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In Oman, Mawarid is exploring for
Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS)
copper-gold deposits in the volcanic
sequence of the Semail Ophiolite, Northern
Oman. Mawarid holds Blocks 1 and 2 to the
northwest of Sohar, and the Ghuzayn Block to
the south-southeast of Sohar.
Following the exploration successes at
Shinas and Hatta, Mawarid has focused on the
identification of VMS deposits elsewhere in
our exploration licenses. An intensive
programme of airborne VTEM, ground
geophysics, field mapping and drilling
resulted in the discovery of several blind
massive sulphide deposits at Aswad, Mandoos,
Safwa and Khaznah. Recent discoveries plus
known deposits at Ghuzayn means that Mawarid
now has a LOM for Oman copper extending out
to 2021.
|
Deposit |
Inferred |
Indicated |
Measured |
Total
(Indicated+ Measured) |
CU% |
|
Shinas |
0 |
1,571,000 |
0 |
1,571,000 |
0.72 |
|
Ghuzayn 3 |
1,703,000 |
8,368,000 |
0 |
8,368,000 |
1.95 |
|
Ghuzayn 2 |
4,750,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.40 |
|
Mandoos |
0 |
1,695,500 |
6,541,500 |
8,237,000 |
1.48 |
|
Safwa |
0 |
0 |
1,159,700 |
1,159,700 |
2.66 |
|
Aswad |
2,560,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.20 |
|
Hatta West |
310,400 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.27 |
|
Khaznah |
350,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
|
Total |
9,673,400 |
11,634,500 |
7,701,200 |
19,335,700 |
1.70 |
Shinas
Potential exists for a cutback within the
lower grade stock-work mineralisation.
Safwa
The Safwa orebody is currently being mined
and is due for completion in October 2011.
The Safwa ore will supply the Lasail
concentrator with high grade ore until July
2012.
Mandoos
A cluster of three massive sulphide lenses
occur beneath a gravel plain at Mandoos, 53
km NW of Sohar. The three lenses (Mandoos 1,
Mandoos 2 and Mandoos 3) occur at a similar
stratigraphic position and are thought to
have formed during the same mineralising
event. The Mandoos 1 lens is the largest
deposit with a resource containing 8.2Mt @
1.48% Cu. Mawarid has obtained a mining
license and plans to start pre-stripping in
November 2011. The open pit reserves are
1.9Mt @ 2.2% Cu for 2.5 year mine life.
Mandoos also has good potential for further
development underground.
Aswad
Aswad has a contained resource of 2.6Mt @
2.2% Cu. At this stage it has only been
drilled out on a 50x50m grid and requires
further drilling. Due to its depth mining is
planned via underground methods. Mawarid
plans to proceed with a detailed mining
study and mine license application.
Ghuzayn
Previous exploration in the Ghuzayn Block by
JICA identified VMS mineralisation at
Ghuzayn 2 and 3 prospects. Infill drilling
carried out by Mawarid at Ghuzayn 2 and 3
has confirmed and defined large indicated
resources at both sites at moderate depth.
At Ghuzayn 3 a reserve of 5.7Mt @ 1.9% Cu
has been defined for an underground mine. A
mining feasibility study has been submitted
to the Ministry of Commerce and an EIA is
underway for the purpose of gaining a mine
license. The mine life will 8 years
including 2 years for development. The
Ghuzayn project is scheduled to follow on
from Mandoos. Mine design and reserve
estimation for Ghuzayn 2 are planned to be
completed in late 2011.
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