Study on the Analysis of Chromite Refractory Brick from Mwe Taung Chromite Ore
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Transcript of Objective Capital Rare Earth and Minor Metals Investment Summit: Overview of the chromite market –...
RARE EARTHS, SPECIALITY & MINOR METALS INVESTMENT SUMMIT
THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ● THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 2010www.ObjectiveCapitalConferences.com
Investment Conferences
4.10 – 4.35 Overview of the chromite market –building European supplyDavid Cliff – CEO, Empire Mining
Investment Conferences
EPC: TSX-V
Empire Mining Corporation910 - 475 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2B3CANADA
www.empireminingcorp.com
Overview of the Chromite Market:building European supply
David CliffPresident and CEO
Empire Mining Corp ( EPC: TSX-V)
March 2010
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DISCLAIMER
This presentation contains forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including withoutlimitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation ReformAct of 1995 (“forward-looking statements”), respecting the Company’s future plans respecting its mineral projects.Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to bematerially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitationthe availability of qualified workers; risks associated with exploration projects; dependence on third parties forservices; non-performance by contractual counterparties; title risks; financial ability of the company to proceed asplanned; force majeure; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based ona number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about: generalbusiness and economic conditions; the timing and receipt of required approvals; ability to procure equipment andsupplies; continued availability of licences; political stability; and ongoing relations with employees, partners andjoint venturers. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and we undertake no obligation to update any of the foregoingexcept as required by law.
John Prochnau is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) and is the Qualified Person under National Instrument43-101 for the projects discussed in this presentation, however the historic figures presented herein are not NI 43-101 compliant. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineralresources or mineral reserves, the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources ormineral reserves as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and the historical estimates should not be relied upon.
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MANAGEMENTDirectors and Officers
Robert Giustra - Director Engaged in creating, financing, developing and managing publicly traded companies since 1992;
Formerly an institutional sales broker with an international investment dealer;
President & CEO of Columbus Gold Corporation and Columbus Silver Corporation.
Michael Johnson – Director Former Chairman of Glebe Mines Ltd., the principal fluorspar-barytes mining company in Western Europe;
Holds (or has held) advisory positions with professional institutes, national governments, international agencies and funding organizations, including the World Bank and the UN (Environment Program);
External advisor on environmental matters to several international mining companies, including Rio Tinto and New Boliden-Outokumpu.
David Cliff - President & CEO, Director 26 years with Rio Tinto; former Exploration Manager, Europe of Rio Tinto Exploration;
Involved in the discovery of three gold and one copper deposit;
Extensive experience in the evaluation of mineral projects and in the negotiation of all forms of mining industry agreements.
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MANAGEMENTManagement and Specialist Advisors
John Prochnau - Special Advisor Mining engineer and geologist;
Formerly held management positions with Selection Trust and Billiton;
Founder of Brancote Holdings: Discovery of the approx. 3.8M oz. Esquel gold deposit in Argentina.
Professor Lirim Hohxa - Country Manager Albania Over 50 years experience in ore deposit geology in Albania; 30 years at a senior level;
Former Director Department of Ore Deposits & Metallogeny, Geological Research Institute;
Former Deputy Director of the Albanian Geological Survey;
Specialist in the interpretation of thrust tectonics applied to ore geology.
Mark Pepkola Former Chief Geologist at the Bulqiza Mine;
Former Director and specialist at the Enterprise for Homogenisation and Processing of Chromite Ores
Former Vice-Director of the former state chromite mining company, Albkrom;
Extensive experience in the Albanian chromite industry.
Bashkim Vata Former exploration geologist, northern Bulqiza Area;
Director of the Burrel Branch of the Albanian Geological Survey.
Yassen Khrischev – Exploration Vice-President Exploration geologist with 15 years experience, especially within the SE Europe porphyry region;
International multi-commodity experience over 11 years with Rio Tinto;
Most recent experience with Newmont exploration for gold in Armenia.
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CONTENTS
What is chromite? Why is it essential?
Outlook for chromite.
Empire’s Albanian chromite project.
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CHROMITEThe essential ingredient of stainless steel
Fe + Cr essential to make stainless steel
Add Ni to make it less brittle and non-magnetic.
Mn can substitute Ni.
Mo adds resistance to Cl.
Carbon for hardness and strength (also + V and or Ti for strength and/or lightness).
But chromium is essential to make stainless
steel
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CHROMITE ESSENTIALSMetallurgical counts for most
Chromium is essential to the production of Austenitic stainless steel – typically 16% Cr +10%Ni + 1.5%C - which makes up 70% of production, as well as Ferritic and Martseniticvarieties. Albanian (or Kazakh or Turkish mainly) are blended with low Cr:Fe ratio chromites in the ferrochrome stage to produce the highest quality stainless steels.
Metallurgical quality chromite for ferrochrome utilises 90% of annual world production.
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CHROMITE ESSENTIALS
• Primary source of chromium
• FeCr3O4 (referred to as chrome spinel).
• Grades reported as Cr2O3.
• Occurs dominantly as layers in stratiformultramafic complexes . Also as ‘podiform’ bodies in ophiolite complexes. Cr:Fe typically +/-3:1. Kazakhstan, Turkey, Albania.
• Stratiform type accounts for 98% of global resources. Cr:Fe typically +/-2:1.
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CONTENTS
What is chromite? Why is it essential?
Outlook for chromite.
Empire’s Albanian chromite project.
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FERROCHROME PRICE TRENDS MID-2005 TO MARCH 2010Source: Allegheny Ludlum updates Dow Jones Newswire
Albanian FOB chromite price reached $650 per tonnes for lump 40% Cr2O3 in 2008, dropped to $165/tonne in Q1 2009, but is coming back strongly. FOB ex Durres Port now $250/t.
$ per lb Ferrochrome
Ferrochrome is the intermediate stage from ore to stainless . About 2.5 tonnes of ore to 1 tonne ferrochrome
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A REVIVED EUROPEAN SUPPLY?
What is chromite? Why is it essential?
Outlook for chromite.
Empire’s Albanian chromite project.
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0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
Chromite Production in Albania, 1983 – 2009[t]
Sources :USBM and BGS2008/9 Estimated
Chromite [t]
HISTORIC CHROMITE PRODUCTION IN ALBANIA*Dominance of Bulqiza district in production (est >80%)
Collapse of regime 1990
Response to chromite demand
* Data compiled by ECTerra except 2008/9(Figures in tonnes)
1980s production of +/-800 000 tonnes from Bulqiza-Batra
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BULQIZA DISTRICT OPPORTUNITYThe essential ingredient for high quality stainless steel
• Empire holds exclusive exploration rights with consanguineous mining rights over the most historically productive chromite terrain in Albania.
• Licence area held since January 2009. Five years to run, but mining rights can be applied for any time within that period over all or part of the licence.
• Exhaustive data acquisition and review resulted in new target area for exploration development and mining. Empire Mining aims for >10Mt of high grade lump (+$200/t) chromite through a phased exploration/mining plan.
• Aiming for start-up operation within 12-18 months at interim 150 000 tonnes per year. Added value potential in integrating mine-to-steel mill operation.
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INTRODUCTIONAlbania
Albania political and fiscal regime
Candidate EU country and NATO member. Acceptance of acquiscommunitaire by government in interests of greater transparency.
Improving political risk perception with stable parliamentary democratic institutions.
No restrictions on foreign ownership or capital/dividend restrictions.
Competitive corporate tax regime at 10% flat rate.
Investor-friendly mining code with consanguineous rights to apply for mining licence.
Duty free regime for importation of mining equipment.
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INFRASTRUCTUREImplications for Development
Current road access from Bulqiza to port of Durres is 150 km. Current transport time is 12 hours and costs at US$13 per tonne of ore.
The current road isshown in blue.
A new road (red/green dash) is under construction and due for completion in 2011/2. This will cut the average journey time to some 2 hours from chromite collection point to port.
Durres PortDurres Port
Tirana
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ALBANIAGeological Map
Bulqiza town and the head frame (operated by DCM-Terwingo JV), looking East.
DCM-Terwingo JV tailings recovery plant, Bulqiza. View to NW.
Eastern Ophiolite
Belt
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BULQIZA MASSIF
Historic Bulqiza Massif Production (1948-2007) of 20M tonnes (+35% Cr2O3).
Bulqiza ores are characterized by high grades (+40% Cr2O3) and (Cr:Fe ratios of 3:1).
The Bulqiza Massif contains some 65 identified chromite deposits and over 370 occurrences and showings; many are within Empire’s licence areas.
BULQIZA MASSIF: the most prolific chromite producer in Albania
Batra area: private mining operation adjoining Empire licence. 70,000 tonnes at >42% Cr2O3 extracted (October 2009). 17,000 tonnes high grade stockpile in centre of picture.
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EMPIRE’S LICENCES
Bulqiza-Batra (38.8 km2) Direct extension of the Bulqiza and
Batra chromite deposits (large red area).
Bulqiza Veriore (6.9 km2) Projected extension or repetition of
Bulqiza ore body.Qafe Burreli (6.1 km2) Partially explored deposits, near high
grade Shkalla Mine, northwest Bulqiza.
Liqeni i Dhive (12.7 km2) Partially developed mines
Empire Mining’s licences* Not all in Empire’s licensed area
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WORK ACCOMPLISHED
Outcropping massive chromite on Empire licence at Batra (45% Cr2O3)
January 2009: Exploration Licences awarded.
Economic scoping studies carried out by SRK (to obtain view of the potential business objective).
2009: Review and digitisation of all available data including field measurements and completion of a NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report and an independent audit.
New understanding of structural setting of the Bulqiza-Batra deposit. Confirmed by field work and extraction by independent miners.
Drilling to commence April 2010 at Batra
and Bulqiza East Limb
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REINTERPRETATION OF THE BULQIZA-BATRA SYSTEMGeneralised Schematic
The fold cusp areas are generally characterised by thicker and higher grade ores.
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BULQIZA-BATRA OREBODY REINTERPRETATIONRecognition of Conformable Chromite Bodies
Right:Outcrop of layered chromite mineralization in harzburgite, with well developed axial plane lineation (azimuth 110º, plunge 10º). Batra Mine area.
Left:Banded and massive chromite mineralization, Batra area.
The original structural interpretation involved an anticline with thickening at the cusp. Past drilling by the state failed to find the presumed deep eastern limb.
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BULQIZA-BATRA OREBODYRecognition of Thrust Tectonics Within a Homocline
The current interpretation, supported by field evidence indicates that the Bulqiza-Batra deposits are cut by major thrusts that divide the main orebody into at least three segments, of which only the central one has been mined. This not only fits the drilling and structural evidence, but also explains the lack of success experienced by the state in the search for the eastern limb. The eastern limb, in particular is shallow and accessible from available infrastructure. It is also entirely within Empire’s licence.
Photos: Low-angle thrust faults mapped on surface at Bulqiza (top, developed in brecciated harzburgite) and Batra (below, with surfaces in harzburgite and prominent sub-vertical joints striking 265º.
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BULQIZA-BATRA OREBODY East-West Extension Model - present drilling plans
Important Implications Arising From the New Interpretation:
Only the central block has been mined.
The ‘eastern limb’ potentially extends to some 2 km2 and plunges southwards.
The northern end of the eastern limb subcrops and is accessible from a short adit at the 1738 elevation.
The eastern limb is accessed for exploration and production from the existing 1440 adit (on Empire ground).
The western limb can be accessed from the 1050 adit at the Bulqiza Mine.
Bulqiza drilling
area
Batra drilling
area
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BULQIZA-BATRA OREBODY SOUTH END (BATRA) East Limb exploration and development; NW of ‘Neli’ open
pit
April drilling programme
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BULQIZA EAST LIMBPlanned drilling at North (shallow) end of limb
Subcropping chromite
Mineralisation.
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THEKNA DEPOSITIsometric view from southeast.
High grade ‘cylinder’-shaped zone accessible
by new 250m decline from 27 level.
Thekna ‘Main’ depositextension
Exploited areaNot in model
State drilling result;3.6m at 37% Cr2O3 plus
22m at 43% Cr2O3 (with 3m parting).
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EMPIRE’S MINIMUM AND UPSIDE OBJECTIVE
Development objectives:
• Minimum 3-5M tonnes mineable ore at c40% Cr2O3 for a minimum 10 year mine life (baseline business).
• IF the Bulqiza-Batra east and west limbs are fully confirmed including the thicker cusp mineralisation, then the objective could be increased to a mine life of >20 years at 500kt/y.
• Actual optimum output can only be determined with mining. Both Batra and Bulqiza produced as much as 800kt/y in the 1980s. We need to know what is sustainable with modern mining methods for optimum economic performance.
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OVERALL DEVELOPMENT AIMS
• Aim for mining in 12 months from initial development investment. Drilling and underground exploration to achieve initial NI43-101 resource.
• Stepped approach from drilling programme (Feb 2010).
• Initial 150kty output of c40% Cr2O3 from Thekna, Bulqiza-Batra east limb (priority areas) and others if feasibility confirms.
• Aim for expansion over next two to three years to optimal output of (?) 400-500kty by additional exploration and development work.
• Initial cost outlay: $6M over the first year. Total $15-20M to fund expanded project over three years, plus staged feasibility.
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Indicative numbers only. Sources ICDA/World Industrial Minerals
Layered complexes:‘Reserves’
• Bushveld Complex (South Africa) 1 050Mt.
• India 27Mt (90% from Orissa).
• Great Dyke (Zimbabwe) 140Mt.
• Kemi (Finland) 94Mt.
• Brazil 14Mt.
• + Others
• TOTAL 1 600Mt.
‘Podiform’:‘Reserves’
• Kazakhstan 320Mt.
• Albania 37Mt.
• Russia 11Mt.
• Turkey 5Mt.
• TOTALS: +90Mt
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CHROMITESources of ore – very different types
Layered complexes:
• Co-products important (PGE, Fe)
• Low Cr: high Fe (typically 2:1)
• Variable Fe2:Mg
• Extensive layers, little deformation.
• Uniform repetitive layers in body with ultramaficcomposition at the base, felsicat the top.
‘Podiform’:
• Chromite only commercially-important product.
• High Cr:Fe (typically 3:1).
• Constant Fe2:Mg
• Generally deformed and lack continuity.
• Dunite envelope and harzburgite host in ophiolitesrelated to subduction/obduction.