announcement - revised timetable
ASX/MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 18 December 2015
PROJECT UPDATE - OMAN
Alara Resources Limited (ASX: AUQ) (Alara or Company) is pleased to announce positive test results for the Al Hadeetha Copper-Gold Project in Oman.
The Al Hadeetha Copper-Gold Project (formerly the Washihi Project) is located approximately 80-160km east and southeast of Alara's Daris Copper-Gold Project, and comprises three exploration licences (Washihi, Mullaq and Al Ajal) which cover approximately 80km2. These licenses are held in the name of the joint venture company Al Hadeetha Resources LLC.
Completion of a feasibility study in Oman is expected in Q1 2016. Additional work recently undertaken includes geotech logging of drill cores in Oman by an Australian based specialist group and testing of selected core samples for geotech properties in Australia (in progress).
As noted in the Company prospectus released last month, further development is scheduled post feasibility study, including development of exploration targets aimed at moving from 'base case' to target case'1. The feasibility study (which builds on $7m of exploration and evaluation studies previously undertaken by the Company) focuses on current JORC Resources and will also support the Mining Licence application which was submitted by Al Hadeetha Resources last year.
Positive results of recent metallurgical test work show the Washihi deposit to produce copper concentrates superior to those known elsewhere from Oman. Simple mineralogy of the sulphides and the gangue minerals enable excellent recovery at 91.7% contained copper at a concentrate grade of 23.2% copper (see Figure 1).
The usage of reagents and consumables will be minimal. Coupled with low energy cost in Oman, the process operating costs are expected to be below US $7/- per tonne of rock processed.
Key findings from the latest mineralogical report include:
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The sulphides are dominated by chalcopyrite CuFeS2 (has 34.6%Cu) with subordinate bornite Cu5Fe2+S4 (has 63.3%Cu) forming more than 80% of the concentrate. .
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The chalcopyrite grains are angular ranging from less than 20 to +50 µ (see Figures 2 and 4).
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A small percentage of the chalcopyrite is present as composites with pyrite. These are typically 30-50 µ composites of variable proportions of pyrite and chalcopyrite (see Figure 4).
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The bornite Cu5Fe2+S4 (has 63.3%Cu) is present as discrete grains that tend to be finer than chalcopyrite, sometimes discrete with it but not with pyrite (see Figure 3).
1 Refer ASX Announcement dated 14 October 2014 for a description of 'base case' and 'target case'.
Figure 1 - Process flow sheet and mass balance for Washihi
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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For further information, please contact:
Justin Richard T | +61 8 9481 0389
Elizabeth Hunt T | +61 8 9481 0389
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement is based on information compiled by Mr Shanker Madan, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Madan is a Director of Alara Resources Limited. Mr Madan has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code, 2012 edition. Mr Madan consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
About Alara Resources
Alara Resources Limited (ASX: AUQ) is an Australian-based minerals exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Alara has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on its flagship Khnaiguiyah Zinc- Copper Project in Saudi Arabia and an Advanced Scoping Study on its Daris/Al Hadeetha Copper-Gold Projects in Oman. The Company is now transitioning towards establishing itself as an emerging base and precious metals mine development and production company. For more information, please visit: www.alararesources.com.