Admiralty Resources looks set to begin test production in the September quarter at its Soberana Prospect, part of the Harper South Project in Chile, with the lodging of the environmental impact statement the only major step of the early mine production study left to be completed.
Importantly, the Soberana Prospect in Chile could provide Admiralty with its first income stream.
A three month trial production could indicatively start at 5,000 tonnes of finished product per month scheduled from September to November 2012.
After an initial trial, production is schedule to increase to 30,000 tonnes of finished product per month for a minimum mine life of two years.
Consultants, Redco, are currently preparing a Scoping Study to achieve an early iron lump production while maximizing the run of mine and minimizing the capital expenditure involved in beneficiation, and producing a commercially marketable product.
During the June 2012 quarter, Redco reviewed the geological and survey data to fully define the scope of the study, with particular focus on the processing and plant design and work on the permitting and mining subcontracting.
As part of the study, 240 tonnes were extracted out of Soberana and taken to a plant owned by Minera MACS SA.
The ore was then subjected to real live testing including blasting, screening, crushing and concentration in early July 2012.
An initial assessment by Redco confirms the final product is fully marketable.
Reverse circulation drilling of 684 meters, across nine holes, was also completed in July 2012, with samples being taken to laboratories for testing.
Admiralty is starting to unlock the potential at its La Chulula prospect, with a maiden Resource and Reserve expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.
The company completed a 2,748 meter reverse circulation drilling campaign in July, with drilling distributed across 10 holes with depths of between 250 meters and 350 meters. Admiralty has previously identified La Chulula as a high priority target.
Results from a high resolution ground magnetic survey has demonstrated the size potential of La Chulula, with the prospect shown to be 250 meters by 900 meters and to extend to depths of up to 600 meters.
The prospect is located near surface and has returned magnetic susceptibility levels higher than 0.9 S.I. units between 600 meters and surface elevations. A second reverse circulation drilling campaign is expected to begin in August to September 2012.
Admiralty has begun its first drilling campaign in the Pampa Tololo district since acquiring the concessions in 2007, with the aim of defining a Resource for the Simpson prospect by the end of 2012.
A 3,270 meter, seven hole program began at the Simpson prospect in late July 2012, with drilling targeted at depths of between 450 and 480 meters. The campaign is expected to be followed by a second phase of drilling in October 2012.
Worth noting is that Admiralty has completed over 4,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling during the months of June and July 2012. Drilling signifies the opening of the door to potential targets, as no drilling has occurred outside of the Mariposa project in the past.
Admiralty is well on its way to unlocking the potential of iots La Chulula, Soberana and Simpson prospects.
Importantly, Admiralty is sufficiently funded to continue its aggressive exploration programs across its projects with AUD 6.2 million in the bank at the end of the June 2012 quarter.
Source - Admiralty Resources
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