Kef Rebiba Trench Assays Confirm Prospectivity
Sydney, Mar 2, 2012 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Celamin Ltd (
ASX:CNL) in conjunction with Joint Venture partner Tunisian Mining Services SARL (TMS)) have completed two trenches at Kef Rebiba on the Bir El Afou Exploration Permit (EP) in Northern Tunisia. The permit is jointly held with TMS.
This is the first work by Celamin TMS on this part of the Bir El Afou (BEA) permit area. The location of these trenches and the results for the two trenches are summarised in the full announcement. (See Link Below)
As can be seen from the assays there are three phosphate horizons at Kef Rebiba. The phosphate layers are separated by 0.3 to 1.3metre thick beds compact marl with silexite (silica nodules) and limestone that grade less that 5% of less P2O5. The upper part of each layer generally has the highest grade. It might be possible to upgrade the phosphate rock prior to treatment by simple screening. This will be tested are part of a future metallurgical program for material from Kef Rebiba.
The Kef Rebiba plateau is structurally very different from the other prospects within the BEA project area. Kef Rebiba is essentially a flat mesa with the phosphate rich horizon exposed on three sides. In this regard it is similar to the Gassaa Kebira prospect at Chaketma. Most of the other prospects at BEA are monoclines with the phosphate exposed on only one face. Kef Rebiba was mined for a brief period prior to 1940. However, experience at Gafsa (centre of Tunisian phosphate production) shows that only 30% of the available ore could be extracted by the room and pillar stoping method used at that time.
The standard of trenching is high; the trenches are dug perpendicular to stratigraphy and sampling to geological boundaries is carried out along channels cut uniformly with an angle-grinder. The position of each sample is determined by hand-held GPS. Sample locations are marked with spray paint for later pick up by a surveyor.
Celamin is yet to compile historic data for Kef Rebiba. However, comparisons between historic and new results at Chaketma confirm the accuracy of the historic assay techniques.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The BEA phosphate project area was granted to Celamin and TMS on the 16 February 2010. It is one of only two privately held concessions for phosphate in North Africa, the other being Chaketma which is also held jointly by Celamin and TMS. All other phosphate deposits are reserved for state controlled enterprises. Celamin has agreed to a 50% Tunisian interest in each project at the time of development. Under the terms of the agreement Celamin will fund of 95% of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) costs and 70% of the Feasibility Study (FS) costs of the first development project. All costs thereafter will be according to percentage participation in the project or projects.
Bir El Afou is located in northern Tunisian Eocene sedimentary basins that were uplifted and structurally deformed post-deposition. BEA typically has three phosphate units, which are separated by internal waste. The top most unit is usually a phos-arenite with coarse grained coprolite.
Celamin TMS initially focused on BEA. Between work commencing in December 2010 and August 2011, Celamin and TMS have completed 5,360m of diamond core drilling (66 holes), and 229m of trenching & pitting (17 openings).
The Pre-Feasibility Study on BEA showed:
- Maiden Inferred Resource of 29Mt at 11.1% P2O5 at 7.5% P2O5 cutoff grade;
- High grade 30% P2O5 phosphate rock concentrate achievable at 150 micron grind;
- Additional exploration targets with potential for 115 to 175 million tonnes phosphate exist at Kef Rebiba, Bea El Afou Blocks D, E, F and Majuoba;
- Good potential to increase grade, tonnage and improve mining factors during further Delineation Phase;
- Project enjoys significant advantages with large identified Target Potential situated in a favorable geographical location and geopolitical jurisdiction;
- no 'fatal-flaws' to development potential targeting 1.5Mtpa phosphate rock production for export sales ;
- Access to existing well located infrastructure and services;
- Encouraging investment terms (5-year tax holiday);
- A well educated local community with job creation as a strong social imperative.
- The major findings of the BEA PFS are applicable to the Chaketma Project, which has similar geology, mining, processing and infrastructure requirements;
- BEA and Chaketma Projects could share process and infrastructure facilities reducing capital cost;
Please view full announcement for all tables, charts and diagrams at:
http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-CNL-370244.pdf
Contact
Celamin Holdings NL
T: +61-3-9692-7222
F: +61-3-9529-8057
WWW: celaminnl.com.au
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