Gindalbie Metals doubles resource at Karara

August 4th (Mineweb) – Gindalbie Metals Limited (ASX: GBG – “Gindalbie”) is pleased to announce a further substantial increase in the magnetite resource for its Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia to 1.853 billion tonnes grading 35.4% Fe.  

In addition, a revised Probable Ore Reserve, taking in an updated pit design containing 522 million tonnes grading 36.3% Fe is also announced.

The revised Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve inventory confirms the status of Karara as one of the largest undeveloped orebodies in Australia, capable of supporting a world-class, long-life operation. 

The total Indicated and Inferred Resource as at August 2008 represents a doubling of the previously announced Indicated and Inferred Resource of 929 million tonnes at 36.3% Fe announced in September 2007.

It is important to note the revised Ore Reserve is contained within a pit designed around the original project start up parameters of producing 8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of high grade magnetite concentrate over a 25-year period. Gindalbie has now started work on a new pit design to define larger ore reserves to support increased production levels such as the proposed expanded production rate of 12Mtpa currently being studied.  

The updated Mineral Resource inventory follows the completion of over 31,300 metres of drilling in 223 drill holes. Sampling included 15,652 Head Assays and 5,541 DTR Assays.

The drilling has continued to demonstrate the robustness, consistent grade and quality of the magnetite orebody at Karara, which is being developed by Gindalbie and its 50% joint venture partner Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation (“AnSteel”). The substantial increase in the Resource is in large part due to depth extensions, with most of the resource model now extending to a depth of 600 metres below surface (previously 350 metres depth). Importantly, the 1.853 billion tonne resource is in excess of 75% in the Indicated category.  

This update represents the fourth increase in the Mineral Resource inventory for the magnetite deposit at Karara since exploration commenced in May 2005. In addition, recent drilling and ground survey work has confirmed the potential for further significant additions to the resource inventory, confirming the continuity of the deposit along strike.

The updated Mineral Resource estimate was calculated by CSA Consultants and is set out in Table 1 below:  

Table 1:     August 2008 Karara Magnetite Deposit: Resource Classification
Resource Classification	Mt	Fe %	SiO2 %	Al2O3 %	P %	LOI %
Indicated	1,417	35.5	43.2	1.25	0.09	-0.58
Inferred	437	35.1	43.9	1.44	0.09	-0.71
Sub Total	1,853	35.4	43.3	1.29	0.09	-0.61
Resources have been estimated for Oxide, Transitional and Fresh material separately. Material types have been combined in Table 1. Resources are reported exclusive of Reserves defined within the July 2008 Open Pit design.

 

Reporting of Resources and Reserves is compliant with the standards and recommendations outlined in the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (2004), prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC).

The remodeled open pit design consists of five stages of development, sequenced to minimize waste removal and produce consistent grade and volume of concentrate. The remodeled pit design contains 5% more Probable Reserve, produces 7% more concentrate and requires significantly less waste removal than the original September 2007 pit design. The waste to ore ratio has now fallen to 0.34:1 from the previous 0.42:1 in the September 2007 design. Importantly, the remodeled design has demonstrated the production schedule to be robust at mining rates of both 20Mtpa (8Mtpa concentrate) and 30Mtpa (12Mtpa concentrate).

Table 2:      Karara Magnetite Pit Tonnage  -   August 2008
Pit Design	Mt	Fe %	SiO2 %	Al2O3 %	P %	LOI %
Ore	522	36.3	42.8	0.82	0.09	-0.66
Concentrate	211	68.3	4.73	0.11	0.01	-2.86
Fresh and Transitional material classified as Probable Reserves.

 
Commenting on the announcement, Gindalbie’s Managing Director, Mr Garret Dixon, said the upgrade represented an outstanding result, improving all aspects of the previously announced Resource, Reserve, Concentrate and pit designs and confirming that Karara would deliver a long-term source of premium quality concentrate and pellets for Gindalbie’s joint venture partner, AnSteel. 

“We have now achieved four successive resource upgrades for Karara within the space of three years, with the Indicated and Inferred Resource doubling again from the previous resource as at September 2007 to the current level of 1.85 billion tonnes,” Mr Dixon said.  

“In addition, we have now defined an Ore Reserve over and above these Indicated and Inferred Resources of greater than half a billion tonnes,” he said. “This demonstrates clearly that Karara will sustain a long-life operation at the expanded 12Mtpa production rate currently being examined, as well as potential future expansions above this production level. 

“The revised Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve inventory would support over a 100-year plus mine life at the 8Mtpa production rate currently contemplated and 75 plus years at the expanded 12Mtpa production rate,” Mr Dixon added.

“The more work we do on this deposit, the better it is found to be. There has been improvement even in parameters such as the waste to ore strip ratio which means a corresponding reduction in mining costs. It is also worth noting that, based on the conversion and concentrate production parameters achieved, the revised resource and reserve equates to over 900 million tonnes of high-grade magnetite concentrate grading over 68% Fe – making this deposit equivalent to or better than some of the biggest hematite deposits in terms of potential iron ore product production in the world,” he said.

- ENDS - 

Released by:	On behalf of:
Nicholas Read Read Corporate	Mr Garret Dixon/Mr Michael Weir Managing Director/Investor Relations Manager
Telephone: (+61-8) 9388-1474	Telephone: (+61-8) 9480-8700
Mobile: (+61-8) 419 929 046	www.gindalbie.com.au

About Gindalbie Metals Ltd (ASX: GBG)

Gindalbie is well advanced towards achieving its vision of becoming a leading independent Australian iron ore company with a diversified portfolio of magnetite and hematite production assets, located in the Mid West region of Western Australia. 

The initial focus of Gindalbie’s growth strategy is the Karara Iron Ore Project, located 225km east of Geraldton, where it will deliver initial production of Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) hematite in 2009 to be followed by production of high grade magnetite concentrate and blast furnace quality pellets in 2010. Karara is being developed through a 50:50 Joint Venture with Ansteel, one of China’s leading steel and iron ore producers.

Gindalbie’s longer term growth will be propelled by the exploration and development of its extensive 1,900 sq km tenement portfolio, which includes numerous prospective magnetite and hematite exploration targets expected to deliver a long-term pipeline of growth opportunities.

Golden West lifts WA project resource

July 30th (The Age) – Iron ore explorer Golden West Resources Ltd has increased the mineral resources at its flagship Wiluna West project in Western Australia, making it the second largest hematite resource in the state’s emerging mid-west iron ore province.

The iron ore resource at the project, in the inferred category of Australia’s mineral reporting code, now totals 119 million tonnes (Mt) grading 58.9 per cent iron, up 33 Mt on the previous resource of 86 Mt grading 60.1 per cent iron.

The company expects to further increase resources at the project within a fortnight based on a resource upgrade of the C4 deposit plus additional drilling information for the Bowerbird South deposit.

The largest reported hematite resource in the Mid-West is the Weld Range iron ore project, which is owned by Sinosteel Corporation-controlled Midwest Corporation Ltd.

Hematite is the most favoured variety of iron ore because it does not require processing.

Golden West Resources Ltd is expected to be a foundation customer of a new, yet-to-be-developed deep water port at Oakajee, 22km north of Geraldton, which is expected to be completed by about 2013.

Midwest was trumped by its one-time rival Murchison Metals Ltd on Tuesday when Murchison was selected by the state government as the preferred tenderer to develop the new port.

Shares in Golden West were steady at $1.80 at 1131 AEST.

Fairstar makes iron ore discovery

July 29th (The Age) – Junior explorer Fairstar Resources Ltd, which failed in a bid to take over Golden West Resources Ltd this year, says it has made a potential iron ore discovery near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

Fairstar said rock chip sampling had potentially discovered an iron ore deposit containing direct shipping ore at the Lindsay Dam tenement 110 kilometres southeast of Kalgoorlie.

The company said the discovery is the first of its kind in the area and only 23 kilometres from the Trans Australian railway.

Fairstar this year failed in its hostile all-scrip takeover attempt of iron ore hopeful Golden West Resources.

Its shares were up 1.5 cents or 10.34 per cent to 16 cents at 1141 AEST.

Ispat Industries to bag Jharkhand iron ore mining lease

July 18th (Steel Guru) – It is reported that Ispat Industries Limited is poised to get the much awaited iron ore mining lease in Jharkhand. The company is believed to have already received letter of allotment from the government a few days back for a mining lease at Latua in Chaibasa, in West Singhbhum district.

As per report, the mine is estimated to contain reserves of over 100 million tonnes of iron ore with iron content of 64% to 65%. State mining department officials maintained that the company s name has been recommended for allotment of iron ore mines at Latua.

Daye Iron Mine increases 14.12 million tonnes of ore reserves

July 18th (Steel Guru) – It is reported that recently China’s Ministry of Land and Resources approved the reconnaissance report and nailed down that Daye iron mine increased 14.12 million tonnes of ore reserves based on the primal 23 million tonnes of magnetite estimated before.

Daye ore mine started its reconnaissance work in March, 2005. After 3 years exploring, primarily estimated its capacity as 23 million tonnes. It established cooperation with scientific research institutions and universities, which gave great technical support to its reconnaissance report.

Advanced Explorations Inc intersects 45.6 % Fe

July 13th (Steel Guru) – Advanced Explorations Inc announced new results from Zone C1 drilling on its Roche Bay iron project in Nunavut. To date the company has completed over 5,500 meters of sampling in 2008 that includes 706 meters from previous drilling.

Advanced Explorations said that Hole RB 07 16 has returned a 12 meter interval averaging 45.56% Fe within a broader interval of 85 meters that averaged 29.91% Fe. The high grade intersection occurs in an area that was thought to be predominantly lower grade material. High grade intersections such as this indicate the potential to increase the high grade zone intersected in the northern portion of C1.

Advanced Explorations currently has 4 drills turning with production now close to 1500 meters recently. Advanced Explorations has completed over 6,980 meters of drilling to date this year which includes a number of geotech holes drilled in support of the pre feasibility study plant site locations. Work to date has focused on the C Zone in support of the MAN Ferrostaal study. While much of the drilling has been in fill, AEI has extended the C Zone another 600 meters further along strike to the north. The Company has now drill tested 5000 meters of the over 6000 meters of inferred strike. A total of 25 holes are awaiting assay results.

Mr John Gingerich president & CEO of Advanced Explorations said that “We are very encouraged by the results of this year’s drilling. Results are as expected, but we are seeing the possibility of increasing the extent of the high grade mineralization, as well as, additional zones within the footwall. Getting turnaround of assay results remains a challenge. However, we are working on solutions with SGS Lakefield.”

Advanced Explorations based at Toronto in Canada is exclusively focused on developing high quality iron ore opportunities. In early 2007 the Company expanded its capabilities in iron ore exploration and development with the acquisition of strategic management personnel.

Flinders Mines to assess Pilbara iron reserves

July 11th (Steel Guru) – ABC.net reported that Flinders Mines has begun an AUD 8 million drilling program in the Pilbara’s Hamersley Range.

The Department of Industry and Resources signed off on the project last week and the Ashburton Shire has provided approval for the construction of a 20 person camp onsite.

The company hopes to have assessed the area’s iron reserves by the end of the year.

Mr Kevin Wills MD of Flinders Mines said that the company has held tenements in the Pilbara for a number of years but it is the first time it has explored for iron ore.

He added that “We realized we were sitting on an iron ore deposit and we realized that’s a valuable thing. If we found a nice big diamond mine that would also be a valuable thing, but diamonds are some of the hardest types of mines to find.

Sunrise complete purchase of Chinese iron mines

July 4th (Steel Guru) – Sunrise Consulting Group Inc announced that it have completed their due diligence and are making final preparations to acquire the Cao Tin Iron Ore Mines in Hunan Province, China.

According to the release the process had been delayed for several months due to heavy snow storms in February, which resulted in many landslides caused by the melting of snow in the mountainous areas.

Mr Raymond Chin CEO OF Sunrise said “We are very excited to have now completed this final phase of fact-finding and anticipate final completion of the agreement to occur very soon. Worldwide prices of iron ore have increased more than 100% since December 2007, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on this situation. We look forward to a long lasting profitable return from these mines and see a bright future ahead of us at Sunrise.”

Nigerian gov’t targets seven minerals for national development

June 30th (Xinhua) – Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Steel Development Sarafa Isola on Sunday in Abuja said the federal government has identified seven minerals for national development, reported the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.

He said the minerals were Gold, Lead/Zinc, Barite, Bitumen, Limestone, Coal and Iron Ore. Isola said Nigeria was well endowed with myriad solid minerals, but that government selected only seven to ensure focus and added that blueprints had be developed on the seven areas.

According to him, the need to ensure focus became necessary to increase the contribution of the solid minerals sector to the GDP from 0.5 percent to somewhere around 7 percent. The minister said Nigeria had 5.5 billion tones of iron ore deposits and 1.386 billion tones of coal, for instance.

He added that lack of infrastructure was a hurdle that must be surmounted to ensure effective exploitation of the solid minerals. Isola said the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity shot Nigeria off the solid minerals export map of the world. He said the exploitation of Nigeria’s huge iron ore deposit of some 5.5 billion tones would require beneficiation and other infrastructure since products from the mines could only be moved effectively on rail or through the seas.

Gambia gets “huge” iron ore

June 26th (Afrol News) – Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has announced the discovery of “huge” deposits of iron ore in his country, refusing to reveal the exact location of the natural resource until mineral exerts have finalised their work.

In January this year, Mr Jammeh disclosed the discovery of minerals, including uranium and gold, assuring his country’s capability of exporting its “enough mineral resources.”

Gambian leader broke the news at State House on Wednesday where he had received an official of the East Line Company, Salah Ezzeddine. The official, whose company claims to be operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, handed over a cheque of D4 million to President Jammeh, being the royalty on the export of 10,000 metric tonnes of sand minerals from The Gambia.

The consignment were seized from Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited whose operations had been banned by the government, accusing it of involvement in illegal operations.

Gambian authorities arrested, detained and arraigned the British Manager of the Australian firm for his role in the “illegal” operations. Carnegie was given 24 hours to “come clean” on its activities or risked expulsion.

Mr Jammeh was confident that “Allah will provide the country with the best quality iron ore.” He said he will make public another discovery after exportation of the iron ore starts.

Jammeh would not finish his comments without throwing punches at Carnergie Minerals Gambia Ltd, accusing them of engaging in a “game of deception.” He also accused the company of shipping 400 containers of sand minerals from The Gambia for tests and failed to inform the government about the results.

He said “from day one, Carnegie’s intention was to exploit Gambians.” Jammeh said his comments could be supported by the company’s failure to give substantial amounts of money to the government, though it had exported huge tons of minerals abroad.

East Line representative said his company would do all it could to live up to expectations and thanked Gambian authorities for giving the company the space to operate in the country.