Herald says PFS on N. Sumatra zinc-lead project continues

Australian mining company Herald Resources Limited said on Thursday that full-scale Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on its zinc-lead project in Dairi, North Sumatra is continuing with conceptual mining studies and environmental scoping studies undertaken and a detailed survey carried out over the deposit area surface and environs.

Herald said it had also commenced PFS diamond drilling which aimed to delineate the limits of Anjing Hitam deposit, to enable revision of resource estimate and to obtain geological information to assist with preliminary mine planning. The company said delineation drilling at Pondok Gambir and Lae Jehe prospects, may result in addition of significant resources to extend the life of an Anjing Hitam-based operations.Current resources at Anjing Hitam deposit are 10.0 million tonnes at 15.3 percent Zn, 9.4 percent Pb, 14g/t Ag.

The conceptual mining study undertaken envisages a cut and fill or longhole stoping method using paste tailings backfill-both as ground support, and to obviate the need for surface storage of the predominantly pyretic material. A decline to enable 50 tonnes trucks to haul 1 million tones per year nominal ore production had been tentatively located, said Herald.

Heralds planned to undertake geo-technical studies in December quarter.

The company said an environmental scoping study had found no major impediment to development and also indicated that stream water is not significantly contaminated with heavy metals. A detailed survey had been conducted over the Anjing Hitam area surface and transportation corridor, the company added.

Herald said Dairi region remain s peaceful and free of ethnic and religious tensions and herald?s activities have not been affected to date.

Herald controls 80 percent stake in Dairi project, while state miner PT. Aneka Tambang Tbk. Holds the remaining 20 percent. (alex)