefeasibility study (PFS) for Ilovitza. The
business forum, held on September 29-30 in Plov- Macedonian denar results revealed a much bigger deposit than the
div. company originally expected when it acquired the

14, 16_19MJ140718.indd 18 17/07/2014 11:01


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal global news updates at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 19

Focus: East-Central Europe

Left: Bulgaria’s heavy reliance Boosting foreign investment


on imports highlights the great Although it may not be too much longer before we
unexploited potential of the see other Canadian miners eyeing up what Mace-
mining sector donia has to offer. In November last year, Canadian
foreign affairs minister John Bair announced that
Below, left to right: drill cores the two countries had begun negotiations towards
from Euromax Resources’ brokering a foreign investment promotion and pro-
Ilovitza gold-copper deposit, the tection agreement (FIPA), identifying mining as
Plavica mine in Macedonia, FENI one of the primary sectors ripe for Canadian invest-
Industries ferro-nickel plant in ment.
Kavardaci And as Macedonia remains one of only a handful
of countries in Europe to maintain a 10% corporate
tax rate (payable on distribution) throughout the
recession years, this is clearly a factor that will only
serve to sweeten any future deals.
Australian explorer Genesis Resources Ltd
already recognised Macedonia’s potential when it
inked a deal over four years ago to develop the
Plavica gold-copper-silver project with local joint-
venture (JV) partner RIK Sileks AD Kratovo (Sileks).
The JV soon secured seven concession licences
for the area, which was previously explored by Rio
Tinto and what was then European Minerals Corp
(now Orsu Metals Corp), and has continued to forge
ahead with exploration.
In October last year, the company took out a
project in 2008 from what was then Phelps Dodge US$2 million loan, which it said was partly to help
Exploration Corp (now Freeport-McMoRan Copper progress its drilling programme. Although harsh
& Gold Inc), indicating a maiden total probable weather conditions forced drilling to be suspended
reserve of 225Mt containing 2.45Moz of gold and towards the end of the March quarter, recent posi-
905Mlb of copper. tive results include 54m at 3.51g/t Au, 2.79% Cu
Off the back of the PFS, Euromax is now envisag- and 72m at 1.47g/t Au.
ing a 10Mt/y open-pit mining operation producing Clearly Plavica’s potential has not gone
95,000oz/y of gold and 16,000t/y of copper for 23 “Off the back of unnoticed. As Mining Journal reported in January,
years. the PFS, Euromax Singapore-listed Blumont Group Ltd identified
Euromax’s president and chief executive Steve Genesis as the latest in an increasingly long line of
Sharpe said the results highlighted the “exception- is now envisaging investment targets – it has since announced a
ally robust economics” at Ilovitza. “This is a mas- a 10Mt/y open-pit takeover bid for fellow Australian miner Merlin
sively important project for Macedonia, and as one Diamonds Ltd – in the energy and natural resources
of the few permitted mining projects in Europe, will
mining operation sector.
dramatically enhance the economic profile of the producing Genesis has already met one key condition of the
country,” he said.
“The overwhelming local, national, and indeed
95,000oz/y of gold takeover bid, having completed the first part of a
final feasibility study (FFS) for the first of its seven
supranational support for the project places us in and 16,000t/y concessions at Plavica.
the enviable position of certainty of development.” of copper for 23 Local joint-venture partner RIK Sileks AD Kratovo
All-in costs at Ilovitza are expected to be US$334/ (Sileks) has since lodged the FFS with the Macedo-
oz of gold net of a copper by-product with a hefty years” nian government for approval.
capital expenditure figure of US$502 million, Once granted, Plavica’s tenement will be
reflecting the scale of the operation. converted from a four-year exploration licence into
Pat Forward, chief operating officer of Euromax, a 30-year exploitation licence and Genesis will then
said that the company was now in a good position have the right to acquire a 62% interest of the
“to build and operate the first major modern mine in project.
Macedonia.” –Staff reporter

Members from Euromines, the recognised representative of the European metals and minerals mining industry, contributed to this article. Ivan Andreev,
executive director of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology, contributed to the Bulgarian section
Photo: Euromax Resources

14, 16_19MJ140718.indd 19 17/07/2014 11:01


20 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @ miningonline

Focus: East-Central Europe

Minerals could get


Serbia moving again
EU candidate attracts exploration companies with low taxes, promise of unexplored terrain
Nadav Shemer decades-long absence, according to Reservoir pres-
Assistant editor
ident and chief executive Simon Ingram – one must
understand the country’s troubled recent history.

C
ash-strapped Serbia is looking to its long- Once the central component of the Socialist Fed-
dormant mining industry to help it avoid be- The state is building a new eral Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbia is yet to fully
coming the next Greece by paving the way smelter at Bor recover from the federation’s breakup and subse-
for a cavalcade of foreign companies to conduct Fast Facts Serbia quent ethnic wars, NATO bombing campaign and
mineral exploration activities. territorial dismemberment. Alexsandar Vucic, who
Leading the charge is Canada-listed firm Reser- was sworn in as prime minister in April, has warned
voir Minerals Inc, with a dozen exploration projects Serbia could go bankrupt within a year. He has
covering base and precious metals. Most of this reportedly approached former British Labour min-
activity is in the copper- and gold-rich Timok Mag- ister Lord Mandelson to act as an advisor for the
matic Complex in eastern Serbia, an area encom- country’s EU bid, because Tony Blair was consid-
passing the century-old Bor mining and smelting ered “too expensive”.
complex where the state is constructing a new flash With gross domestic product of US$42.5 billion in
Capital: Belgrade
smelter with partial funding by Export Develop- 2013 and 30% unemployment, it is no wonder Ser-
Population: 7.2 million
ment Canada. bia is seeking to attract mining companies. There
Real GDP growth:
To understand the state of Serbia’s mining indus- are no restrictions on foreign ownership, the corpo-
2% (2012 est)
try – it was only in the 2000s that modern explora- rate tax rate is 15%, and copper-gold production is
Currency: Serbian dinar
tion techniques were reintroduced after a Continues on page 23

After the boom … Australia’s exploration and mining Next issue’s feature
investment prospects after the country’s biggest ever
investment boom

mining-journal.com/reports Media

20, 22_23MJ140718.indd 20 17/07/2014 16:15


Company profile Serbia Cu / Au

Reservoir Minerals
Where
RMC will
Project name(s): Cukaru Peki / be drilling
Leskovo / Nikolicevo its own
ground
Project location: Serbia, Europe
Commodity / resources: Copper, gold

Company summary
Canadian-listed Reservoir Minerals (TSX-V:RMC) is a
well-funded mineral exploration company with properties in southeast Europe and central West Africa. The company’s main
focus is on the highly prospective Timok belt in eastern Serbia, where Reservoir in joint venture with Freeport-McMoran made
the world-class Cukaru Peki copper-gold discovery in 2012. Reservoir is now preparing to drill its 100%-owned Timok permits
this summer, including the Nikolicevo permit adjacent to the Cukaru Peki discovery and is considered by Reservoir to be highly
prospective for the discovery of copper-gold mineralisation.

Huge potential in second-largest Cu belt


Project history Investment highlights
Reservoir’s Timok projects are located along a geological belt
known as the Tethyan Arc, which stretches from Romania to > In Europe: supportive government – pro foreign investment
Pakistan. It is the second-most prolific copper-mineralised and pro mining
metallogenic belt in the world, after the Andean belt in the > Favourable fiscal/legal jurisdiction, 15% corporate tax rate.
Americas, and hosts a number of world-class orebodies. > Significant local and regional infrastructure in place: power,
The Cukaru Peki deposit, a blind discovery, is preserved under road, rail, smelter etc.
400m of cover rocks. The mineralisation delineated so far > Municipality with experienced and available labour force
indicates high-grade copper-gold mineralisation in a high- > Strong JV partner
sulphidation epithermal system located above deeper porphyry- > Quality and quantity of resource
style copper-gold mineralisation, and is very similar to the > Huge exploration upside
state-owned RTB Bor complex only 7km north which has been > Strong treasury of C$44m
operated continuously for over 100 years. Consequently, a
wealth of infrastructure, experienced labour and utilities exist
nearby, and along with strong government support for the mining
industry, there are few better places to develop a new mine.
In January, an independent NI 43-101-compliant initial
resource estimate for the High Sulphidation Epithermal (HSE)
zone of mineralisation within the Cukaru Peki deposit was
announced as 65.3Mt at an average grade of 2.6% Cu and
1.5g/t Au or 3.5% copper equivalent (CuEq - CuEq% = Cu% +
(Au g/t x 0.6)), containing 1.7Mt (3,800Mlb) Cu and 3.1Moz Au.
This resource includes the high-grade massive sulphide domain
containing an estimated 6.8Mt at an average grade of 9.6% Cu Above: mined-out Bor open pit (200Mt @1.5% Cu and 0.8g/t
and 5.9 g/t Au (13.1% CuEq) at a 1% CuEq cut-off. The resource Au), looking south to the upgraded smelter and 7.5km from the
hosts some very high-grade mineralisation (>15% Cu), which Cukaru Peki discovery. Above right: drilling 1km-plus holes into
makes mining a Direct Shipping Ore a viable consideration. the porphyry mineralisation at Cukaru Peki
The underlying porphyry-type mineralisation has not been
included in the resource estimate at this time owing to a lack the grade being mined at RTB Bor’s open-pit mines.
of drill data, but is a key target for further Cu-Au mineralisation With Freeport now the operator of the Timok project,
that may be amenable to block cave mining methods. Drill Reservoir’s geologists are freed up to explore the company’s
intersections through the porphyry mineralisation include 699m 100%-owned licences in the eastern Timok that have the
@ 0.89% CuEq (0.75% Cu and 0.23 g/t Au). potential for discoveries of similar mineralisation along trend.
There is no history of any exploration in these areas despite
Deal with Freeport being close to existing mining operations. Reservoir has begun a
Freeport holds a 55% interest and Reservoir a 45% interest in geophysics programme on its 100%-owned properties to the
the Timok project. Freeport exercised its option to raise its east and south of Cukaru Peki and over the summer will be
interest to 75% by sole-funding the full cost (including initiating a $5 million drilling programme on defined targets.
Reservoir’s share of expenditures) of the project to completion
and delivery to Reservoir of a feasibility study. Freeport has the FMTC 1213 drillcore specimen. 508-509m 36.51% Cu,
right to cease such sole funding at any time in which case RMC 8.50 g/t Au. 41.61% CuEq
will retain 45% of the project and co-fund.

Other exploration potential Contact


Initial drilling on the Leskovo permit to the north of the belt Christopher MacIntyre
(also in JV with Freeport) is very encouraging with results Vice President, Corporate Development
announced in June that included 244m from surface at E-mail: chris@reservoirminerals.com
0.38% CuEq (0.19% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au), which is similar to Tel: +1 (416) 703-0010

www.reservoirminerals.com

1p_ReservoirMinerals_July18MJ.indd 2 17/07/2014 10:57


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Focus: East-Central Europe

Continues from page 20 tonic Alpine-Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaride metallo-


charged a 5% net smelter return royalty. genic-geodynamic province. The belt and adjacent
Reservoir has announced it is budgeting up to segments are known for hosting significant por-
C$5 million (US$4.7 million) on systematic geo- phyry copper-gold deposits and related high-sul-
chemical sampling, ground geophysics, trenching phidation copper-gold mineralisation.
and drilling at its four fully owned gold-copper per- Cukaru Peki, the prospect owned by Freeport and
mits at Timok. The three remaining Timok permits, Reservoir, has 65.3Mt of NI43-101 compliant inferred
part of a joint venture with Freeport-McMoRan copper and gold resources, at 3.5% copper-equiva-
Exploration Corp, are its most advanced. Freeport lent grade. This includes 6.8Mt of what Ingram called
has exercised its option to solely fund all explora- “Congo-like” grades of 13.1% copper-equivalent,
tion work, and can increase its interest from 55% to consisting of 9.6% Cu and 5.9 g/t Au.
75% by completing a bankable feasibility study High grades like these can be sent directly to the
(BFS). The partners are two-and-a-half years smelter as direct-shipping ore, Ingram said, mean-
through the minimum seven-year exploration ing production can start quickly and ensure share-
period mandated by Serbian law, after which they holders get a quick return on their investment.
can use their BFS to apply for a mining licence. Such news will be welcomed at the state-owned
This and two additional joint ventures with AIM- smelter, which is being used for toll-treating – mean-
listed Orogen Gold plc and TSX Venture-listed Mid- Freeport and Reservoir continue ing concentrate is imported from as far away as South
lands Minerals Corp have allowed Reservoir to to explore Timok American to make up for the local shortfall.
explore opportunities all over Serbia without dilut- For first-movers such as Ingram, an industry vet-
ing their original shareholders, according to Ingram. eran who has advised Petropavlovsk plc, Anglo
“We tend to dilute our projects in return for fund- American Zambia, and Rio Tinto Technical Services,
ing, so we can do more projects, which gives you Serbia is a great opportunity: a “pro-mining” Euro-
more opportunity for success,” he said. pean country with infrastructure in place.
He said it is a bit like portfolio management: if “Finding something in Europe is really good,” he
you buy more shares in more companies, you are said. “We have a rail network running right next
lowering your risk profile. door, we have the power lines, water, we’ve got a
Ingram has plenty of reason to want to explore as mining town… it’s right in an area where they’re
much of Serbia as possible: the European Union- very supportive of mining, and they understand
membership candidate has seen mining since what they’re getting into.”
Roman times, yet there have been a number of sig-
nificant discoveries in the past seven years – namely
Rio Tinto’s pre-feasibility stage Jadar borate-lith- “Normally, when
ium project in western Serbia, and Canadian
explorer Avala Resources Ltd’s Timok gold project.
Jadar made a name for itself – literally – in 2004
when Rio Tinto geologists discovered a new min-
eral and called it Jadarite.
As Stephen McIntosh, Rio Tinto’s global head of
exploration, said in a recent interview with Mining
Journal’s sister publication Mining Magazine: “Nor-
you find a new
mineral, you find a
tiny little grain – it’s
pretty unusual in
the 21st century to
S ERBIA
MININ
ALL ABOUT MINING
FROM GEOLOGY
G
mally, when you find a new mineral, you find a tiny discover a couple EXPLORATION

little grain – it’s pretty unusual in the 21st century of hundred million GREENFIELD MINE DESIGN
ENGINEERING
to discover a couple of hundred million tonnes of a
mineral never described before.” tonnes of a mineral TO MINE CONSALTING
GREENFIELD
The world’s second-largest miner has reported never described CLOSURE BROWNFIELD
positive results from tests at its pilot plant in Cali-
fornia. It reported producing high-quality boric
before”
acid and lithium carbonate from bulk samples
taken from Jadar, and said the processing of these
and other Jadarite by-products within Serbia could
position the country to supply regional demand for
these resources that are used in energy-efficient
construction materials, the hi-tech industry, and in
electric vehicles.
Avala’s deposit is the other significant discovery
in Timok, a region where the Serbian government
initiated geological mapping in 1933, and where Terragold&co specialty is conducting of permitting process
for geological exploration and start of exploitation at
geophysical and geochemical surveys were under- G re e n f i e l d a n d B ro w n f i e l d m i n e s i n S e r b i a .
taken over various periods until 1985. The Timok
Mobile: +38164 220 8624
gold project, located immediately to the west of
TERRAGOLD

Phone/Fax: +38111 3474 806


the Timok Magmatic Complex, has 2.48Moz indi-
e-mail: office@serbiamining.rs
cated resources at a cut-off grade of 0.3g/t Au,
www.serbiamining.rs
according to a preliminary economic assessment
and updated mineral resource published this week. & co Brand of Terragold&co ltd Belgrade

The magmatic complex is part of the larger tec-

20, 22_23MJ140718.indd 23 17/07/2014 16:16


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Market update

LME metal stocks and prices Precious metals


6000000 2200
July 3 US$/oz % change % change
Stocks (t) Three-months price US$/t (rhs) on week on year
5000000 Stocks2080
(t) Three-months price US$/t (rhs) Gold (pm fix) 1327 0.7 5.9
Silver (spot) 21 -0.2 6.6
4000000 Platinum (last fix) 1506 3.2 10.6
3000000
1960
LME prices Platinum (J Matthey) 1504
856
2.6
3.4
9.6
25.5
July 3 US$/t % change % change Palladium (last fix)
2000000
1840
on week on year Palladium (J Matthey) 865 2.7 25.7
Aluminium Cash 1890 1.8 6.5 Osmium (free market indication) 400 0.0 0.0
1000000 1720
3 months 1918 1.4 5.6 Iridium (J Matthey) 620 3.3 -33.0

0
Aluminium 1600
Aluminium-alloy Cash 1995 0.5 10.5 Rhodium (J Matthey)
Ruthenium (J Matthey)
1125
68
0.9
-2.9
12.5
-20.0
July 2013 July 2014 3 months 2000 0.7 8.7
Copper Cash 7121 2.7 2.9
800000 3 months 7118 3.0 2.9 Shipping rates
700000
Copper 8800
Lead Cash 2160 0.9 5.0 Representative dry cargo single voyage rates (June 18)
8360 3 months 2192 1.1 5.9 Route/Size (’000 dwt) % change % change
600000 19790 6.3 43.4 Coal US$/t on week on year
Nickel Cash
500000 7920
3 months 19848 6.0 43.1 Richards Bay-ARA (100-150) 8.4 -1.8 6.9
Tin Cash 22825 1.9 13.7 E Aus-South Korea (120-160) 11.7 0.4 9.3
400000 7480
3 months 22863 2.0 13.8 E Aus-ARA (100-150) 20.6 -8.2 71.4
300000
7040 Zinc Cash 2230 2.3 20.4 Hay Pt-China (100-150) 10.5 7.7 7.1
200000 3 months 2234 2.2 19.1 Iron ore
6600 Source: Bloomberg, LME Narvik-ARA (100-150) 4.9 1.0 25.6
100000
Brazil-ARA (100-150) 8.6 1.7 -8.8
0
July 2013 July 2014
6160 LME official averages Brazil-China (100-150) 22.0 2.8 16.5
June 1-30 (US$/t) W Aus-China (120-160) 7.8 -4.1 -1.8
Settlement Cash 3-mths W Aus-ARA (120-160) 11.1 1.4 3.7
350000 25000
Aluminium 1834.4 1834.15 1868.55 Saldanha Bay-China (100-150) 15.5 8.8 17.9
300000 Alum-alloy 1973.05 1969.94 1982.04 Source: Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd
Copper 6806.1 6805.8 6777.36
250000
20000 Lead 2103.31 2102.92 2129.1 Bulk minerals
200000 Nickel 18573.57 18568.22 18650 US$/t % change
150000 Tin 22773.81 22767.62 22764.64 on year
Zinc 2126.79 2126.47 2130.96 Rutile Aus export fob (April 2014)+ 925 -26.0
15000
100000 Settlement £/US$ US$/¥ €/US$ Ilmenite export fob (April 2014)+ 149 -37.9
50000
exchange rates 1.6904 102.05 1.3592 Zircon export fob (April 2014)+ 1075 -12.2
Nick
Nickel Settlement is the average of the cash sellers’ price. Cash and
three-months are the average of the buyers’ and sellers’ price.
globalCOAL RB™ Index (May 2014)‡ 75.84 -7.5
0 10000 globalCOAL NEWC™ Index (May 2014)‡ 73.88 -15.4
July 2013 July 2014 Source: LME
Source: † monthly from TZ Minerals International Ltd
1200000 2250 Exchange stocks ‡ Global Coal Ltd (www.globalcoal.com)

1000000 July 3 t % change % change


on week on year Other metals
2100
800000 LME aluminium 5058325 0.0 -7.5 July 3 Price % change % change
LME aluminium-alloy 36260 0.0 -46.8 on week on year
600000 1950 Antimony US$/t cif ** 9550 0.00 1.3
LME copper 157050 0.7 -76.2 Arsenic (Rotterdam 99%) US$/lb cif ** 0.75 0.00 0.0
400000 Comex copper 17866.1 1.2 -72.5 Bismuth US$/lb cif ** 10.5 0.00 25.0
1800 Total copper 174916.1 0.7 -75.9 Cadmium (99.99%) US$ c/lb cif ** 90 0.00 8.9
200000
(99.95%) US$ c/lb cif ** 80 0.00 8.3
0
Zinc 1650
LME lead 213600 11.3 8.0 Indium US$/kg ** 705 0.71 28.2
July 2013 July 2014 LME nickel 304938 -0.2 60.0 Mercury (99.99%) US$/ flask ** 2550 0.00 -27.1
LME tin 11715 4.7 -17.7 Selenium US$ c/lb cif ** 25 0.00 -15.3
LME zinc 665600 -0.3 -36.2 Uranium U3O8 $/lb* (July 14) 28.35 0.00 -28.2
1500
Gold * Assuming 0.75t per Comex aluminium piece
Source: Bloomberg, LME, Comex
Iron ore 62% fines
Iron ore 58% fines
96.5
79.1
1.26
2.46
-16.3
-25.5
*Source: Ux Consulting; **Source: Bloomberg, Metal Bulletin
Comex copper prices
July 3 (US$ c/lb)
July 325.25
August 325.95 40 Uranium 40
1300 September 326.50
Source: Bloomberg, Comex

Leading indicators 35 35
July 3 Last % change % change
US$/lb

on week on year
1100 Dow Jones
July 2013 July 2014 Industrial Average 17046.85 1.19 13.73
Nikkei 225 15348.29 0.26 9.20
Source: Ux Consulting

30 30
1600
Platinum Hang Seng
HSBC Global Mining
23531.44
436.49
2.91
3.11
16.80
23.66
FTSE Gold Mines 1496.80 3.54 22.78
FTSE/JSE Africa Gold 1607.22 2.61 11.98
S&P/ASX 300 Resources
S&P/TSX Diversified 4168.45 1.96 17.52 25 July 2014
25
July 2013
Metals/Mining 6780.31 6.40 28.66

3500 1900

1300 3000
July 2013 July 2014

26 Silv
Silver 2500
US$/t

US$/t

24 1800
2000
22

1500
20 10 years /
ALUMINIUM 2 months
1700
18 1000 July 2004 April 30, 2014 July 3, 2014 July 2014
July 2013 July 2014

26_27MJ140718.indd 26 17/07/2014 16:13


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Finance

HSBC indexes Share prices


All five of the indexes graphed below commenced in July 3 Local Change Local Mkt cap July 3 Local Change Local Mkt cap
December 1985. The market capitalisations below are for 5-day % hi-lo % US$m 5-day % hi-lo % US$m
end-October 2010. Diversified Copper
Mining: This index comprises 202 companies with a total Anglo American (£) 15.15 6.1 66 36,274 Antofagasta (£) 8.12 6.4 31 13,724
market capitalisation of over US$1,300 billion, half of this African Rainbow Minerals (R) 191.60 3.0 50 3,846 First Quantum Minerals (C$) 23.55 6.6 99 13,033
being in ten companies. The index is split 49% diversified, 21% BHP Billiton Ltd (A$)* 37.23 2.0 72 183,260 Freeport-Mc. C& G (US$) 38.19 7.0 100 39,668
gold, 14% base metals, 8% coal and 8% other metals. BHP Billiton plc (£)* 19.78 4.1 89 183,243 Grupo México (MP) 44.62 4.7 79 26,686
Diversified mining: This index comprises 29 companies, with Glencore Xstrata (£) 3.42 5.3 56 77,832 Jiangxi Copper (Yu) 12.92 4.7 17 6,704
a combined market capitalisation of some US$660 billion, Industrias Peñoles (MP) 334.90 3.3 18 10,226 Kazakhmys (£) 3.14 2.9 93 2,402
with the top four companies accounting for 56% of the total.
Rio Tinto Ltd (A$)* 62.45 4.3 26 104,953 KGHM (Zt) 127.10 2.2 86 8,358
Base metals: An index of 48 companies (some US$190 billion), 32.82 4.7 65 104,943 32.23 8.5 94 26,862
with Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold representing 24% of
Rio Tinto plc (£)* Southern Copper (US$)
the total market capitalisation. Grupo Mexico and Alcoa Inc Teck Resources (C$) 25.49 7.9 43 13,768 Sumitomo Met. Min. (¥) 1,698.00 2.4 96 9,660
account for a combined further 15%. Vale (BR) 30.85 5.1 27 71,091 Turquoise Hill Res (C$) 3.68 -0.3 33 6,936
Gold: This index of 50 companies has a market capitalisation Vedanta Resources (£) 11.38 1.0 72 5,212
of US$280 billion. The top three companies account for 39% Nickel
of the total. Gold/Silver Aneka Tambang (Rp) 1,135.00 4.1 30 908
Coal mining: The 36 companies have a market capitalisation African Barrick (£) 2.27 9.3 58 1,596 Norilsk Nickel (Rb) 6,995.00 4.1 97 32,217
of some US$100 billion. Peabody Energy and China Shenhua Agnico-Eagle (C$) 40.26 0.3 91 7,892 Sherritt Intl (C$) 4.68 9.4 89 1,303
account for a combined 26% of the total. AngloGold Ashanti (R) 181.50 2.7 71 6,807
Barrick Gold (C$) 19.34 1.4 54 21,098 Zinc / Lead / Tin
Global mining Buenaventura (PS)
Eldorado Gold (C$)
31.70
8.00
0.0
5.8
25
52
3,131
5,364
Boliden (Sk)
Hindustan Zinc (Rs)
106.00
167.70
10.5
1.5
98 4,238
82 11,861
600 Fresnillo (£) 9.24 7.3 40 11,673 Lundin Mining (C$) 6.08 9.6 98 3,336
Gold Fields (R) 40.10 3.2 25 2,878 Minsur (PS) 1.76 0.0 85 1,818
544 Goldcorp (C$) 29.14 -0.7 61 22,196
Harmony Gold (R) 33.22 6.4 49 1,341 Ferrous
Iamgold (C$) 4.25 -0.5 24 1,500 African Minerals (£) 0.79 14.5 7 449
488 Independence Group (A$) 4.48 -0.4 98 976 Assore (R) 355.60 -1.1 30 4,598
Kinross Gold (C$) 4.47 0.2 20 4,792 Cliffs Natural Resources (US$) 15.99 6.5 16 2,450
432 Minera Frisco (MP) 26.00 -0.3 30 5,084 Ferrexpo (£) 1.36 5.2 18 1,376
New Gold (C$) 6.57 -3.4 45 3,101 Fortescue Metals (A$) 4.63 3.6 50 13,460
Newcrest Mining (A$) 11.03 3.2 56 7,893 Kumba Iron Ore (R) 346.27 0.6 14 10,330
376 Newmont Mining (US$) 25.02 -0.2 31 12,473 NMDC (Rs) 1.85 2.4 90 12,297
Pan American Silver (C$) 16.01 0.0 81 2,271
320 Polymetal (£) 5.90 2.7 36 3,936 Energy Minerals
July 2013 July 2014 Polyus Gold (£) 1.92 2.8 41 9,994 Alpha Natural Resources (US$) 3.64 -2.7 10 805
Randgold Resources (£) 49.40 2.3 73 7,850 Arch Coal (US$) 3.58 -2.3 19 759
Global diversified mining Tahoe Resources (C$) 27.34 -0.6 94 3,770 Banpu (Bt) 29.25 1.7 61 2,330
1000 Yamana Gold (C$) 8.66 -2.6 19 7,141 Bumi Resources (Rp) 183.00 22.0 13 319
Zijin Mining (H$) 1.80 3.4 61 7,017 Cameco (C$) 21.17 2.8 30 7,848
China Coal Energy (H$) 4.14 2.0 27 8,189
Platinum Group Metals China Shenhua Energy (H$) 21.85 -0.9 41 48,546
Anglo American Platinum (R) 489.60 7.1 84 12,229 Coal India (Rs) 396.10 2.0 85 41,878
ed 800
Impala Platinum (R)
Lonmin (£)
112.02
2.47
2.8
2.8
50 6,559
16 2,415
Consol Energy (US$)
Exxaro (R)
45.37
137.15
-2.2
-2.0
87 10,431
5 4,549
Northam Platinum (R) 45.68 1.3 81 1,682 Peabody Energy (US$) 16.42 -0.5 30 4,455
Stillwater Mining (US$) 18.43 9.0 97 2,208 Yanzhou Coal (Yu) 7.00 0.7 19 4,828

Aluminium Industrial Minerals & Others


Alcoa (US$) 14.90 -0.3 96 17,461 Eramet (€) 88.63 -1.9 65 3,201
Aluminum Corp of China (H$) 2.86 2.9 61 6,251 Iluka (A$) 8.61 1.9 14 3,366
600 Hindalco (Rs) 173.75 5.1 93 6,005 Israel Chemicals (US$) 8.44 -0.9 60 10,741
July 2013 July 2014
Norsk Hydro (NK) 34.04 2.8 96 11,334 K+S (€) 24.71 3.9 72 6,433
Global base metals Rusal (Rb) 158.75 2.1 77 7,020 Mosaic Company (US$) 49.01 -1.9 54 18,803
Potash Corp (C$) 40.41 -0.9 90 31,717
600
Diamonds Uralkali (Rb) 159.07 2.6 24 13,593
Alrosa (Rb) 44.72 5.2 98 9,586
Dominion Diamond Corp (C$) 15.41 0.1 69 1,229
Petra Diamonds (£) 2.00 3.5 96 1,755
500 * Dual-listed companies, with effective cross-holdings

400 Ernst & Young Mining Eye Index HSBC indices


July 3 Change Hi-Lo 52wk 52wk
1200
100 on 31.12.88 on week (%) (%) max low
300 Global Mining 436 3.1% 100 436 349
July 2013 July 2014 Global Diversified Mining 821 3.4% 95 830 636
Global Base Metals 518 3.6% 100 518 391
Global gold 1000 North American Base Metal† 870 4.1% 100 870 610
150 Global Gold Index 125 2.5% 67 138 98
Global Gold Ex South Africa 160 2.4% 63 179 127
North American Gold 162 2.3% 63 183 127
800 Global Coal Mining† 666 1.0% 65 709 586
Mining EYe Other Metals/Minerals† 663 2.6% 62 712 583
120 FTSE Mining (rebased) Latin American Mining* 2,099 3.7% 53 2,342 1,825
Latin American (Ex Vale)* 1,590 4.4% 67 1,716 1,336
600 * 100 on 31.12.89 † 100 on 31.12.85
July 15, 2013 July 15, 2014
Mining EYe represents the weighted average market This week’s main movers
capitalisation of the top 20 mining companies on London’s July 3 Price Change %
90 AIM market. Top 6 risers
July 2013 July 2014
Source: Thomson Financial Datastream 1 Bumi Resources 183.00 22.00
Global coal mining 2 African Minerals
3 Boliden
0.79
106.00
14.49
10.53
800 Mining Journal’s share constituents are reviewed on a 4 Lundin Mining 6.08 9.55
quarterly basis. 5 Sherritt Intl 4.68 9.35
The companies in the gold section comprise the leading 6 African Barrick 2.27 9.29
stocks by market capitalisation.
700 The constituent companies in all other commodity Top 6 losers
sections are chosen on a subjective basis to include the 1 New Gold 6.57 -3.38
major producers, and are allocated to sections based on 2 Alpha Natural Resources 3.64 -2.73
revenue. 3 Yamana Gold 8.66 -2.59
600 Fast-track entry into the share table will apply in the 4 Arch Coal 3.58 -2.32
case of significant flotations or company-transforming 5 Consol Energy 45.37 -2.20
mergers. 6 Exxaro 137.15 -2.03

500
July 2013 July 2014 All data on this page sourced from Bloomberg unless otherwise stated

26_27MJ140718.indd 27 17/07/2014 16:13


28 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

Technology

Running on empty
The mining industry can turn, ‘do more with less’ from an empty slogan into a sound business strategy
Shawn Lyndon “The mining industry is facing a confidence crisis,”
ABB
PwC global mining leader Tim Goldsmith has said.
What is happening right now in mining “is not a pen-

M
ining has been synonymous with riches dulum swing, it’s a seismic shift”, said Deloitte in its
since the beginning of recorded history. Tracking the Trends 2014 report.
That reputation certainly held true during Most industry experts agree the time-honoured
the first decade of the 21st century, when the indus- historic solution – hurriedly finding more stuff to
try soared. But today, mining is just the latest of once- mine – will not work anymore. As with most indus-
impregnable industries to be shaken by the realities tries, today in mining it is all about increasing the pro-
of doing business in a globalised, connected world. ductivity of existing assets and boosting efficiency to
Costs of extraction, production and transportation reduce operating costs: the dreaded ‘do more with
are up, prices are soft, demand is fickle and stock val- less’ imperative.
ues have swooned. As The Wall Street Journal said in a This once-chilling maxim is actually good news.
recent report on an erstwhile Australian boom town Being forced to do more with less offers mining an
wilting in a coal-mining bust, “the party is starting to opportunity to leap into a new age of innovation that
end”. promises even richer levels of success and prosperity.
Industry analysts see the challenges as structural, Leveraging existing and emerging technologies, there
not just cyclical. is a way to turn ‘do more with less’ from an empty –

MOMS to ease pains


One of the architects of South the silos of information that exists in the the individual assets in the main are
African engineering group mining supply chain,” he said. conditioned to perform for the life of mine.
DRA’s emerging MOMS The two main software components of “The majority of the systems in the market
operations management software, MOMS are the OSIsoft-developed PI currently are developed by IT companies
developed over the past 18 months, says operational real-time data and events who do not have the process and production
the product will be pitched to start-up management software, and Sage X3 ERP knowledge required to maximise the impact
miners and mid-tier miners where arguably platform. De Villiers said the former provided that systems have in the mining space.”
the best opportunities exist to introduce a the highly-scalable and secure infrastructure DRA is preparing for a formal MOMS
wave of “best practices and management required by the system. launch.
fundamentals”. “The fundamental difference between “From the response we have received
DRA’s Johan de Villiers believes MOMS MOMS and the other mining systems is that from various mining companies to whom
could “revolutionise the future of we integrate across the mining value chain, we gave demonstrations, we believe we are
automated plant control in the mining from exploration right through to dispatch,” on the right track to the management,
industry” (Mining Journal, July 11, 2014). de Villiers said. control and execution of a modern mine,”
“It is essentially an architecture that DRA “The main function of MOMS is to ensure de Villiers said. “We believe that a lot of the
has developed to integrate the various that the mine asset performs to specification, pains regarding visibility, quality and
systems on a mine in order to circumvent the operational costs are under control and validation are addressed in MOMS.”

Where MOMS
EPR system
fits in the mine-
management
software
hierarchy Document control Scheduling and optimisation Maintenance

MOMS Down-time analysis Performance analysis Process monitoring


Reporting
layer and maintenance support portal
Material balance Short-term
Grade control and tracking consumables control
Laboratory information system

Drill control Load, haul Plant-control system


Exploration Strategic Short-term Stock-pile
system mine planner scheduler management

Charge Load Crushing Plant Stacking


Exploration Planning Survey Drilling and blast and haul Stacking and processing and
conveying dispatch

28_29MJ140718a.indd 28 17/07/2014 16:49


Follow us on Register to receive Mining Journal Breaking News three times a week at mining-journal.com/newsletter • JULY 18, 2014 29

Technology

and dispiriting slogan – into a real-world strategy. Africa growth channel for Microsoft
Let’s start with the industry’s biggest cost, mainte-
nance, which accounts for 30-to-50% of total operating South African Microsoft agent AccTech ICT NOTEBOOK
expenses, according to Global Mining. But mainte- Systems has formed a venture with the
nance run as high as 70% of total operating costs. software giant, deploying its Dynamics
How do the vast majority of mining companies try NAV and GP products and services
to hold down the cost of maintenance? By using a through the newly formed Dynamics
time-honoured array of disparate, siloed operational Africa Services. laser imaging systems, Athy Kalatzis,
systems that generate tons of data that is rarely inte- AccTech said it had signed an said.
grated, analysed and refined into actionable intelli- independent software vendor (ISV) I-Site software handles huge data
gence to answer Maintenance Question No.1: What’s agreement with Microsoft. Dynamics sets from detailed laser imaging, with
the business cost/benefit of fixing or replacing an Africa Services is headed by AccTech’s the Studio 5.0 product featuring a
asset now, or waiting until later? former chief marketing officer, Nick ‘Level of Detail’ tool that automatically
That question is getting potentially easier to answer Botha. “One of our main objectives of allows a manageable amount of data to
as more and more data flows from connected devices signing up Dynamics Africa is to help us be loaded and viewed. The new
reporting to operational systems in real time – the grow our already substantial GP and Workflow Manager saves a series of
Internet of Things. The potential to answer becomes NAV base, not only in South Africa, but transactions that are then shared and
the answer by combining data from these operational also in Africa,” Microsoft South Africa adapted within survey teams, according
systems with information technology’s business intel- Dynamics director Kethan Parbhoo said. to the developer.
ligence, analytics and financial information. The products are among the core “This enables standard work
Take a haul truck: combining operational technol- components of Microsoft’s Dynamics processes to be implemented across an
ogy (OT) data beaming from that truck’s connected customer relationship management organisation – driving productivity,
sensors, with information technology (IT), can answer (CRM) and enterprise resource planning efficiency and accuracy. Workflows can
such fundamental, business-critical questions as: (ERP) business-management software be launched from custom toolbars, and
“What’s the economic impact of one cylinder on that grouping. the status of the current process is
truck not working?” Or: “Would it cost more to fix it or AccTech Systems chief executive conveniently highlighted.
replace it?” “Should we fix or replace now, or wait?” Tertius Zitzke said Dynamics Africa “The result is efficient handover
“What does this flow of information say about our Services would aim to develop and grow between crews for routine site
entire maintenance strategy?” deployment of the Microsoft product applications,” Maptek said.
Experienced mining hands may snort at the lines in Africa through the developer’s Kalatzis said as well as being a valuable
concept of integrating OT with IT. In many compa- existing partner channel and through training tool, standardised workflows
nies, the operations folks and the IT folks do not the acquisition of new partners. improved the quality of results.
even like each other because they are in a constant “The depth of our knowledge of
struggle for ownership, which is obviously self- technology in the markets we serve has IES on schedule
destructive. established credibility and respect. We A powerful “next-generation” mine
One sterling exception is Cliffs Natural Resources know our customers’ business needs, planning and management simulator
Inc, the international mining company, that has a the trends impacting their industries developed by Australia’s CRC ORE – a
staff position called ‘senior director of IT/OT’. and the processes required to achieve research body sponsored by a number
Cliffs is piloting integrated IT/OT for predictive results,” he said. of large mining houses – is on track for
maintenance on its haul trucks, with hopes of extend- Founded in 1994, AccTech services a commercialisation next year, according
ing the solution to such other key assets as conveyers, range of African markets, from to its designers.
shovels, drills, crushers and SAG mills. agriculture, government and financial The Integrated Extraction Simulator
“Commodity prices are going down and expenses services, to mining and manufacturing. (IES) is set to offer a single software
are going up. The only way we can remain successful platform to be used daily by mine
and competitive is by bringing together, in real time, Survey productivity boost planners to understand long-, medium-
vast amounts of analysed, asset-related data to and short-term effects of evolving ore
reduce our operational and maintenance costs,” says mining and processing patterns and
John Tish, Cliffs IT/OT guru schedules, they say in CRC ORE’s latest
With the rise of the Internet of Things, IT/OT inte- newsletter.
gration is moving swiftly ahead in many industries as “[This]… will transform the way in
a way to, yes, do more with less. Will mining embrace which mineral resources are evaluated
it as well? That’s a crucial question, since mining has Maptek’s I-Site Studio 5.0 and extracted,” the group said.
historically been a late mover. “IES is a result of a substantial
As Mark Cutifani, chief executive of Anglo Ameri- Australian mining software leader commitment by CRC ORE to produce a
can plc, told The Australian newspaper not long ago: Maptek’s focus on workflow and next-generation mining simulator that
“[Mining] is some 20-to-30 years behind other more productivity improvement around the integrates all mining and mineral
progressive sectors in terms of business practices.” use of its main products has yielded processing activities starting from drill
But mining does not have a choice: it has to catch up. I-Site Studio 5.0, new software to and blast, and proceeding through the
The industry must evolve from a focus on getting support its advanced mine laser entire mining value chain to the end of
more out of the ground to a focus on efficiency, ROI scanning technology. the concentration process.
and maximising the health and productivity of exist- “Automating processes helps “[It] overcomes challenges that have
ing assets. Miners that do not embrace the benefits of surveyors generate timely and accurate previously made fast, reliable and
IT/OT integration may not be around very long. survey reports for planning and accurate simulation of mineral
production, with positive impacts on processing challenging and time
Shawn Lyndon is senior vice president and general site productivity,” Maptek manager of consuming,” CRC ORE said.
manager of asset health solutions at Ventyx, part of ABB

28_29MJ140718a.indd 29 17/07/2014 16:49


30 JULY 18, 2014 • mining-journal.com Follow us on @miningonline

View from the West End

We’re here to help


“The best argument against democracy is a five minute
conversation with the average voter.”
– Winston Churchill

W
ith all of the angst and hand wringing we
go through at the antics of our dear leaders,
one does wonder where it all began.
I suppose we do need to begin from the premise
that government is a good thing, despite our misgiv-
ings. Yes a bit of anarchy might seem a splendid
notion when we are full to the back teeth with beer
and bad manners, but when morning comes we give
thanks there is someone out there doing all the
unpleasant jobs that would be all the more unpleas-
ant if they were not done. The lights work, the water
flows, the sewerage is taken away, the hospital
patches us up, the train arrives on time and the bad- US$1 trillion of mineral wealth to be found in Afghan-
dies are kept in check. istan. Amazing stuff, although I do recall at the time
In ancient times, selection of the government was a being a mite sceptical at how they knew this, given I
“I then make reasonably straight forward affair. The biggest, can’t imagine too many of their geos volunteering to
the point that strongest and nastiest would proclaim himself the pop out for a look.
The report was also slightly lacking in advice on
in almost every boss and cut the nuts off anyone who dared suggest
otherwise. Perhaps this did not always throw up the how we might extract this wealth without getting our
jurisdiction best candidate, but was a damn sight cheaper than bits shot off.
where mining holding an election. A few months ago, the USGS again told us with a
And so while on balance we are probably better off, very straight face that there remains 3,500Mt of cop-
takes place, I consider that perhaps their reach has extended some- per still to be found out there in the wider world,
government what beyond what we, the governed, originally some six times greater than all the copper mined
intended. We should, I suppose, not be surprised at through history.
is now seen this – most of us I imagine would view the ideal gov- Oh well, that’s alright then, and here I was thinking
as a barrier to ernment as being one that does all the nasty smelly we were running short. Now where did you say we
jobs but then sods off and leaves us alone to enjoy life. should drill again?
be overcome This is good in theory, but the obvious problem is There does seem a bit of disconnect between what
and risk to be that this does not sound fun, and so the government governments think is important and where we would
people, in payment for doing all the wet work, insist prefer to see them direct their efforts. There seems to
managed” on also being allowed to have a go at some of the fun be a focus on collecting information that we really
stuff as well, like jetting about in Airforce One and don’t need, making rules nobody wants and coming
invading Iraq. Alas, Governments just attract the up with forecasts that have no basis in fact and were
wrong sort of people who take a mile when an inch is clearly just made up to impress the minister.
offered and before you know it, there is all manner of The list of countries where there are legions of gov-
strange stuff being done that one really does suspect ernment staff assessing technical stuff and making
is not really essential. decisions on a company’s future and its rights, despite
I was taken the other week by a piece in the Aus- having no technical or commercial experience, is a
tralian press that breathlessly quoted a just-released long one. We are, it seems, the most monitored
Bureau of Statistics report suggesting that mineral industry on the planet.
exploration in Australia had slumped to record lows. Britain is not a great mining country any longer and
I suppose I shouldn’t be too critical. As a bunch (not so my government chums at the Club don’t pester
sure of the collective noun – a ‘distribution’ perhaps), me with questions, but when, perchance, in my trav-
statisticians are hardly what of we think of when the els I do get asked by someone eager to help what
phrase ‘earth shattering’ comes to mind. they should do, invariably I reply to please just leave
It’s a horrid job, and so full marks to them for get- us alone.
ting it right, but minus a few million marks for timeli- Provide secure tenure, provide the underlying base
ness. I haven’t the faintest idea how much work is data, provide a clear path to production with all the
involved in a study of this sort. requisite environmental and social checks and bal-
I can imagine the authors being quite chuffed with ances and provide a stable taxation base. In other
themselves, the quality of their work and the extraor- words, set the rules and we will follow, but please
dinary insights they had uncovered, but completely don’t try to be involved.
oblivious to the fact that the report was an utter I then make the point that in almost every jurisdic-
waste of time, effort and money in that it simply told tion where mining takes place, government is now
us something we all knew 18 months ago, and did seen as a barrier to be overcome and risk to be man-
not even pretend to provide any solutions, which is aged.
what we would have liked to have seen. Less is more it seems is not a mantra that wins
About 10 years ago, the USGS told us there was votes.

30MJ140718.indd 30 17/07/2014 10:55


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