Robust Resources: Increase of resource estimate on Romang Island very likely
Thursday, November 14 2013 - 02:28 AM WIB
ASX-listed Robust Resources Limited said it has once again intersected near surface, high-grade manganese mineralization at Batum Hitam South, which is likely to further increase the mineral resource estimate of the Romang Island project.
?Following the release of our maiden manganese mineral resource estimate, we are pleased to report more near-surface, high-grade Mn assay results. These results show that an increase to the manganese JORC resource is very likely,? said Robust Managing Director Gary Lewis in a statement received Thursday.
Robust announced last week reported a mineral resource estimate of near-surface, high-grade manganese mineralization from Manganese Valley and Batu Hitam West on Romang Island. The estimate was conducted to standards set out in the JORC (2012) code by independent consultants Mining Associates Pty Ltd.
| 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 | 238,000 |
Subsequent to the completion of the resource estimate, assay results have been received from diamond drill hole LWD 372 located at Batu Hitam South, approximately 130 meters to the south of the current Manganese Valley mineral resource.
?LWD 372 intersected near-surface, high-grade manganese mineralization which indicates that extensions to the current manganese resources are highly likely,? the company said in the statement.
?LWD 372 also encountered polymetallic mineralization deeper in the hole. Significantly, the hole was still in strong base metal mineraliaation grading 7.59% combined base metals when the hole was terminated early for technical reasons.?
Drilling is ongoing south of Manganese Valley as this target area is highly prospective for manganese, in addition to precious and base metals, the company said.
?The conceptual development path for Romang is now taking shape. A scoping study on the manganese will be completed in December, 2013. An updated JORC (2012) compliant mineral resource is due to be completed by February 2014 and on the regulatory side, solid progress is being made towards a transition from exploration license to mining license,? Lewis said.
?The manganese project is seen as a low CAPEX, low-risk project that could be developed in a short timeframe and have an immediate and positive return on investment. Infrastructure established for the manganese project could be utilised during construction and operation of the subsequent polymetallic project.
?It would also allow the Romang Island community 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