AI assistant
DART MINING NL — Interim / Quarterly Report 2013
Jul 15, 2013
64792_rns_2013-07-15_767be062-44d1-4249-8fb2-6982801f8c51.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
==> picture [596 x 114] intentionally omitted <==
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER
30 JUNE 2013
Highlights:
-
Red Kite completes first tranche payment of $5.3M and becomes a 4.5% shareholder
-
Second deep drill hole confirms a fifth high grade zone M5 at approximately 690m
-
Prefeasibility study underway with target release date of first quarter 2014
-
Referral document as a precursor to an EES intended to be submitted on 2 August 2013
-
Prefeasibility metallurgy rougher tests supports high Mo and Cu recoveries as per Scoping Study
-
Preferred site for tailings dam and water supply identified
-
Cash at bank as at 30 June 2013 - $5.7M plus an additional ATO R&D refund $0.88M due in July
SUMMARY
Dart Mining NL (“Dart Mining” or the “Company”) (ASX:DTM) closed the quarter with a strong cash position of $5.7M, exclusive of a $0.88M R&D ATO rebate which should be processed in July 2013. In addition to this, solid progress is being made on meeting the key criteria to secure the second tranche of Red Kite funding ($4.7M) by late 2013.
The last quarter has been very challenging for the junior mining sector but it is pleasing that Dart Mining holds cash reserves and has been able largely to ignore the market turmoil and instead focus on taking the Company’s flagship project - Unicorn - towards prefeasibility and, commence the approvals process. Dart Mining will project manage the prefeasibility study inhouse under John Eltham’s direction, giving it far better control of the process, particularly over costs, rather than adopting the usual outsourcing approach to a consultant. Mr Eltham is the Company’s Project Director.
In April, the Company welcomed Red Kite (a US-based metal merchant) as a 4.5% shareholder, as part of the settlement of its first tranche investment of $5.3M into Dart Mining. This was a significant milestone for the Company. Red Kite is the first major institutional-style investor to come onto the Dart Mining share register and its involvement was as a result of the Company’s activities in the US during a promotional visit to New York in October 2012.
16 July 2013 ASX Code: DTM Investment Data: Shares on issue 207M Unlisted options 18.8M Substantial Shareholders: Top 20 Hold 40%
Board & Management: Chairman: Managing Director: Executive Director: Non-Executive Directors:
Contact Details:
Mr Chris Bain Level 2, 395 Collins Street Mr Lindsay Ward Melbourne VIC 3000 Mr Dean Turnbull Australia Mr Stephen Poke Mr Richard Udovenya Mr Lindsay Ward Phone: +61 (03) 9621 1299 [email protected]
Key Projects: Unicorn Porphyry Mo-Cu-Ag Morgan Porphyry Mo-Ag-Au Mountain View Lode – Au Visit our webpage: www.dartmining.com.au
The Unicorn deep drilling program was designed to test the continuity of Unicorn’s mineralisation beyond the boundaries of the current JORC Resource and is now finalised with two holes having been completed, one of which DUNDD012 was extended to 1194 metres and ended in mineralised porphyry. The deep drilling has intersected several new zones of high grade molybdenum mineralisation (M4 and M5) including discrete zones of base metals and for the first time at Unicorn, indications of anomalous gold. Dart Mining's preliminary interpretation of the deep drilling results confirms that Unicorn is similar to the Climax model of multiple high grade stacked mineralised horizons. This, together with indications of multiple intrusive pulses at Unicorn, confirms the prospectivity of the system.
Dart Mining has contracted GHD (environment and approvals), ATC Williams (tailings), URS (water), Mining Plus (mining), Biosis (flora, fauna and cultural heritage), Parsons Brinckerhoff (Power) and Lycopodium (plant design and engineering) to assist in facilitating the prefeasibility and approvals process. Whilst further work is ongoing, a preferred tailings site has been identified, water and power supply options developed and work is continuing on confirming the preferred mining methodology. Metallurgical testing is well advanced with high rougher recoveries (90%) being achieved for both molybdenum and copper which supports the Scoping Study metallurgical findings.
In summary, the quarter ended 30 June 2013 has again seen the Company take a number of important and substantial steps forward for the development of the Unicorn project. Its strong cash position and capable management team enables it to also consider identifying growth opportunities from its NE Victorian base, if compelling opportunities arise in this challenging resources market.
US-Based Metal Merchant Red Kite Completes First Tranche Investment
-
First tranche of Red Kite investment completed
-
$5.3M before costs received - $4.5M (2% royalty payment) & $0.8M equity injection
-
8.55M ordinary shares issued at 9.36 cents being a 10% premium to 20 day VWAP
-
4.27M options issued with an exercise price of 11.11 cents with a three year expiry date
As announced to the ASX on 12 March 2013, RK Mine Finance ( Red Kite ), agreed to purchase up to a 3% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) in the Unicorn Project for cash of $8.5M and to inject new equity of up to $1.5M into Dart Mining NL (ASX:DTM). Red Kite's investment into the Unicorn Project and Dart Mining will be made in two tranches. RK Mine Finance is part of the Red Kite Group, one of the largest metal merchants in the world.
The first tranche of $4.5M for the purchase of a 2% Unicorn Project royalty and an equity subscription of A$0.8M for 8,546,096 new Dart Mining ordinary shares at 9.36 cents per share being a 10% premium to 20 day VWAP was received by Dart Mining in April. Dart Mining also issued 4,273,048 unlisted options with an exercise price of 11.11 cents with a three year expiry.
The second tranche of Red Kite’s investment is subject to Red Kite being satisfied that certain milestones relating to the Unicorn Project (including demonstrated progress with the pre-feasibility studies, with a particular focus on environmental approvals, tailings and metallurgy) have been satisfied. It is hoped that this second tranche will be received by late 2013 / early 2014.
Dart Mining worked closely with Red Kite through a detailed due diligence process which involved a site visit by Red Kite's investment team and its appointed experts. The due diligence included a thorough review of the mining methodology, plant design, geological model, environmental impacts and the financial assumptions underpinning the Unicorn scoping study.
Dart Mining has commenced the prefeasibility process including a whole of project risk assessment, initial kick-off meeting with government agencies and engagement of various consultants – water / tailings / power / plant engineering / environment / mining. Dart Mining remains on track to finalise the Unicorn prefeasibility study by the 1st Quarter 2014. (refer section on Prefeasibility Study Update below).
Red Kite provides mining companies with project financing and metal offtake agreements for initiation or expansion of mine production and is part of the Red Kite group. Red Kite operates across the global metals industry from offices in Bermuda, Denver, Hong Kong, London, New York, Shanghai and Sydney. Investors in Red Kite funds include college endowments, foundations, family offices, pensions and other institutional investors. For more information about Red Kite visit http://www.RKMineFinance.com/
Deep Diamond Drill Program Completed – DUNDD012
-
Second deep hole DUNDD012 completed to a depth of 1194m ending in porphyry
-
New high grade zone “M5” intersected from approximately 690m to 750m from surface
-
Narrow high grade base metals (plus silver) intersected between 500m and 654m
-
First anomalous gold at Unicorn intersected within sulphide veins hosted in low grade porphyry pulse
The Unicorn deep drilling program was designed to test the continuity of Unicorn’s mineralisation beyond the boundaries of the current JORC Resource and is now finalised with two holes having been completed, one of which DUNDD012 was extended to 1194 metres and ended in mineralised porphyry. The deep drilling has intersected several new zones of high grade molybdenum mineralisation (M4 and M5) including discrete zones of base metals and for the first time at Unicorn, indications of anomalous gold. Dart Mining's preliminary interpretation of the deep drilling results confirms that Unicorn is similar to the Climax model of multiple high grade stacked mineralised horizons. This, together with indications of multiple intrusive pulses at Unicorn, confirms the potential for a large target resource base at depth.
Further High Grade Zone M5 Intersected
A new high grade Mo horizon M5 has been intersected from 692m showing up to 18m at 0.09% Mo (including 12m @ 0.1% Mo) within a larger zone of 56m @ 0.06% Mo – refer Table 1. Deeper mineralisation at Unicorn would appear to be more like other primary molybdenum deposits as it does not show significant copper, consistent with the Climax-style porphyry model applied to the Unicorn deposit (Photograph 1).
==> picture [327 x 158] intentionally omitted <==
Photograph 1: High grade Molybdenite in narrow quartz veins (approx. 734m) - NQ sized drill core: One Dollar coin for scale
As the intense pervasive potassic alteration seen in the upper levels diminishes, narrow potassic alteration halos are more clearly visible adjacent to quartz/molybdenum veins, the majority of which appear as narrow, steep radial veins (refer Photo 2). There appears to be only one vein set well developed, this may
indicate the mineralisation is associated with a single pulse, rather than the multiple pulses and overlapping stockwork veins noted in the upper levels (M1). As Mo grades are being maintained (18m @ 0.09% Mo from 730m) with such low vein density, it is clear the potential for 0.2% Mo (Henderson) style mineralisation within multiple overlapping pulses exists. It would be necessary to locate the horizon where multiple pulses have risen to a similar paleo level within the system and provided the necessary overlapping mineralisation associated with very high grades. This is very encouraging for the long term underground potential of the deposit.
==> picture [326 x 190] intentionally omitted <==
Photograph 2: Narrow potassic alteration halo to a quartz vein showing coarse visible Mo ~990m depth. NQ sized drill core: Two Dollar coin for scale
The M5 high grade zone below 690m in DUNDD012 represents the fifth known horizon of high grade mineralisation within Unicorn, it is some 200m below the new M4 zone (intersected in DUNDD008 – refer Figure 1) and some 700m below surface. The 200m interval between M4 and this additional high grade zone remains poorly drill tested in the northern part of the deposit due to insufficient drilling.
But there is clear potential for additional high grade intervening zones within this untested 200m in the northern portion of the porphyry (refer Figure 1).
At approximately 990m, DUNDD012 intersected a narrow rhyolitic porphyry (refer Photo 3) that shows well-preserved Unidirectional Solidification Textures (USTs – refer Figure 1 for position). These rock textures are associated with the edges and top of individual pulses of porphyry with crystal growth directions indicating a new porphyry pulse lies to the east of DUNDD012. The intersection shows associated narrow, steep radial quartz veins with coarse visible molybdenum (refer Photo 2) and high temperature potassic alteration halos to each vein (pink zone adjacent to quartz vein in Photo 2). This form of alteration is indicative that additional mineralisation occurs within the vicinity of the drill hole.
==> picture [327 x 191] intentionally omitted <==
Photo 3: Unidirectional Solidification Textures (UST’s) preserved at a rhyolitic pulse boundary, ~990m associated with visible molybdenum. UST indicates centre of pulse to the east of the hole (below drill rig) - NQ size core.
Completion of the drilling was significantly delayed during late April to May due to drill rig mechanical breakdowns. The drill rig was removed from site where repairs were carried out over several weeks. Drilling re-commenced on 21st May 2013 and was completed on 12 June at a depth of 1194m.
Table 1. Significant Assay Intervals – DUNDD012
| Hole No. | Hole Dip | Hole Azimuth (MGA Grid) |
MGA East (m) |
MGA North (m) |
RL AHD (m) |
Total Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUNDD012 | -86.8 | 164.5 | 588,790.0 | 5,977,854.0 | 814 | 1,194.0 |
| Collar co-ordinates are measured by GPS location. | ||||||
| Hole No. |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Significant Intersections MoEq (1) |
Significant Intersections (Mo) |
Significant Intersections (Cu) |
Significant Intersections (Ag) |
| DUNDD012 | 692 | 748 | 56m @ 0.06% MoEq | 56m @ 0.06% Mo | 56m @ 1.68 ppm Ag | |
| 692 | 698 | Inc: 6m @ 0.11% MoEq | Inc: 6m @ 0.1% Mo | |||
| 692 | 706 | Inc: 14m @ 4.10 ppm Ag | ||||
| 722 | 730 | Inc: 8m @ 3.34 ppm Ag | ||||
| 730 | 748 | Inc: 18m@ 0.09% MoEq | Inc: 18m@ 0.09% Mo |
Analysis performed on 1/2 HQ or NQ core over nominal 2m intervals with the assay data length weighted over each reported interval. Mo, Cu and Ag are analysed by four acid digest methods (ALS Technique ME-MS61r) at an acredited Australian Laboratory. Mo > 50ppm trigger XRF follow up assay (ALS Technique XRF05).
Samples are crushed, riffel split and pulverised prior to multielement analysis.
Note 1.
MoEq[1] (Molybdenum Equivalent) = Mo + (Cu/3.44) + (Ag x34.3) ( assumes equal metallurgical recovery for each metal )
Narrow high grade base metals (plus silver) intersected between 500m and 654m
Assay data between 498 and 507m and corresponding with visible massive sulphide veining and brecciation is showing a zone of strong base metals and weak gold mineralisation - refer Table 2. These late stage (cool) base metal sulphide veins are composed of sphalerite and galena in a silica/carbonate host and have also been observed in the upper parts of the deposit, especially associated with the southern breccia system.
Anomalous gold has not previously been associated with mineralisation at Unicorn, so the intersection of 1m at 1.6 g/t Au (502 – 503m) is interesting and represents the highest grade gold intersection within drilling to date.
Further high grade silver and also the first significant tungsten assay results have also been intersected near a major rock type change and fault zone below 620m. Tungsten is often associated with the deeper zones of porphyry Mo systems and is associated with hotter fluids, this is a further positive sign that additional high grade Mo pulses maybe present at depth within Unicorn.
Assay highlights include:
-
5.2m @ 0.56g/t Au, 32.6g/t Ag, 2.53% Pb and 3.01% Zn, including up to 1m @ 6.32% Pb and 6.47% Zn from 498.9m, including 1m @ 1.6g/t Au from 502.0m
-
1.2m @ 671g/t Ag & 0.53% W from 620.8m
-
2.0m @ 267g/t Ag & 0.08% W from 654.0m
While the intersection of strong base metal at approximately 500m in DUNDD012 is not economic, the elevated gold indicates that the fluids that circulated late in the history of the deposit carried low level gold mineralisation as well as Zn, Pb and Ag.
Table 2. Significant Assay Data – Geochemical Trace DUNDD012
| Hole No. | Hole Dip | Hole Azimuth (MGA Grid) |
MGA East (m) |
MGA North (m) |
RL AHD (m) |
Total Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUNDD012 | -86.8 | 164.5 | 588,790.0 | 5,977,854.0 | 814 | 1,194.0 |
| Hole No. |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Significant Intersections (Au) |
Significant Intersections (Ag) |
Significant Intersections (Pb) |
Significant Intersections (Zn) |
| DUNDD012 | 498.8 | 504.0 | [email protected] Au | [email protected] Ag | [email protected]%Pb | [email protected]%Zn |
| 498.8 | 500.0 | Inc. 1.2m@ 56.8ppm Ag | Inc. 1.2m@ 6.32% Pb | Inc. 1.2m@ 6.47% Zn | ||
| 502.0 | 503.0 | Inc: 1.0m@ 1.6ppm Au |
Analysis performed on 1/2 HQ or NQ core over nominal 2m intervals with the assay data length weighted over each reported interval. Pb, Zn, Cu and Ag are analysed by four acid digest methods (ALS Technique ME-MS61r); Pb, Zn, Cu > 1% and Ag > 100ppm trigger OG62 ALS technique. Au by Au-AA22 for Au > 1ppm trigger Au-AA26 follow up assay (ALS Techniques) Samples are crushed, riffel split and pulverised prior to multielement analysis at an acredited Australian Laboratory..
==> picture [532 x 648] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1. Composite Longsection looking east. Geological Interpretation of DUNDD012
PREFEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE
-
Preferred location for tailings dam storage identified
-
Water and power supply options developed and preferred solution being further investigated
-
Flora and fauna field studies well underway
-
Various engagement meetings held with Government departments and a site visit is planned
-
Prefeasibility on track for a Q1 2014 release
The Unicorn Project prefeasibility study is well underway with great progress being made during the last quarter. Consultants have been retained for all key work streams with Phase 1 reports looking at alternative ways to develop the project well advanced. Preferred solutions for tailings management, water supply and power have been identified.
| Area | Company |
|---|---|
| Environment/Permitting Ecology |
GHD Biosis |
| Engineering | Lycopodium Minerals |
| Tailings | ATC Williams |
| Water | URS |
| Power | Parsons Brinckerhoff |
| Mining | Mining Plus |
| Metallurgy | AMML |
Dart Mining is project managing the prefeasibility study in house under John Eltham’s guidance which will ensure a far more cost effective and timely outcome than handing the whole study over to an external consulting firm who does not have the same ownership and passion for the project as the Dart Mining management team.
A two day field trip to Unicorn and surrounding areas was conducted with the key consultants so that the project scope could be discussed to generate ideas and coordinate study activities. As an outcome of the site visit, a project issues register has been developed that identifies key project risks and, in particular, those risks relating to the environment.
Scope of work for individual work streams for Phase 2 of the studies have been identified and will be implemented early in the next quarter so that the Pre-Feasibility Study can be completed and submitted in the first quarter of 2014.
Progress against each of the work streams is outlined below.
ENVIRONMENT AND PERMITTING – GHD
Based on the size, location and potential environmental impacts of the Unicorn project, Dart Mining is planning to complete an Environmental Effects Statement (EES). The initial phase of the EES process is the submittal of a Referral document which forms the basis for setting the scope of the EES. GHD is preparing the Referral document which will be lodged with various Victorian government departments on the 2nd August 2013.
In preparation for the EES, weather, stream flow and dust monitoring stations are being installed. Stream flow monitoring stations will provide data on run-off within the preferentially selected catchments. This work is essential to be able to calculate the total water supply for the operation from catchments rather than sourcing water from boreholes or direct from the Murray River.
At the same time as the EES is prepared, an Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation (EPBC) report will be lodged with the Commonwealth Government. This report is targeted at identifying if there are any threatened flora and fauna species within the project impact area. The Commonwealth may accept the EES process as being sufficient to meet Commonwealth regulatory needs or, in sensitive areas, the Commonwealth could decide to become more involved in the permitting process by demanding specific reporting to the Commonwealth.
ECOLOGY - Biosis
A work program to identify existing flora, fauna and aquatic species was started in early June. This work included setting up automatic cameras (approximately 30) and hair traps that are left out in the bush for extended periods to help identify native animals. In addition to this direct field investigations are underway to identify existing land and aquatic species, flora and determine biological diversity of the study area. This work is aimed at gathering early data to inform the EES process and the work program will be repeated again in Spring.
Areas that will be surveyed include the preferred tailings dam sites, proposed mining and processing plant areas and other possible areas of disturbance.
ENGINEERING - Lycopodium
Lycopodium will manage the project schedule and consolidate all of the various consultant reports into a single Pre-Feasibility Study. In addition to this work Lycopodium will design the process plant and estimate and consolidate capital and operating costs.
Preliminary process plant layouts and alternative locations were investigated as part of Lycopodium phase 1 study with the preferred site being located in a valley at the base of Mt Unicorn. This will be the most practical and economical site and is the same site as identified in the Scoping Study.
TAILINGS – ATC Williams
Five potential locations for tailings storage have been identified as part of the prefeasibility study. A preferred site would have the capacity to store at least 200Mt of tailings; equivalent to a 20 year mine life and have the advantage of a significant catchment with potential to provide the majority of water for the process plant.
The Phase 2 tailings dam study will include the design and cost estimate of the wall structure and water recovery system. In addition, ways of diverting run-off from the catchment to bypass the tailings wall will be considered to maintain an environmental flow in the creeks below the tailings dam wall and divert water in periods of very high rainfall.
WATER - URS
The Phase 1 regional water study identified a number of alternative options to supply water to the mine and processing plant. These included bore fields within the Thowgla and Biggara valleys, direct pumping from the Murray River, and dewatering of fracture zones in and around Mt Unicorn.
However, the favoured option for a water supply is to examine, in detail, the potential for the catchment of the preferred tailings storage dam to provide the required water supply.
POWER – Parsons Brinckerhoff
A number of options to supply around 40MW of power to the project were evaluated. These included connecting into the Snowy Mountain Khancoban substation, into the main NSW/Victorian HV connector, on-site power station fuelled with diesel, LNG or LPG and solar, wind or biomass. The favoured option is connecting into the Khancoban sub-station and following the existing route of HV and LV power lines to a location near the project site.
A number of permitting issues will need to be investigated in the Phase 2 studies including alternative power line routes and negotiating with the NSW and Victorian power authorities.
MINING – Mining Plus
Phase 1 work is continuing on identifying the preferred mining methodology. The Scoping Study identified that an open cut mine with twin ore passes and a decline was the preferred approach but it is prudent to investigate alternatives which might include a fixed crusher at the lower pit rim where the pit daylights and surface conveyor to an ore stockpile near the process plant.
It is expected that this work will be concluded by the end of August 2013.
METALLURGY - AMML
The metallurgical test program on ore from a representative bulk sample is progressing well. Grinding the ore to 80% passing 90µm, or slightly coarser, produces a rougher flotation recovery in excess of 90% for both Molybdenum and Copper which is in line with the scoping study. The test work has also shown that finer grinding will not increase recovery.
The test program will now move to the next stage of cleaning and separating the molybdenum concentrate from the copper concentrate with the objective to produce a molybdenum concentrate grade in excess of 50% Mo metal in the concentrate and a separate Cu / Ag concentrate.
REGIONAL EXPLORATION
Given that the Unicorn Pre-Feasibility study is now fully funded and John Eltham has been appointed as Project Director, our Corryong based exploration team has been freed up to revisit some of the regional gold and porphyry deposits within our extensive NE Victorian tenements. A brief summary of activities during the quarter are outlined below.
Mountain View Gold Prospect (ML5999)
Resource estimation for the Mountain View gold prospect is currently being finalised and Dart Mining is confident that a small, relatively high grade JORC compliant resource will be defined at Mountain View within the granted 5 Ha Mining Licence. A Work Plan for open pit mining operations at Mountain View is currently being finalised to ensure the ML is kept in good standing for possible future mining.
The Resource itself will initially be too small to be extracted in isolation but may add value to a wider portfolio of gold assets held by another company or could be combined with other gold targets within Dart Mining’s tenements and sold on as a package.
Fairley’s Prospect (EL4724 – Buckland)
Detailed field inspections and a review of the existing diamond core at the Fairley’s Prospect has revealed overturned folding related to a major thrust fault system. This is unlike the known architecture of goldfields elsewhere in Victoria and adds significant structural complexity as part of this newly discovered disseminated style of gold mineralisation.
This re-interpretation gives Dart Mining greater confidence to delineate the gold-bearing shoots. Mineable widths do occur at Fairley’s with the best results to date being 13.7 m @ 3.97 g/t Au from channel sampling above old workings. Dart Mining will expand the existing soil geochemistry survey to delineate possible reef extensions and if successful this may be followed up with drilling on close centres.
A review of geophysical data has revealed a potential porphyry signature close to Fairley’s and field work will also be extended to carry out soil geochemistry over this anomaly. Dart Mining also plans to extend the soil geochemical surveys in coming months at the Centennial, Kaufmann’s and Great White Star disseminated gold prospects within the Buckland Goldfield.
Porphyry Targets
Closer to Unicorn, soil geochemical surveys have begun, focusing on geophysical anomalies to the south of the Morgan Porphyry mineralisation, along the Dart Pluton String and at several newly defined geophysical targets. Ongoing reviews and data collection continue at North Mammoth.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The current stock market downturn and the weak cash position of many junior explorers could present an opportunity for Dart Mining to leverage off its key project - Unicorn and its strong cash position, to develop a project generation and business development strategy that will expand the company’s commodity and deposit style focus and also broaden its geographical portfolio beyond NE Victoria.
Dart Mining has commenced a detailed and systematic review of potential opportunities to add to the company’s existing portfolio of projects. The review is focussed on the evaluation of early stage exploration through to advanced prefeasibility/near-term production projects with strong long term value-adding potential. The focus is primarily on Australia but will also look at a limited number of overseas countries with similar geopolitical environments to Australia.
This strategy is designed to facilitate value-adding through exploration, resource delineation, development or production of major projects, and includes identifying high potential gold, copper, nickel and strategic metal projects that have the capacity to become important economic mines.
The ongoing generation and development approach has identified a number of highly rated and ranked projects, constrained by a carefully considered set of key selection criteria. Limited due diligence has commenced on a selection of these opportunities with further projects to be assessed in coming months
DART MINING RECEIVES UPDATED RESEARCH COVERAGE
Dart Mining received updated research coverage from Arrowhead during the quarter. Arrowhead is a New York City based, independent financial and business consulting firm and has provided Investor Relations services to Dart Mining for the last twelve months and introduced Dart Mining to Red Kite.
The research report can be down loaded from the Dart Mining website - http://www.dartmining.com.au/userfiles/files/ABIDreport110413.pdf
MARKETING ACTIVITIES
An international road show was undertaken by Dart Mining’s Managing Director during the quarter, with approximately 25 meetings being held with interested parties over five days in New York, London and Zurich. The feedback on Dart Mining was very positive, especially its strong cash position and the recent involvement of Red Kite.
Having Red Kite as a significant shareholder and royalty investor has given the company significantly increased creditability with international investors as Red Kite is well known and highly regarded. This has opened up meetings with potential investors who would not normally meet with a company of Dart Mining’s market capitalisation.
Dart Mining held a Broker lunch in Melbourne in June with over 70 attendees and a similar event is planned for July in Sydney. Dart Mining will also be presenting at the Noosa Resources Conference in July and in September will again present at the Melbourne Resource Roundup Conference.
DART MINING MEDIA ACTIVITIES FOR THE QUARTER
During the quarter, Dart Mining was featured in a number of media interviews and articles, including:
-
27 June 2013 -- Dart Mining to present at Noosa Mining Conference, brr media
-
16 May 2013 - - New mining find adds value, Corryong Courier
-
April 2013 -- Dart scores a bullseye by Vetti Kakulas, Australia's Mining Monthly
About Dart Mining
Dart Mining NL (ASX:DTM) is a Melbourne-based exploration and development company that has discovered and is seeking to develop a new mineralised porphyry province in north east Victoria. The Dart province hosts molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn) and gold (Au) mineralisation in porphyry igneous intrusions. It lies adjacent to the Gilmore suture with numerous intersecting splay faults. NSW is a proven host of world class porphyry mines associated with splay structures off the Gilmore Suture such as North Parkes, Cadia and Ridgeway, as is the Stockman Copper, Zinc, Silver and Gold VMS project, which is at an advanced stage of development in Victoria about 35km south of Dart Mining’s tenements.
The Unicorn Project, which is Dart Mining’s principal project, is molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) Climax-style porphyry that has similar geological characteristics to the world class Henderson Climax-style primary Mo porphyry mine in Colorado USA. The Unicorn Project has a number of unique characteristics. It outcrops, has an extensive high grade zone from surface, is about 20km from the National Electricity Market infrastructure (hydro generation, switchyards and transmission lines), has abundant water onsite, road access, an existing logistics chain from mine to market, no known native title, flora or fauna issues and strong Corryong community and government support.
Dart Mining completed a detailed preliminary economic assessment (scoping study) for the Unicorn Project in October 2012. It yielded compelling economic results and warranted the undertaking by Dart Mining of the proposed prefeasibility studies. The Prefeasibility Study for Unicorn is underway with a targeted completion date of Q1 2014.
About Molybdenum
Molybdenum is both a traditional and new age/future metal with unique characteristics. Its primary use is as an essential metal in the manufacture of steel as it adds strength, hardness, toughness and resistance to corrosion. Molybdenum also has a range of chemical uses including acting as a catalyst to remove impurities, notably sulphur, during crude oil production. Molybdenum is also used in the paint and plastics industries.
World demand for molybdenum is growing at 4% to 6% pa and new uses for molybdenum continue to be discovered. A recent example is the development by two Australian scientists of a new two-dimensional material using molybdenum oxide that they believe could revolutionise the electronics market by facilitating thinner, faster and lighter gadgets. This continues molybdenum’s diversification into areas and uses in addition to its traditional use in steel production.
The use of molybdenum is also growing in the renewable energy sector where it is used in the manufacture of solar panels and, potentially, as an electrode plate for the separation of hydrogen and oxygen to produce hydrogen energy. Molybdenum is also used in nano-technologies to make electrical goods smaller.
COMPETENT PERSON’S STATEMENT
Information in this report that relates to a statement of Exploration Results and Mineral Resources of the Company is based on information compiled by Dean Turnbull B.App.Sc.(Geol) Hons. M. AIG. Mr Turnbull is a Director and full time employee of Dart Mining NL and has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity he has undertaken to qualify as a competent person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” (or “JORC Code”). Mr Turnbull has provided written consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.