10 April 2017
AMUR MINERALS CORPORATION
(AIM: AMC)
2017 Ice Road Resupply Completed
Amur Minerals Corporation ("Amur" or the "Company"), a nickel-copper sulphide mineral exploration and resource development company, is pleased to announce that the Company has completed the full restock and mobilisation of all newly purchased machinery, spares and supplies for completion of its 2017 field season on its Kun-Manie nickel copper sulphide project located in the Far East, Russia.
Highlights:
· The largest total resupply effort ever undertaken on the project commenced on 18 February and was completed on 7 April. Early initiation of the 350-kilometre-long Ice Road construction allowed nine convoys to successfully and completely position the Company for a full implementation of the 2017 field programme.
· The newly purchased capital items, including a Caterpillar D6RII dozer, Caterpillar 320D2L excavator, water well drill rig, truck mounted crane, personnel carrier, fuel truck, drop-side truck and portable man cabins have been mobilised to site during the Ice Road period.
· Over 400 tonnes of summer and winter fuel have been delivered. This is a significant increase over last year and enhances the Company's ability to expand its operations at the Kun-Manie deposit and its adjacent water exploration licence where it is anticipated that the mill will be constructed.
· A comprehensive restock of drill supplies, spare parts, and food stuffs is now complete and the site is in the final stages of preparation for full summer field crew component of nearly 90 individuals. Field operations are anticipated to begin by end of May.
· Mineral exploration drilling of 15,000 to 20,000 metres can now be completed which will include infill, step out and resource expansion.
· The newly acquired water well drill rig will be used to define subsurface water for use in the processing of 6.0 million tonnes of ore per annum and to define a potable water supply capable of supporting a 1,000 man camp required for operation of the proposed mine configuration. The water well rig will also drill a series of holes near the Maly Kurumkon / Flangovy ore body to determine the extent of any required water diversion requirements and dewatering needs from the anticipated open pit(s) and underground mining operation.
Logistical summary
The successful delivery of a record tonnage of materials to site and the newly acquired equipment ensures the Company's ability to continually advance the Kun-Manie project to a design, construction decision and DFS compilation.
The Ice Road mobilisation effort was completed by a series of nine convoys manned by a 35 to 40 team of staff during which over 500 tonnes of supplies and equipment were delivered to Kun-Manie site over a 30-day period. The last half for the Ice Road use period was complicated due to rapidly and unseasonably warming temperatures in the area. The convoy staff is now in place on site and represents a key component to supporting our operations during the field season. Their activities have now shifted to preparing our camp facilities for arrival of the remainder of the team beginning in late April.
A total of 35 tonnes of drill rods, bits, spares and additives have been delivered to the site to support Company-owned LF-90 and LF-70 Boart Longyear rigs allowing us to target over 15,000 metres of diamond core drilling. Additional new and more highly powered water pumps, a pneumatic compressor and Thermex WaterLine heaters will ensure that a continuous water supply can be maintained in low temperatures and steep terrain environments. Two additional portable six-man housing units have been sourced, allowing for the housing of drill crews nearer each of the drill rigs and increasing their mobility with the Kun-Manie water exploration licences.
The additional Caterpillar ("CAT") equipment expands Amur's earth moving fleet allowing for additional operational field objectives to be completed with regard to drill road and drill pad construction, as well as engineering work directly related to the development of the project. The onsite dozer fleet now stands at six. Use of the CAT 320D2L excavator during last year's field season provided a substantial increase in our ability to rapidly build roads and drill pads in the increasingly challenging terrain and permafrost areas less suitable for dozer work. For this reason, a second 320D2L excavator equipped with a hydraulic hammer was purchased allowing for an expansion of our abilities to rapidly construct access roads and drill pads in the remaining drill areas characterised by increasingly rugged terrain.
Additional equipment purchases transported to the site include a 25-tonne mobile crane, a Ural drop-side truck, a ten cubic metres fuel truck and a Ural personnel carrier with the capacity to carry up to 28 passengers. Associated spares for the existing and newly delivered fleet totalling 40 tonnes are now available on site.
Greatly expanded earth moving and drilling capacity over the last two years has resulted in increased fuel demand during the field season operations. This year the Company doubled its summer fuel restock compared to 2016 to ensure consistent machinery and equipment performance at various targets at the Kun-Manie project area. In addition, a total of 35 tonnes of aviation fuel for the helicopter support required during the summer field season, gasoline, oils and lubricants have been delivered during the Ice Road resupply period.
Food and field supplies for the staff anticipated to average 90 permanent and seasonal contract employees are on site. Approximately 20 tonnes are presently available and will be refreshed with each scheduled helicopter flight over the course of the field season.
Robin Young, CEO of Amur Minerals, commented:
"The success of any field season is based on our ability to fully restock the Kun-Manie project site over the Ice Road. As we move from drilling to engineering related activities, we continue to shift our focus toward establishing key considerations related to the development of information required for inclusion in a Definitive Feasibility Study. This includes activities such as the compilation of specific hydrological studies related to processing, mining and support of a fully maned operation once it is in production.
"The drilling is also an integral part of the process of setting up for a production decision. By infill work, we are able to define reserves for production planning and scheduling and the subsequent use in finalising Russian required approvals for operational site activities and laying the ground work for the determination of funding requirements and any specific terms and conditions to facilitate the establishment of a viable mine that is also immune to the impact of variable commodity prices.
"We look forward to initiation of our field operations and the issuance of our drill updates and associated site activities."
Company Amur Minerals Corp. |
Nomad and Broker S.P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
Public Relations Yellow Jersey |
Robin Young CEO |
Ewan Leggat Soltan Tagiev |
Dominic Barretto Charles Goodwin |
+74212755615 |
+44(0)2034700470 |
+44(0)7747788221 |
For additional information, visit the Company's website, www.amurminerals.com.
Notes to Editors
The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by the CEO of Amur, Mr. Robin Young. Mr. Young is a Geological Engineer (cum laude), a Professional Geologist licensed by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, and is a Qualified Professional Geologist, as defined by the Toronto and Vancouver Stock Exchanges. An employee of Amur for 12 years, previously Mr. Young was employed as an exploration and mine geologist, mining engineer, construction manager of a mine start up as well as independent consultant with Fluor Engineers, Fluor Australia and Western Services Engineering, Inc. during which time his responsibilities included the independent compilation of resources and reserves in accordance with JORC standards. In addition, he has been the lead engineer and project manager in the compilation of numerous studies and projects requiring the compilation of independent Bankable Studies utilised to finance small to large scale projects located worldwide. Mr. Young is responsible for the content of this announcement which includes information derived by SRK.
For further information, see the Company website at www.amurminerals.com.
