Robust: High-grade manganese resource estimate at Romang Island presents early development option
Thursday, November 7 2013 - 03:26 AM WIB
ASX-listed Robust Resources Limited announced Thursday the results of a mineral resource estimate of near-surface, high-grade manganese deposits at its Romang Island project in Indonesia. The estimate has been completed to standards set out in the JORC (2012) code by independent consultants Mining Associates Pty Ltd.
Substantial deposits of high-grade manganese mineralization have been discovered in two locations in the Lakuwahi Caldera; Manganese Valley (Mn Valley) and Batu Hitam West (BHW). Both deposits are near surface and partially cap gold-silver oxide and/ or polymetallic mineralization. The larger deposit, Manganese Valley, is situated on the eastern flank of the Batu Hitam polymetallic deposit and the smaller deposit at Batu Hitam West overlies gold-silver-lead-zinc-copper mineralization.
The high-grade manganese mineral resources is outlined below:
| Deposit | Material (t) | Mn Grade (%) | Mn Metal (t) |
| BHW | 37,000 | 46.5 | 17,000 |
| Mn Valley | 529,000 | 41.8 | 221,000 |
| Total Inferred | 566,000 | 42.5 | 238,00 |
In their report, Mining Associates, under requirements of the JORC code, have made certain assumptions that show that the Lakuwahi manganese resource has ?Reasonable prospects of economic extraction?.
Robust is undertaking a scoping study into development options for the high-grade manganese deposits, at which time the above costs will be validated. The study is scheduled for completion in December 2013. Initial studies indicate a viable direct-shipping-ore (DSO) operation may be established, once an export license is obtained from the Indonesian authorities.
Robust will undertake a feasibility study (FS) for the manganese project, which is scheduled for completion in the September quarter of 2014. This study will include additional drilling and assays to bring the mineral resource to JORC Measured and/or Indicated categories, studies on mine planning, beneficiation (if required), marketing and an estimate of project capital expenditure and operating expenditure.
The timing of the manganese FS will coincide with finalization of the Company?s efforts to obtain a mining operating license from the Indonesian Government.
Robust?s Managing Director, Gary Lewis, commented: ?Robust intends to vigorously pursue the high-grade manganese opportunity on Romang Island as an early cash flow opportunity which will lead in to a much larger and potentially long- life precious metal / base metal polymetallic mine.
?The manganese resource represents a low-risk project that could be developed in a short timeframe for minimal capital and have an immediate and positive return on investment. Infrastructure established for the manganese project could be utilized during construction and operation of the subsequent polymetallic project.
?It would also allow the residents on Romang Island to become familiar with mining operations and will provide opportunities for participation, training and up- skilling of local workers. This will be a huge boost for the Romang Island, regency and provincial economies.?
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak