- Comprised of the Ngasamo and Wamangola hill-top laterite deposits
- 116.7Mt resource at 0.91 % NI and 0.03% Co grade
- 44,344m of RC drilling and 8,147m of diamond drilling has been completed
Dutwa Project
History
The Dutwa Project is located in Northern Tanzania and a maiden resource was declared by African Eagle Resources in 2008.
Since 2008 the project has expanded and now includes two hill top deposits, Wamangola and Ngasamo, which form thick residual lateritic caps on the tops of low ridges 7km apart.
To date a total 44,344m of RC drilling and 8,147m of diamond drilling has been completed.
Mineral Resource estimates were declared for Ngasamo and Wamangola in 2012 and 2013, receptively, giving the project a combined Resource of 116.7Mt @ 0.91% nickel and 0.026% cobalt (>90% in indicated category).
A Bankable Feasibility Study was started in 2011, however this was suspended in 2013 due to a downturn in the commodities market.
In August 2013, Harmony Minerals acquired a controlling interest in the project, which the company is continuing to develop.
Current Status
Due to recent improvements in the commodities markets, Harmony Minerals have restarted the development of the Dutwa project.
The hill-top deposits ensure a very low strip ration of 0.28:1, and approximately 68% of the deposit (Ferruginous Siliceous ore) is believed to be amenable to simple, low energy beneficiation.
The original Bankable Feasibility Study showed that for Atmospheric Ttank Lleach (H2SO4) is most favourable to overall economics and operating environment and possesses a lower risk profile than either High Pressure Acid Leach or Heap Leach.
Preliminary designs on processing plant, tailings storage facility, ore and waste rock storage have also completed, with further trade off studies to be undertaken in the near future to confirm the process design.
Based on the above parameters the current estimated production rate would be 3Mtpa for a 17 year mine life and an average Life of Mine production rate of 26,000t Nickel and 530t Cobalt.
Once further drilling, studies and metallurgical work are complete, the company intends to IPO to raise the funds required for further advancement and construction of the project.