QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 13, 2015) - Robex Resources Inc. ("Robex" and / or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE:RBX)(FRANKFURT:RB4) is pleased to announce that management, with the support of the Imagri construction firm, is preparing to imminently restart the Nampala mine with a capacity of 600 tonnes per day (t/d).
As planned, the mine will increase to a capacity of 4,000t/d in the third quarter of 2015.
The Nampala mine had, in October 2014, stopped production for the most part because the elution system was not working properly. Modifications and adjustments were made to this system and have been tested so that it is now possible to make it work with a limited production.
At the time that the production was interrupted, an amount of 70,000 tonnes of coarse ore had been accumulated. This ore has been subjected to certified analysis and contains 1.12 grams of gold per tonne.
A small ball mills was rented and will crush the coarse ore. Moreover, there are already operational work teams on site. Pictures of this small ball mills are now available on the Robex website at www.robexgold.com or by clicking on this link. Small ball mills picture
Restarting at 600 t/d will generate as of June 2015 a minimum monthly gross profit of $250,000 (after variable costs). This generated margin will cover a very large part of the total fixed costs of the mine.
This intermediate stage of production at a rate of 600 t/d will bridge the gap until the start of the permanent ball mills so that there will not be a shutdown of the mine before moving to 4,000 tonnes per day.
Construction of Phase 2
The Company is pleased to announce that the construction of Phase 2 of their Nampala mine is undergoing and is currently on schedule.
The investment plan of Phase 2 included among others:
- The purchase of a ball mills in order to treat the coarse ore that contains a higher content of gold compared to the finer ore ;
- The purchase of an efficient elution system ;
- The addition of 4 CIL tanks to increase the gold recovery rate in ore processing; as well as
- The general improvement of the facilities on the Nampala site.
The company has had the opportunity to acquire a new ball mills, ready to ship, which had never been used and at a great price. This ball mills was shipped to the Nampala mine last week. Photos of the ball mills upon departure from the United States to Mali are now available on the Robex website or by clicking on this link. Permanent Ball mills pictures
The projects progress
| Ball mills: | 95% of the components received and / or bought |
| CIL circuit (tanks): | 95% of the components received and / or bought |
| Elution system: | 90% of the components received and / or bought |
| Water supply system: | 75% of the components received and / or bought |
| Power station: | 50% of the components received and / or bought |
| Stock and start-up inventories: | 75% of the components received and / or ordered |
Most of the other required equipment and components have been ordered and are awaiting delivery.
The current situation at the Nampala mine shows a progress consistent with the initial established plan; the time limits are respected. The engineering processes are 90% realized. The structures and foundations to install the equipment are being built. The centre for fuel supply is almost completed and operational. Nevertheless, the variation of the US dollar which is the base currency for purchases of materials and consumables in relation to the Canadian dollar negatively impacted the investment budget. In addition, some equipment was bought with the anticipation of a phase 3 which would allow moving to a much higher tonnage daily. In this perspective, the company will have to quickly consider raising additional funds in order to complete these investments, to provide sufficient working capital in order to restart the mine and to undertake as soon as possible a drilling campaign on Mininko (Nampala mine). Pictures of the construction progress on the Nampala site are available on the Robex website or by clicking on this link. Construction pictures
The mine new P&ID is also available on the Robex website or by clicking on this link. P&ID photo
The company plans to assemble and test the equipment for Phase 2 during the months of June and July. During this period, changes to existing equipment and facilities will be made to amalgamate all the components of the mine.
Restarting the Nampala mine with a capacity of 4,000 tonnes per day is scheduled for the upcoming 3rd quarter.
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" as set out within the context of security law. This forward-looking information is subject to many risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Robex's control. The actual results or conclusions may differ considerably from those that have been set out, or intimated, in this forward-looking information. There are many factors which may cause such disparity, especially the instability of metal market prices, the results of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or in interest rates, poorly estimated reserves, environmental risks (stricter regulations), unforeseen geological situations, unfavourable extraction conditions, political risks brought on by mining in developing countries, regulatory and governmental policy changes (laws and policies), failure to obtain the requisite permits and approvals from government bodies, or any other risk relating to mining and development. There is no guarantee that the circumstances anticipated in this forward-looking information will occur, or if they do occur, how they will benefit Robex. The forward-looking information is based on the estimates and opinions of Robex's management at the time of the publication of the information and Robex does not assume any obligation to make public updates or modifications to any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or any other cause, except if it is required by securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information:
(581) 741-7421
a.rousselet@robexgold.com