www.horizonteminerals.com
Horizonte Minerals Plc. is focused on exploration and development of mineral projects in Brazil. It has a successful track record in partnering with major mining companies. The Group is led by a management team with over 50 years of combined experience in the South American exploration and mining industry.
Principal projects include the wholly-owned Araguaia nickel laterite project, located in the southern Carajas Mineral District in Brazil, acquired in August 2010 from Teck. Work is focussed on the delivery of a 100 million tonne resource with fast track to Feasibility Study stage. On the gold programme Horizonte operates in partnership with Anglo Gold Ashanti to generate new world class projects in both north and southern Brazil.
Horizonte Minerals to publish updated resource statement on Araguaia next month
Horizonte Minerals (LON:HZM) said it plans to publish an updated resource statement next month for its Araguaia nickel laterite project in northern Brazil.
It also expects to release a preliminary economic assessment of Araguaia at some point in the first quarter, and a baseline study is due for completion by the fourth quarter.
Initial metallurgical test work is also near completion to assess the ore’s characteristics, the company said.
The company also said it is actively looking to secure land around the project.
Araguaia currently boasts an NI 43-101 inferred resource of 76.6 million tonnes grading 1.35 per cent nickel.
Horizonte's CEO Jeremy Martin said: "Throughout the course of 2011 the company has delivered principal milestones at the Araguaia nickel project, on time and to budget.
“Araguaia has returned multiple high grade drill results adding continuity to the main target zones and is developing into a significant nickel asset in terms of tonnage and grade when compared with its global nickel peer group.
“The beginning of 2012 will see Horizonte continue to deliver on a number of key milestones at Araguaia, including preparation of a new resource estimate, concluding positive metallurgical testwork and producing the preliminary economic assessment to establish the project's economic viability.
“In turn we are actively looking to secure additional land around our Araguaia project to further consolidate our position in this prime nickel region, and once we have the PEA in hand, we will commence further work towards a pre-feasibility study including infill and exploration drilling to continue expanding and upgrading the resource base.
In an update on its progress this morning Horizonte also said that it expects its joint venture partner AngloGold Ashanti to carry out an induced polarization geophysical survey and a step out soil geochemical survey on the Falcao gold deposit in the first quarter.
This will be followed by further drilling in the second quarter. This year 15 holes have been completed for a total of 3,663 metres.
With £5.8 million it is in a comparatively strong cash position moving into 2012.
“(This) combined with supportive mining partners and defined work programmes to fast-track development of Araguaia and our gold assets in Brazil, I believe we are in a strong position to deliver our key milestones and build significant value uplift for shareholders for the year ahead. I look forward to updating the market on our progress throughout 2012," Martin added.
