Asia Minerals Limited has announced its plan of operation at its manganese mine, located in Northern Cape, South Africa and operated by Kudumane Manganese Resources Pty Limited.

According to the plan, KMR will start ore output in December 2012 to produce 2 million tonnes of ore in 2013 and 3 million tonnes of ore in 2014 and thereafter, while ore shipments will start at the beginning of 2013. The plan includes construction of sintering plant of 1 million tonne capacity to complete in 2014.

The mine, inaugurated on May 8th 2012, is scheduled to reach the ore body 40 meters below the ground in November 2012 at York open pit mining area, where ores containing about 38% of manganese are to be mined at an annual rate of 3 million tonnes for well over ten years. After the York area is mined, operation will continue at the adjacent Telele underground mining area with ore reserves of about 1 billion tons. Apart from the areas, development at Hotazel area is to start in 2013, where it is planned to produce ores containing about 42% of manganese.

Mined ores are to be transported to the ports of loading, initially Port Elizabeth and Durban. Once the facilities at Coega port are made ready in 2016 or 2017, ores will be shipped out for exports from Coega.

Source - TEX Report Limited

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