AIM
and Media Release
31 July 2024
Base
Resources Limited
2024
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement
Key Points
-
Kwale
North Dune Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates reduced due
to mining depletion and related sterilisation during the year to
30 June 2024, and removal of Mineral
Resources no longer considered to have prospects of eventual
economic extraction, resulting in:
-
Mineral
Resources reducing by 157Mt and
2.33Mt of heavy mineral.
-
Ore
Reserves reducing by 6.6Mt and 0.15Mt of heavy mineral.
-
Bumamani
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates reduced on an overall
basis due to mining depletion and related sterilisation during the
year to 30 June 2024, only being
partially offset by increases from extensional drilling following
additional land access, with:
-
Mineral
Resources reducing by 3.7Mt and 0.08Mt of heavy
mineral.
-
Ore
Reserves reducing by 1.9Mt and 0.05Mt of heavy mineral.
-
Kwale
South Dune Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates were fully
depleted and/or sterilised following completion of mining in
January 2024.
-
The
Toliara Project’s Ranobe Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
estimates are both unchanged.
SUMMARY
The 2024
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates for
Base Resources Limited (ASX /
AIM: BSE) are summarised in the table below, together with the 2023
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates for
comparison.
The
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates in this statement are
reported in accordance with the JORC Code.
Table
1: 2024
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates compared with the 2023
estimates.
|
20241
as at 30
June 2024
|
20231
as at 30
June 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
LEUC
|
ZIR
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
LEUC
|
ZIR
|
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
Mineral Resources
(Measured + Indicated + Inferred, inclusive of Ore
Reserves)
|
Kwale2
|
13.5
|
0.22
|
1.6
|
36
|
1.1
|
51
|
153
|
-
|
5.8
|
184
|
2.8
|
1.5
|
36
|
1.9
|
45
|
133
|
-
|
5.8
|
Ranobe4
|
2,580
|
111
|
4.3
|
7.7
|
0.4
|
71
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
2,580
|
111
|
4.3
|
7.7
|
0.4
|
71
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
Ore Reserves
(Proved + Probable)
|
Kwale
|
7.6
|
0.14
|
1.8
|
33
|
1.3
|
52
|
16
|
-
|
6.2
|
21
|
0.5
|
2.2
|
32
|
2.1
|
52
|
14
|
-
|
6.1
|
Ranobe
|
904
|
55
|
6.1
|
3.8
|
0.1
|
73
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
904
|
55
|
6.1
|
3.8
|
0.1
|
73
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
[Notes:
(1):
Table
may be subject to slight arithmetic differences due to
rounding.
(2):
Kwale incorporates the Kwale South Dune, Kwale North Dune and
Bumamani deposits.
(3):
Kwale rutile reported is rutile + leucoxene
minerals.
(4):
The Ranobe Mineral Resources estimate also specifies the monazite
and garnet within the mineral assemblage as a percentage of HM,
refer to the standalone table for the Ranobe Mineral Resources
estimate below for these percentages.]
A glossary
of key terms used in this announcement is set out below. All
figures referred to in this announcement are attached.
KWALE
DEPOSITS
The
Company’s 100% owned Kwale Mineral Sands Operations
(Kwale
Operations) in
Kenya is located in Kwale County
and approximately 50 kilometres
south of Mombasa and 10 kilometres inland from the Kenyan
coast.
The
Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Base Titanium, holds Special
Mining Lease No.
23 (SML
23), which
contains the Kwale South Dune, the Kwale North Dune and the
Bumamani deposits, and has a net attributable interest of 100% in
the 2024 Kwale Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
estimates.
Mineral
Resources
The 2024
Kwale Mineral Resources, as at 30 June
2024, are estimated to be 13.5Mt at an average HM grade of
1.6% for 0.22Mt of contained HM, at a 1% HM cut-off
grade.
Table
2: 2024
Kwale Mineral Resources estimate compared with the 2023 estimate at
a 1% HM cut-off grade.
|
2024
as at 30
June 2024
|
2023
as at 30
June 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
Category
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
ZIR
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
ZIR
|
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
Kwale South Dune Mineral Resources
|
Measured
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4.9
|
0.11
|
2.2
|
26
|
2.3
|
59
|
14
|
6.1
|
Indicated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4.0
|
0.09
|
2.2
|
27
|
6.1
|
57
|
14
|
6.0
|
Total
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8.9
|
0.19
|
2.2
|
26
|
4.0
|
58
|
14
|
6.1
|
Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources
|
Measured
|
8.1
|
0.13
|
1.7
|
38
|
0.6
|
52
|
15
|
5.5
|
104
|
1.60
|
1.5
|
37
|
1.5
|
40
|
13
|
5.4
|
Indicated
|
3.3
|
0.05
|
1.6
|
39
|
1.0
|
50
|
14
|
5.2
|
62
|
0.89
|
1.4
|
37
|
2.1
|
49
|
14
|
6.1
|
Inferred
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
0.03
|
1.2
|
37
|
2.9
|
49
|
15
|
6.5
|
Total
|
11.4
|
0.19
|
1.6
|
38
|
0.7
|
51
|
15
|
5.4
|
169
|
2.51
|
1.5
|
37
|
1.8
|
43
|
13
|
5.7
|
Bumamani Mineral Resources
|
Measured
|
1.7
|
0.03
|
1.8
|
20
|
2.2
|
51
|
17
|
8.2
|
3.0
|
0.066
|
2.2
|
19
|
2.2
|
48
|
15
|
7.5
|
Indicated
|
0.5
|
0.01
|
1.6
|
22
|
7.2
|
52
|
16
|
7.4
|
2.6
|
0.045
|
1.7
|
23
|
5.2
|
47
|
16
|
7.7
|
Inferred
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.3
|
0.004
|
1.4
|
27
|
6.1
|
41
|
14
|
7.8
|
Total
|
2.2
|
0.04
|
1.7
|
20
|
3.4
|
51
|
17
|
8.0
|
5.9
|
0.115
|
1.9
|
21
|
3.8
|
47
|
15
|
7.6
|
Total Kwale Mineral Resources
|
Measured
|
9.8
|
0.16
|
1.7
|
35
|
0.9
|
52
|
15
|
5.9
|
112
|
1.77
|
1.6
|
36
|
1.6
|
41
|
13
|
5.5
|
Indicated
|
3.8
|
0.06
|
1.6
|
37
|
1.7
|
50
|
14
|
5.5
|
69
|
1.02
|
1.5
|
36
|
2.5
|
50
|
14
|
6.2
|
Inferred
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
0.03
|
1.2
|
36
|
3.3
|
48
|
15
|
6.7
|
Total
|
13.5
|
0.22
|
1.6
|
36
|
1.1
|
51
|
15
|
5.8
|
184
|
2.82
|
1.5
|
36
|
1.9
|
45
|
13
|
5.8
|
Table
may be subject to slight arithmetic differences due to
rounding.
Mineral
Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves.
The 2024
Kwale Mineral Resources estimate represents a decrease of
approximately 170Mt (or 93%) in material tonnes containing 2.6Mt of
HM compared to the 2023 Kwale Mineral Resources
estimate.
This was
primarily due to an update of the Kwale North Dune Mineral Resource
to remove material no longer considered to have prospects of
eventual economic extraction, together with mining depletion and
associated sterilisation of the Kwale South Dune, Kwale North Dune
and Bumamani Mineral Resources.
The Kwale
South Dune Mineral Resources were wholly depleted and/or sterilised
following the completion of mining in January 2024, a decrease of 8.9Mt containing
0.19Mt of HM compared to the 2023 Kwale South Dune Mineral
Resources estimate.
The 2024
Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources are estimated to be 11.4Mt at an
average HM grade of 1.6% for 0.19Mt of contained HM as at
30 June 2024, a decrease of
157Mt containing 2.33Mt of HM
compared to the 2023 Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources
estimate.
The 2024
Bumamani Mineral Resources are estimated to be 2.2Mt at an average
HM grade of 1.7% for 0.04Mt of contained HM as at 30 June 2024, a decrease of 3.7Mt containing
0.08Mt of HM compared to the 2023 Bumamani Mineral Resources
estimate.
An infill
drill program on the Kwale North Dune and Bumamani deposits was
completed during 2023 for improved resource definition and
classification to support detailed mine
planning.
As part of
this drill program, access was obtained to land on the southern
boundary of the Bumamani deposit, allowing drilling to further
extend the deposit 250 metres along strike.
Both the
Kwale North Dune and Bumamani Mineral Resources estimates have been
updated for the additional drilling and revised mineral assemblage
values following refinement of the Kwale MinMod
algorithm.
The
corresponding Kwale North Dune and Bumamani Ore Reserves estimates
have also been reported using the updated resource models and
revised pit designs.
Ore
Reserves
Included
within the Kwale Mineral Resources are the Kwale Ore Reserves,
estimated to be 7.6Mt at an average HM grade
of 1.8% for 0.14Mt of contained HM as at 30
June 2024.
Table
3: 2024
Kwale Ore Reserves estimate compared with the 2023
estimate.
|
2024
as at 30
June 2024
|
2023
as at 30
June 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
|
|
|
|
|
HM
Assemblage
|
Category
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
ZIR
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
ZIR
|
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
Kwale South Dune Ore Reserves
|
Proved
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3.6
|
0.09
|
2.4
|
27
|
2.2
|
59
|
14
|
6.1
|
Probable
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.6
|
0.05
|
3.0
|
26
|
7.4
|
57
|
13
|
6.1
|
Total
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5.2
|
0.13
|
2.6
|
27
|
3.8
|
58
|
14
|
6.1
|
Kwale North Dune Ore Reserves
|
Proved
|
4.6
|
0.08
|
1.9
|
38
|
0.5
|
53
|
15
|
5.6
|
7.3
|
0.15
|
2.1
|
39
|
0.7
|
48
|
13
|
5.5
|
Probable
|
1.0
|
0.02
|
1.8
|
39
|
1.1
|
49
|
14
|
5.1
|
4.9
|
0.10
|
2.1
|
38
|
1.6
|
52
|
13
|
5.9
|
Total
|
5.6
|
0.10
|
1.8
|
38
|
0.6
|
53
|
15
|
5.5
|
12.1
|
0.25
|
2.1
|
39
|
1.1
|
50
|
13
|
5.6
|
Bumamani Ore Reserves
|
Proved
|
1.6
|
0.03
|
1.7
|
20
|
2.1
|
51
|
17
|
8.2
|
2.6
|
0.06
|
2.3
|
19
|
2.2
|
48
|
16
|
7.5
|
Probable
|
0.4
|
0.01
|
1.7
|
22
|
7.5
|
52
|
16
|
7.3
|
1.3
|
0.03
|
2.2
|
19
|
5.3
|
48
|
16
|
7.6
|
Total
|
2.1
|
0.04
|
1.7
|
20
|
3.3
|
51
|
17
|
8.0
|
3.9
|
0.09
|
2.3
|
19
|
3.2
|
48
|
16
|
7.5
|
Total Kwale Ore Reserves
|
Proved
|
6.2
|
0.11
|
1.8
|
33
|
0.9
|
53
|
16
|
6.3
|
13.5
|
0.30
|
2.2
|
32
|
1.4
|
51
|
14
|
6.1
|
Probable
|
1.4
|
0.03
|
1.8
|
34
|
3.0
|
50
|
15
|
5.7
|
7.8
|
0.18
|
2.3
|
33
|
3.4
|
53
|
14
|
6.2
|
Total
|
7.6
|
0.14
|
1.8
|
33
|
1.3
|
52
|
16
|
6.2
|
21.3
|
0.48
|
2.2
|
32
|
2.1
|
52
|
14
|
6.1
|
Table
may be subject to slight arithmetic differences due to
rounding.
The 2024
Kwale Ore Reserves estimate represents a decrease of approximately
13.7Mt (or 64%) in ore tonnes containing 0.34Mt (or 71%) of HM
compared to the 2023 Kwale Ore Reserves estimate.
The Kwale
South Dune Ore Reserves were wholly depleted and/or sterilised
following the completion of mining in January 2024, a decrease of 5.2Mt containing
0.13Mt of HM.
The Kwale
North Dune Ore Reserves are estimated to be 5.6Mt at an average HM
grade of 1.8% for 0.10Mt of contained HM as at
30 June
2024, a decrease of 6.6Mt containing 0.15Mt of HM due to
mining depletion, sterilisation, and revised pit designs following
the 2023 infill drill program referred to above.
The
Bumamani Ore Reserves are estimated to be 2.1Mt at an average HM
grade of 1.7% for 0.04Mt of contained HM as at 30 June 2024, a decrease of 1.9Mt containing
0.05Mt of HM due to mining depletion and sterilisation, partially
offset by revised pit designs following the 2023 infill and
extensional drill program referred to above.
Ranobe
Deposit
The
Company’s 100% owned Toliara Project is based on the Ranobe
deposit, located approximately 45 kilometres
north of the town of Toliara and 15km inland from the coast in
south-west Madagascar.
The Ranobe
deposit sits within Permis
d’Exploitation 37242,
which is a mining lease under Malagasy law and is held by the
Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Base Toliara
SARL.
Base
Toliara SARL has a net attributable interest of 100% in the 2024
Ranobe Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates.
On-ground
activities at the Toliara Project have been suspended since the
Government of Madagascar-imposed
suspension, which was put in place in November 2019, pending agreement on the fiscal
terms applying to the project.
Following
engagement with the Government in early 2024, and as confirmed
during recent discussions, Base Resources considers in-principle
agreement has been reached on the key fiscal terms that will apply
to the whole Toliara Project (i.e. both mineral sands and
monazite), although these remain subject to entry of binding
documentation and therefore the terms remain subject to change and
timing is ultimately uncertain.
These key
terms include applicable royalties and Base Resources’ required
contributions to national and regional development projects, on
achieving set milestones (such as achieving the requisite legal and
fiscal stability for the project) pre and post a final investment
decision.
Engagement
with the Government is now focused on agreeing the terms of a
binding memorandum of understanding (MoU)
that records the terms agreed in-principle, a draft of which is
well advanced.
Lifting of
the Toliara Project’s on-ground suspension is expected to occur
upon entry into the MoU, which Base Resources believes to be
achievable in the near term.
Discussions
are also underway on the terms of the definitive investment
agreement to be entered with the Government that will replace the
MoU and will establish the necessary legal foundation for
development of the Toliara Project.
The intent
is for the investment agreement to be approved and ratified by the
Malagasy Parliament and have the force of law, following which the
Company would seek eligibility certification under the Large Mining
Investment Law (LGIM)
in order for (among other things) the agreed fiscal regime and then
current Malagasy law, as supplemented and clarified by the
investment agreement, to be stabilised for the duration of the
certification.
Once
fiscal terms have been recorded in binding arrangements and the
suspension has been lifted, Base Resources believes it would take
approximately 14 months to complete the necessary work to reach a
final investment decision, including:
-
completion
of the necessary land acquisitions;
-
finalisation
of funding arrangements;
-
ratification
of the investment agreement and LGIM eligibility certification;
and
-
entry into
offtake agreements and major construction contracts.
In view of
the progress made with the Government of Madagascar on agreeing fiscal terms and the
terms of the MoU and investment agreement to replace the MoU (both
as described above), the Company considers there are reasonable
grounds for the project progressing in the near term, allowing the
continued public reporting of the Ranobe Ore Reserves
estimates.
Furthermore
(and by extension), the Company also considers that the continued
public reporting of the Ranobe Mineral Resources estimates is
permissible as resources continue to have reasonable prospects for
eventual economic extraction.
The basis
for this includes the progress made with the Government of
Madagascar discussions referred to
above, as well as the large scale and high grade nature of the
deposit, the completed feasibility studies with test work
indicating that typical mineral sands processing recoveries are
achievable and the forecast strong economic
outcomes.
Mineral
Resources
The 2024
Ranobe Mineral Resources are unchanged from the 2023 estimate of
2,580Mt at an average HM grade of 4.3% for 111Mt of contained HM, based on a 1.5% HM cut-off
grade.
Table
4: The 2024
Ranobe Mineral Resources estimate at a 1.5% HM cut-off
grade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral
Assemblage as % of HM
|
Category
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
LEUC
|
ZIR
|
MON
|
GARN
|
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
2024 Ranobe Mineral Resources
(as at 30 June 2024)
|
Measured
|
597
|
36
|
6.1
|
4.3
|
0.2
|
74
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
1.9
|
2.2
|
Indicated
|
793
|
35
|
4.4
|
7.1
|
0.5
|
71
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
2.0
|
3.6
|
Inferred
|
1,190
|
39
|
3.3
|
9.7
|
0.6
|
69
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.8
|
2.0
|
4.3
|
Total
|
2,580
|
111
|
4.3
|
7.7
|
0.4
|
71
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
2.0
|
3.4
|
Table
may be subject to slight arithmetic differences due to
rounding.
Mineral
Resources are reported inclusive of Ore
Reserves.
Ore
Reserves
Included
within the Ranobe Mineral
Resources are the Ranobe Ore Reserves, estimated to be 904Mt at an average HM grade of 6.1% for 55Mt of
contained HM as at 30 June 2024,
which is unchanged from the 2023 estimate.
No
monazite or garnet is incorporated in the Ranobe Ore Reserves
estimate because the existing mining tenure, Permis D’Exploitation
37242, does not currently provide the right to exploit these
minerals.
Table
5: The 2024
Ranobe Ore Reserves estimate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral
Assemblage as % of HM
|
Category
|
Tonnes
|
HM
|
HM
|
SL
|
OS
|
ILM
|
RUT
|
LEUC^
|
ZIR
|
|
(Mt)
|
(Mt)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
(%)
|
2024 Ranobe Ore Reserves
(as at 30 June 2024)
|
Proved
|
433
|
30
|
6.9
|
3.8
|
0.1
|
75
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
6.0
|
Probable
|
472
|
25
|
5.3
|
3.9
|
0.2
|
72
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.8
|
Total
|
904
|
55
|
6.1
|
3.8
|
0.1
|
73
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
5.9
|
Table
may be subject to slight arithmetic differences due to
rounding.
^Recovered
Leucoxene will be split between Rutile and Chloride Ilmenite
products depending on product specification
requirements.
Further
information
The Kwale
North Dune and Bumamani Mineral Resources estimates reported in
this statement have materially changed since they were last
reported in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 (and the
information material to understanding the estimates in relation to
the applicable criteria in Table 1 of the JORC Code was publicly
disclosed).
Consequently,
further information about both estimates is set out below and
includes the summary information prescribed by ASX Listing Rule 5.8
and the explanatory information provided for the purposes of
Sections 1 to 3 of Table 1 of the JORC Code, included as Appendix 1
(Kwale North Dune) and Appendix 2 (Bumamani) to this
announcement.
To avoid
doubt, the Company does not consider the reduced Kwale North Dune
and Bumamani Ore Reserve estimates constitute material changes for
the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 5.9.
For
further information about the other estimates in this statement,
including information that is material to understanding the
estimates in relation to the applicable criteria in Table 1 of the
JORC Code, refer to the announcements in the table below, which are
available on the Company’s website at
https://baseresources.com.au/investors/announcements/ .
Deposit(s)
|
|
Announcement
Title
|
Estimate
Date
|
Release
Date
|
Kwale
North Dune and Bumamani
|
Ore
Reserves
|
Maiden
Kwale North Dune and Bumamani Ore Reserves estimates
|
20 June
2022
|
20 June
2022
|
Ranobe
(Toliara
Project)
|
Mineral
Resources & Ore Reserves
|
Updated
Ranobe Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates
|
27
September 2021
|
27
September 2021
|
2023
Comparatives
|
Mineral
Resources & Ore Reserves
|
2023
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement
|
30 June
2023
|
12 August
2022
|
Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves Governance
A summary
of the governance, internal controls and estimation process
applicable to Base Resources’ Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
estimates is as follows:
Mineral
Resources
-
Review and
validation of drilling and sampling methodology and data spacing,
geological logging, data collection and storage, sampling and
analytical quality control.
-
Geological
interpretation – review of known and interpreted structure,
lithology and weathering controls.
-
Estimation
methodology – relevant to mineralisation style and proposed mining
methodology.
-
Comparison
of estimation results with previous mineral resources models, and
with results using alternate modelling methodologies.
-
Visual
validation of block model against raw composite data.
-
Assessment
of reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction.
-
Use of
external Competent Persons to assist in preparation of initial
Mineral Resources estimates or complete an independent review of
initial Mineral Resources estimates.
Ore
Reserves
-
Review of
potential mining methodology to suit deposit and mineralisation
characteristics.
-
Review of
potential Modifying Factors, including cost assumptions and
commodity prices to be utilised in mining evaluation.
-
Ore
Reserves estimate updates initiated following material changes in
the relevant Modifying Factor assumptions.
-
Optimisation
using appropriate software packages for open pit
evaluation.
-
Design
based on optimisation results.
-
Use of
external Competent Persons to assist in preparation of initial Ore
Reserves estimates.
Further
information relevant to both the 2024 Kwale North Dune and Bumamani
Mineral Resources estimates
Kwale
Operations is located on SML 23, which includes the core of the
Kwale North and Bumamani deposits.
The Kwale
Project initially comprised three broad areas that contained
concentrations of heavy minerals. They
were the Kwale Central Dune, Kwale South Dune (both now fully
depleted by mining and currently undergoing rehabilitation) and the
Kwale North Dune deposits (refer to Figure 1 attached), with the
Bumamani deposit only being discovered in 2017 after mining
operations had commenced.
The
project was initially owned by Tiomin Resources Inc.
(Tiomin)
which conducted drilling in 1997 and then by Base Titanium (a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Base Resources) which purchased the
project late in 2010 and commenced confirmatory and extensional
drilling of the Central, South and North Dune
deposits.
The Kwale
North Dune deposit was initially excluded from the project on the
basis of heavy mineral grade and the then prevailing economic
conditions. However, in 2018, with improved economic conditions,
the potential of the Kwale North Dune was re-evaluated using
refined resource definition methodology and insights gained from
five years of mining the Kwale Central Dune. Following this, the
2019 Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources estimate was
completed.
The rocks
of the area are of sedimentary origin and range in age from Upper
Carboniferous to Recent. Three divisions are recognised: the
Cainozoic rocks, the Upper Mesozoic rocks (not exposed within the
area) and the Duruma Sandstone Series giving rise to the dominant
topographical feature of the area: the Shimba Hills. The Shimba
grits and Mazeras sandstone are of Upper Triassic age and form the
Upper Duruma Sandstone.
The
Margarini sands form a belt of low hills running parallel to the
coast. They rest with slight unconformity on the Shimba grits and
Mazeras sandstone. This formation was deposited during Pliocene
times and consists mainly of unconsolidated fluviatile sediments
derived from the Duruma Sandstone Series.
The Kwale
deposits are an aeolian subset of the Margarini sands and are
generally poorly stratified and contain a fraction of clay, which
for the Kwale North Dune and Bumamani deposits is approximately 35%
and 20%, respectively. Valuable heavy mineral (VHM),
mainly ilmenite, rutile, and zircon are locally concentrated and
are abundant in some places, giving rise to the
deposits.
Further
information specific to the 2024 Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources
estimate
The
geological interpretations for the Kwale North Dune deposit
considered the data in the drill logs, assay results, microscope
logging of HM sinks, detailed mineralogy and knowledge gained from
mining the Kwale Central Dune and Kwale South Dune deposits. Four
geological domains have been identified at the Kwale North Dune
deposit. These were used and honoured during the geological
modelling (refer to Figure 2 attached).
The
uppermost zone, referred to as Ore Zone 1, is a dark red brown,
predominantly fine grained, well sorted silty sand with very little
induration and is similar to the Ore Zone 1 units in the other
Kwale deposits. Mineralogically, it is characterised by clean,
glossy, and rounded HM grains with an average VHM content of
approximately 75%.
Ore Zone 4
lies below Ore Zone 1, with an indurated paleo-surface separating
the two zones, as observed in the field through difficult drill bit
penetration and pit exposures, and in HM sink logs, exhibiting
elevated iron oxides. The Ore Zone 4 material is higher in slimes
with difficult washability and the grain sorting is generally poor.
It is slightly lower in VHM content (~70%), often with elevated
iron oxides and alumino-silicate minerals (kyanite, andalusite and
sillimanite). Ore Zone 4 is considered a fluvial deposit based on
the difficulty of wash and the poor grain sorting.
Ore Zone 5
lies below Ore Zone 4 and is separated by a lateritic paleo-surface
and is also hosted in a fluviatile clay-rich, poorly sorted
formation. It is distinguished mineralogically by an increased
amount of almandine garnet that reports to the magnetic fraction,
and other trash HM significantly increasing magnesium, manganese,
aluminium, and silicon in the oxide chemistry. As a result of this,
Ore Zone 5 has a notably lower average VHM content (~45%). Ore Zone
5 was previously reported as part of the Kwale North Dune Mineral
Resources estimate, but the material has proven to be problematic
for efficient hydraulic mining (due to a combination of high clay
content and compaction) and mineral processing (poor quality
mineral chemistry and variable mineralogy) and is now
excluded.
The
Basement Zone lies below Ore Zone 5 and is typically hosted in
weathered variants of the Mesozoic (Permo-Triassic) Duruma
Sandstones. It does contain mineralisation, however its VHM content
is approximately 10% and is predominantly titano-haematite (<40%
TiO2),
with zircon enrichment in the non-magnetic fraction. The Basement
Zone is not considered to hold potential for eventual economic
extraction due to its low VHM content, depth of burial, high slime
content (>40%), variability of mineralisation, and presence of
induration.
For all
ore zones, a strong correlation between the field logs, HM sink
logs and XRF oxide chemistry and QEMSCAN mineralogy gives
confidence to these interpretations.
Following
acquisition of the Kwale Project, subsequent resource drilling of
the Kwale North Dune deposit was completed using the reverse
circulation, air core (RCAC)
method and conducted in four campaigns: November 2010, December
2012 to April 2013,
June 2018 to May 2019, and August
2023 to September 2023 (refer
to Figure 3 attached). A total of 590 holes were drilled for 22,860
metres and generated 7,788 sample assays for resource estimation
(excludes basement samples) over the current area of tenure. Tiomin
had drilled 37 holes in 1997 but due to poor twinned hole assay
repeatability, no Tiomin drilling information was used by Base
Resources for the resource estimates.
The
predominantly three metre sample intervals in the 2010 and 2012/13
drilling were replaced by sampling at 1.5 metre intervals for the
2018/19 and 2023 drill programs to provide greater control on
geological boundaries. Sample sizes averaged close to 3kg at this
sample interval when collecting 25% of the rotary splitter
cycle.
Sub-samples
of the drill samples were dried, weighed, and screened for material
less than 45μm (slimes) and +1 mm (oversize). Approximately 100
grams of the screened sample was subjected to a HM float/sink
technique using the heavy liquids, lithium polytungstate and sodium
polytungstate with a specific gravity of 2.85gcm-3.
The resulting HM concentrate was dried and weighed as were the
other separated constituent size fractions (the minus 45μm material
being calculated by difference).
Mineral
assemblage analyses were conducted by Base Resources to
characterise the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of
specific mineral species and magnetic fractions. These mineral
assemblage samples were subjected to magnetic separation using a
Mineral Technologies induced-roll magnetic separator which captures
magnetic (mag),
middling (mid)
and non-magnetic (non-mag)
fractions. The mid and mag fractions were combined and, with the
non-mag fraction, were subjected to XRF analysis using a Bruker, S8
Tiger XRF.
Data from
the mag and non-mag XRF analyses were then processed through an
algorithm (MinMod)
that runs multiple iterations in assigning key chemical species to
derive a calculated mineralogy determination.
Drill hole
collar and geology data was captured by industry-specific, field
logging software with on-board validation. Field and assay data
were managed in a MS Access database and subsequently migrated to a
more secure SQL database.
Standard
samples were generated and certified for use in the field and
laboratory. Accuracy of HM and slimes (SL)
analysis was verified by using the standard samples and monitored
using control charts. Standard errors greater than three standard
deviations from the mean prompted batch re-assay. A standard
precision analysis was conducted on the key assay fields: HM, SL
and oversize (OS)
for both laboratory and field duplicate samples. Normal scatter and
QQ plots were prepared for HM, SL and OS for laboratory and field
duplicates.
A twin
drilling program was introduced for the 2018/19 program to quantify
short-range variability in geological character and grade
intersections. A water injection versus dry drilling assessment was
included in the twin drilling analysis. Field and laboratory
duplicate, standard and twin drilling analysis show adequate level
of accuracy and precision to support resource classifications as
stated.
A
topographic DTM was prepared by Base Resources based on a LIDAR
survey.
Construction
of the geological grade model was based on coding model cells
inside solid wireframe surfaces, comprising topography, and geology
(Ore Zones 1, 4, and 5) (refer to Figure 2 attached). Model cell
dimensions of 50m x 50m x 1.5m in the
XYZ orientations were utilised.
Interpolation
was undertaken using various sized search ellipses to populate the
model with primary grade fields (HM, SL, OS, ILM, RUT and ZIR), and
index fields (hardness, induration percent, mineralogy). Inverse
distance weighting to a power of three was used for primary assay
fields whilst nearest neighbour was used to interpolate index
fields. The attached Figure 4 shows an oblique view of the model
coloured by HM grades.
A fixed
bulk density of 1.7 (t/m3)
was applied to the 2024 Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources model.
This bulk density was selected based on operational experience in
the Kwale Central Dune, Kwale South Dune and Kwale North Dune
deposits and because no specific deposit bulk density sampling was
undertaken.
The Kwale
North Dune deposit is amenable to being mined and processed in a
similar way as the Kwale South Dune and using the existing plant
and equipment at the Kwale Operations: hydraulic mining, spiral
concentrator and mineral separation plant with magnetic,
electrostatic and further gravity separation. Unlike Ore Zone 1,
Ore Zone 4 requires mechanical mining assistance to break up
compacted clays for subsequent hydraulic mining. Fine and coarse
tailings are partially co-disposed together.
The
mining, metallurgical and operating cost modifying factors for the
Kwale North Dune deposit have proven to be similar to those derived
from mining the Kwale South Dune deposit, albeit marginally higher
cost due to the mechanical mining assistance required to break up
compacted clays in Ore Zone 4. It is considered that the Kwale
North Dune deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction when evaluated in the context of being part of an active
mining operation and taking into consideration the form,
characteristics and grade of the deposit.
The
criteria used for classification was primarily the drill spacing
(predominantly 100m x 100m) and sample interval (predominantly
1.5m), with consideration also given
to the continuity of mineral assemblage information. The ore zones
exhibit spatially different classifications mainly because of
differing density of mineralogical information and variography. An
infill drill program in 2023 has increased confidence levels in the
2024 Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources estimate. The 2024 Kwale
North Dune Mineral Resources estimate used a 1% HM bottom cut
because the economic cut-off grade established by financial
modelling is near to this, and resource estimates for Kwale
Operations have historically been reported at this cut-off grade.
The attached Figure 3 shows the distribution of the resource
classifications for Ore Zones 1 and 4, respectively.
The
significant decrease in material tonnes between the 2021 and 2024
Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources estimates is that the area
available for short term mining is constrained to an operational
envelope within SML 23 as the prospects for eventual economic
extraction outside of the current operational envelope are
considered poor given the low HM grade, high slimes content, lack
of capacity for slimes tailings storage and high cost and extended
timeframes for land acquisition.
Further
information specific to the 2024 Bumamani Mineral Resources
estimate
The
geological interpretations for the Bumamani deposit considered the
data in the drill logs, assay results, microscopic logging of HM
sinks, detailed mineralogy and knowledge gained from mining the
Kwale Central Dune and Kwale South Dune deposits. Four geological
domains have been identified at the Bumamani deposit. These were
used and honoured during the geological modelling (refer to Figure
5 attached).
The
uppermost zone at the Bumamani deposit, referred to as Ore Zone 1,
is a dark red brown, predominantly fine grained, well sorted silty
sand with very little induration and is similar to the Ore Zone 1
units in the other Kwale deposits. It averages 2.3% HM, 21% SL and
2% OS. The zone gets sandier to the east with reduced silt content.
Mineralogically it is characterised by clean, glossy and rounded HM
grains with an average VHM content of approximately 80%
VHM.
Ore Zone
20 is a newly recognised unit in the 2024 Bumamani Mineral
Resources estimate that occurs along the eastern edge of the
Bumamani deposit where there is a distinct but shallow topographic
dip that is interpreted as a paleoshoreline hosting pale coloured,
well sorted, upwards fining, medium grained sands. The contact with
Ore Zone 1 appears transitional and likely reflects some reworking,
with no Ore Zone 1 present east of the shallow scarp feature. Ore
Zone 20 averages 1.8% HM, 13% SL and 2% OS and has similar
mineralogy to Ore Zone 1 with slight enrichment of rutile and
zircon.
Ore Zone 4
lies below Ore Zone 1 and Ore Zone 20, with the contact represented
by a lateritic paleo-surface which may imply a time-gap in
depositional history. Ore Zone 4 is a fluviatile unit represented
locally with poorly sorted sandy clays and gritty sands. The Ore
Zone 4 domain averages 1.7% HM, 21% SL and 8% OS. Ore Zone 4 is
mineralogically similar to Ore Zone 1 with minor depletion of
rutile and zircon.
The
Basement Zone at the Bumamani deposit lies beneath Ore Zone 4 and
comprises compacted clays, sandy-clays, limestone and fluvial
sands. The grain sizes range from silt to pebbles and boulders,
with generally poor sorting and is characterised by trace
concentrations of HM typically with low VHM content.
For all
ore zones, a strong correlation between the field logs, HM sink
logs and XRF oxide chemistry and QEMSCAN mineralogy gives
confidence to these interpretations.
Drilling
of the Bumamani deposit was primarily completed using the RCAC
method and conducted in three campaigns in 2017, 2018 and 2023 all
employing 76mm diameter, 3m long NQ
drill rods. A small mechanical auger drilling program was completed
in early 2024 for resource edge definition purposes.
A total of
243 holes were drilled for 3,912m at
1.5m sampling intervals and generated
3,265 assayed samples for resource estimation (excludes basement
samples) (refer to
Figure 6 attached). Holes were drilled 50m apart on lines 100m apart. Samples from 2017 and 2018 were split
using a rig mounted rotary splitter which delivered an average of
2.7kg of dry sample per interval. Samples from 2023 were typically
drilled wet with the total interval sample collected and
subsequently air dried and riffle split off site.
Samples
were dried, weighed, and screened for material less than 45μm
(slimes) and +1 mm (oversize). Approximately 100 grams of the
screened sample was subjected to a HM float/sink technique using
the heavy liquid sodium polytungstate with a specific gravity of
2.85gcm-3.
The resulting HM concentrate was dried and weighed as were the
other separated constituent size fractions (the minus 45μm material
being calculated by difference).
Mineral
assemblage analyses were conducted to characterise the
mineralogical and chemical characteristics of specific mineral
species and magnetic fractions. These mineral assemblage samples
were subjected to magnetic separation using a Mineral Technologies
induced-roll magnetic separator which captures mag, mid and non-mag
fractions. The mid and mag fractions were combined and, with the
non-mag fraction, were subjected to XRF analysis using a Bruker, S8
Tiger XRF.
Data from
the mag and non-mag XRF analyses are processed through the MinMod
algorithm that runs multiple iterations in assigning key chemical
species to derive a calculated mineralogy determination.
Drill hole
collar and geology data was captured by industry-specific, field
logging software with on-board validation. Field and assay data
were managed in a MS Access database and subsequently migrated to a
more secure SQL database.
Standard
samples were generated and certified for use in the field and
laboratory. Accuracy of HM and SL analysis was verified by using
the standard samples and monitored using control charts. Standard
errors greater than three standard deviations from the mean
prompted batch re-assay. A standard precision analysis was
conducted on the key assay fields: HM, SL and OS for both
laboratory and field duplicate samples. Normal scatter and QQ plots
were prepared for HM, SL and OS for laboratory and field
duplicates.
A twin
drilling program was introduced for the 2018 program to quantify
short-range variability in geological character and grade
intersections. A water injection versus dry drilling assessment was
included in the twin drilling analysis. Field and laboratory
duplicate, standard and twin drilling analysis show adequate level
of accuracy and precision to support resource classifications as
stated.
A
topographic DTM was prepared by Base Resources based on a LIDAR
survey.
Construction
of the geological grade model was based on coding model cells
inside solid wireframe surfaces, comprising topography, and geology
(refer to Figure 5 attached). Model cell dimensions of 50m x 50m x
1.5m in the XYZ orientations were
utilised.
Interpolation
was undertaken using various sized search ellipses to populate the
model with primary grade fields (HM, SL, OS and mineralogy), and
index fields (hardness, induration percent). Inverse distance
weighting to a power of three was used for primary assay fields
whilst nearest neighbour was used to interpolate index fields. The
attached Figure 7 shows an oblique view of the model coloured by HM
grade.
A fixed
bulk density of 1.7 (t/m3)
was applied to the 2024 Bumamani Mineral Resources model. This bulk
density was selected based on operational experience in the Kwale
Central Dune and Kwale South Dune deposits and because no deposit
bulk density sampling was undertaken.
The
Bumamani deposit, being similar in nature to the Kwale South Dune
deposit recently mined, is amenable to being mined and processed in
the same way by using the existing plant and equipment at the Kwale
Operations: hydraulic mining, spiral concentrator and mineral
separation plant with magnetic, electrostatic and further gravity
separation. Modifications from previous methodology is that the
fine and coarse tailings are partially co-disposed
together.
The
mining, metallurgical and operating cost modifying factors for the
Bumamani deposit have proven to be similar to those derived from
mining the Kwale South Dune deposit, and it is considered that the
Bumamani deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction when evaluated in the context of being part of an active
mining operation and taking into consideration the form,
characteristics and grade of the deposit.
The
criteria used for classification was primarily the drill spacing
(predominantly 100m x 50m at Bumamani) and sample interval
(predominantly 1.5m), with
consideration also given to the continuity of mineral assemblage
information. The ore zones exhibit spatially different
classifications mainly because of differing density of
mineralogical information and variography. An infill drill program
in 2023 for detailed mine planning has increased confidence levels
in the 2024 Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate. The 2024 Bumamani
Mineral Resources estimate used a 1% HM bottom cut because the
economic cut-off grade established by financial modelling is near
to this, and resource estimates for Kwale Operations have
historically been reported at this cut-off grade. The attached
Figure 6 show the distribution of the resource classifications for
Ore Zones 1, 20 and 4 at Bumamani.
The 2024
Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate is constrained to the area
available for short term mining (an operational envelope around the
current mining pit within SML 23 that considers buffer zones and
infrastructure location).
Competent
Persons’ Statements
The
information in this statement that relates to Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves is based on, and fairly represents, information and
supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Persons named in
the table below.
Each
Competent Person:
-
is a
Member or Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy or the Australian Institute of
Geoscientists;
-
has
sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the
activity which they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the JORC Code and as a qualified person for
the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies; and
-
consents
to the inclusion in this statement of the relevant estimate(s)
listed alongside their name in table below in the form and context
in which the estimate and the relevant information are
presented.
Mr
Ian Reudavey has also approved this
statement as a whole.
Mr
Ian Reudavey is employed by Base
Resources and presently holds equity securities in Base
Resources.
Mr
Reudavey is also entitled to participate in Base Resources’
long-term incentive plan and receive equity securities under that
plan.
Mr
Scott Carruthers and Mr Edwin Owino are both employed by Base Titanium,
Base Resources’ wholly owned subsidiary.
Mr
Carruthers and Mr Owino hold equity securities in Base Resources
and are also entitled to participate in Base Resources’ long-term
incentive plan and receive equity securities under that
plan.
Details
about that plan are included in Base Resources’ 2023 Annual
Report.
Name
|
Estimate(s)
|
Employer
|
Ian
Reudavey
|
Kwale
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (overall), Kwale North Dune
Mineral Resources, Ranobe Mineral Resources, Kwale North Dune Ore
Reserves and Bumamani Ore Reserves
|
Base
Resources, full-time employee
|
Scott
Carruthers
|
Ranobe Ore
Reserves
|
Base
Titanium, full-time employee
|
Edwin
Owino
|
Bumamani
Mineral Resources
|
Base
Titanium, full-time employee
|
Forward
looking statements
Certain
statements in or in connection with this statement contain or
comprise forward looking statements. Such
statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with
regard to future production and grades, capital cost, capacity,
sales projections and financial performance and may be (but are not
necessarily) identified by the use of phrases such as “will”,
“expect”, “anticipate”, “believe” and
“envisage”.
By their
nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will
occur in the future and may be outside Base Resources’
control. Accordingly,
results could differ materially from those set out in the
forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors,
changes in economic and market conditions, success of business and
operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and
other government actions, fluctuations in product prices and
exchange rates and business and operational risk management.
Subject
to any continuing obligations under applicable law or relevant
stock exchange listing rules, Base Resources undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
today’s date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
Appendix
1 – Sections 1 to 3 of Table 1 of the JORC Code for 2024 Kwale
North Dune Mineral Resources estimate
Section
1 Sampling Techniques and Data
(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding
sections.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Sampling
techniques
|
Nature
and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or
specific specialised industry standard measurement tools
appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole
gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples
should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of
sampling.
Include
reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the
appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems
used.
Aspects
of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the
Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been
done this would be relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse circulation
drilling was used to obtain 1m samples from which 3kg was
pulverised to produce a 30g charge for fire assay’). In other cases
more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse
gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or
mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant
disclosure of detailed information.
|
RCAC
drilling was used to collect downhole samples for the
project.
For
pre-2023 drilling a rig mounted rotary splitter was used to collect
25% of the downhole sample interval, equating to ~6kg for a 3m
interval and 3kg for a 1.5m interval.
For 2023
drilling the entire 1.5m downhole sample interval (averaging ~10kg)
was collected from which approximately 4kg was obtained via
two-stage riffle splitting.
Of the 590
drill holes used, 73 of them (drilled between 2010 – mid 2012)
utilised 3m sample intervals. The remaining 517 drill holes used
1.5m sample intervals from mid-2012 to 2023.
Duplicate
samples were collected at the splitter for every 20th sample
simultaneously with the original sample.
A
representative grab sample from the sample bags was routinely
washed and panned for lithological logging as well as a visual HM
content estimate.
Samples
were analysed by mineral sands industry standard techniques of
screening, desliming and heavy liquid separation using LST (lithium
heteropolytungstate) or SPT (sodium polytungstate) at SG of
2.85g/cm3.
XRF
analysis of HM magnetic fractions was used to define the mineral
assemblage.
|
Drilling
techniques
|
Drill
type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air
blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter,
triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit
or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method,
etc).
|
73 holes
in the 2010 and 2012/2013 campaigns were drilled with a RCAC Wallis
Mantis 75 drill rig using NQ drill tooling of about 76mm in
diameter and a 3-blade aircore vacuum face sampling bit.
480 holes
in the 2018/19 campaign were drilled with a RCAC Wallis Mantis 80
drill rig, also using NQ drill tooling.
37 holes
in the 2023 campaign were drilled with a RCAC EVH2100 drill rig,
also using NQ drill tooling and a 3-blade aircore vacuum face
sampling bit.
For the
2010 and 2012/13 campaigns, the mast was oriented vertically (90°)
by sight. For the 2018/19 and 2023 drilling campaign, the rig mast
was orientated vertically by spirit level prior to drilling to
adhere to best practice for geological boundary
delineation.
Drilling
was recorded in geological logs as either dry or water injected,
depending on ground conditions. Water injection was typically
employed to assist with penetration through clays/rock and maintain
sample quality and delivery.
|
Drill
sample recovery
|
Method
of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and
results assessed.
Measures
taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature
of the samples.
Whether
a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether
sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of
fine/coarse material.
|
Sample
condition was logged at the rig as either good, moderate or poor,
with good meaning not contaminated and appropriate sample size
(recovery), moderate meaning not contaminated, but sample over or
under sized, and poor meaning contaminated or grossly
over/undersized.
Moist
ground conditions with approximately 35% silt/clay meant that best
sample quality was achieved via slow penetration with water
injection to aid in the sample recovery.
No
relationship is believed to exist between grade and sample
recovery. No bias is also believed to occur due to loss of fine
material.
|
Logging
|
Whether
core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically
logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource
estimation, mining studies and metallurgical
studies.
Whether
logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean,
channel, etc) photography.
The
total length and percentage of the relevant intersections
logged.
|
Field
logging was recorded for all down-hole intervals and was conducted
by the site Geologist as drilling and sampling proceeded. Logging
was based on a representative grab sample that was panned for heavy
mineral estimation and host material observations.
Standardised
logging codes are developed in the logging software (LogChief) to
capture observations on lithology, colour, grainsize, induration
and estimated mineralisation. Any relevant comments e.g., water
table, gangue HM components and stratigraphic markers were included
to aid in the subsequent geological modelling.
A
qualitative estimate of how representative a sample was of the
drilled interval was recorded by Base Titanium field geologists
whilst logging.
Heavy
mineral sinks from assayed samples were logged routinely under a
reflected-light, stereoscopic microscope. This work was carried out
to capture information relating to VHM content, mineralogy, HM
grainsize and quality.
The
logging is of sufficient detail to support Mineral Resource
estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.
|
Sub-sampling
techniques and sample preparation
|
If
core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core
taken.
If
non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and
whether sampled wet or dry.
For
all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the
sample preparation technique.
Quality
control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise
representivity of samples.
Measures
taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ
material collected, including for instance results for field
duplicate/second-half sampling.
Whether
sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material
being sampled.
|
For
pre-2023 drilling, approximately 25% of the sample interval was
rotary split at the sampling cyclone on the rig.
For 2023
drilling the entire sample interval was collected mostly wet and
bagged on site in polyweave bags with internal plastic lining to
avoid loss of slimes. Following air drying of excess moisture an
approximate 25% split of the drilled sample interval was collected
via riffle splitting.
The split
sample was processed in a dedicated sample preparation facility
that follows conventional mineral sands processes. Samples were
air-dried when weather permitted, otherwise oven dried during wet
weather.
After
drying, the sample was rotary split to produce a ~200-400g sample
for analytical work.
The
remaining drill sample material was combined and split down to
~2-3kgs for storage as a reference sample.
The
analytical split sample was wet screened using 45 µm and 1 mm
sieves, to generate oversize and sand fractions, with slimes lost
during screening and calculated by difference.
Improvements
to the sample preparation stage were made in 2017 to ensure
industry best practice and to deliver a high degree of confidence
in the results. These included the following:
-
A
formalised process flow was generated, posted in all sample
preparation areas and used to train and monitor sample preparation
staff.
-
Regular
monitoring was completed by Base Titanium senior staff.
-
Field
samples were left in their bags for initial air-drying to avoid
sample loss.
-
Tetrasodium
pyrophosphate (TSPP)
was introduced to decrease attrition time and improve slimes
recovery. A range of attrition times (with 5% TSPP) were trialled
and plotted against slimes recovery figures to determine optimum
attrition time (15 minutes).
-
Staff were
trained to use paint brushes and water spray rather than manipulate
sample through slimes screen by hand to remove the potential for
screen damage.
-
A
calibration schedule was introduced for scales used in the sample
preparation stage.
-
The
introduction of LIMS software allowed the capture of sample
preparation data digitally at inception and synchronisation in
real-time to the master Kwale Operations Laboratory SQL
database.
-
Slimes
screen numbers are recorded to isolate batches should re-assay be
required due to poor adherence to procedure or to identify screen
damage.
-
Duplicate
samples were collected at every 20th sample and assessed regularly
to ensure representivity was achieved.
-
The drill
rods and cyclone were routinely cleaned between holes using
pressurised water to avoid inter-hole contamination.
The sample
preparation flow sheet follows conventional mineral sands processes
but departed from standard mineral sand practices in one respect;
the samples were generally not oven-dried before de-sliming to
prevent clay minerals baking onto the HM grains (because the HM
fractions were to be used in further analysis).
Instead, a
separate sample was split and dried to determine moisture content,
which was accounted for mathematically.
QA/QC
procedures involved the following:
•
Prepared
duplicate split samples were processed at every 20th
sample.
•
Prepared
repeat samples were processed at every 7th sample.
•
The manual
hard-copy sample preparation records were maintained in files in
the event of cross-references due to identified scribing errors in
LIMS software.
The sample
size is considered appropriate for the grain size of the material
because the grade of HM is measured in per cent.
|
Quality
of assay data and laboratory tests
|
The
nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory
procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or
total.
For
geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc,
the parameters used in determining the analysis including
instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors
applied and their derivation, etc.
Nature
of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks,
duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable
levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been
established.
|
The assay
process employed included a Sample Preparation stage, completed by
Base Titanium staff, followed by a heavy liquid separation (using
lithium polytungstate or sodium polytungstate) at SG =
2.85g/cm3),
completed at Kwale Operations’ site laboratory.
The
assaying and laboratory procedures used are considered to follow
industry best practice and the technique is considered as a total
analysis.
The dried,
deslimed processed samples were submitted to the Kwale Operations
laboratory with the following approach adopted.
All
samples were dried and weighed.
Sand
fraction was processed by heavy liquid separation to generate a HM
fraction.
HM
fraction subject to magnetic separation on a roll magnet to
generate a magnetic (Mag) fraction, mids (Mid) and non-magnetic
(NonMag) fraction.
For 2023
drilling the HM fraction from individual samples was submitted for
magnetic separation, whereas for pre-2023 drilling composite
samples of HM from geological domains were submitted for magnetic
separation.
XRF
analysis of magnetic fractions was completed with the data used to
model the mineralogy using the Company’s internally developed
algorithms (MinModel).
The
proprietary MinModel mineralogy technique, developed and employed
by Base Resources, comprises an XRF analysis of the magnetic and
non-magnetic fractions of each composite or sample, the results
from which are then back-calculated to determine in-ground
mineralogy. MinModel has been validated by external quantitative
analysis (QEMSCAN and EDX) and is considered sufficiently certified
to support quoted resource confidence in this report.
Various
quality control samples were submitted routinely to assure assay
quality. A total of 835 duplicate field samples, 835 lab duplicate
sample preparation samples, 294 field certified standard samples,
and an unspecified number of internal laboratory standards, repeats
and blanks have been assayed at Kwale Operations’ site
laboratory.
Acceptable
levels of accuracy and precision have been established.
|
Verification
of sampling and assaying
|
The
verification of significant intersections by either independent or
alternative company personnel.
The
use of twinned holes.
Documentation
of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data
storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
Discuss
any adjustment to assay data.
|
The Kwale
North Dune deposit is a moderate to low HM grade, dunal-style
accumulation that does not carry excessive mineralisation or suffer
from ‘nugget’ effects, typical of other commodities.
No
external audit validation was completed for the HM analyses
included in the Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources estimate. This
is not considered material given the adequate performance of
results from extensive QA/QC verification and on account of low HM
grade variance and deposit homogeneity.
A twin
drill hole procedure was introduced for the 2018/19 program at a
recommended rate of 5% of the total number of holes. These twins
were used to quantify short-range variability in geological
character and grade intersections, and were completed at
appropriate spacing across the deposit. A total of 41 twin drill
holes were completed during the 2018/19 Kwale North Dune drilling
program, which represents about 5.7% of the total program. The twin
hole paired data showed very good correlation, providing support to
the integrity/quality of the resource data.
Drill hole
logging and site sample data were collected electronically in
Maxwell LogChief software, installed on field Panasonic Tough pads
that synchronise directly to the Datashed database. Assay data is
captured electronically via LIMS software and merged with logging
and sample data in the Datashed database.
No
adjustment to assay data was made.
|
Location
of data points
|
Accuracy
and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and
down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations
used in Mineral Resource estimation.
Specification
of the grid system used.
Quality
and adequacy of topographic control.
|
Proposed
drill holes were sited on the ground using hand-held Garmin GPS
units with an accuracy of ~ 3m.
After
drilling, the mine surveyors picked collar positions via a
differential global positioning system DGPS RTK unit registered to
local base stations.
The
accuracy of the RTK unit is stated at 0.02m in the X, Y and Z
axes.
The survey
Geodetic datum utilised was UTM Arc 1960, used in East Africa. Arc
1960 references the Clark 1880 (RGS) ellipsoid and the Greenwich
prime meridian. All survey data used in the Kwale North Dune
Mineral Resources estimate dataset has undergone a transformation
to the local mine grid from the standard UTM Zone 37S (Arc 1960).
The local Grid was rotated 42.5°, which aligns the average strike
of the deposit with local North and is useful for both grade
interpolation and mining reference during production.
All drill
collars were projected to the local LIDAR survey, DTM, captured
over the resource area in 2018/19 at a 2x2m grid spacing. This was
performed prior to interpretation and model construction to
eliminate any elevation disparities for the block model
construction.
|
Data
spacing and distribution
|
Data
spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
Whether
the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the
degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the
Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and
classifications applied.
Whether
sample compositing has been applied.
|
The drill
data spacing for the 2018/19 Kwale North Dune drilling established
a nominal 100m X, 100m Y and 1.5m Z over the broader deposit.
Variations from this spacing resulted from terrain/traverse
difficulties and ground access.
The 2023
Kwale North Dune drilling targeted 50m X, 100m Y and 1.5m Z drill
data spacing over areas identified for potential mining and is
considered as grade control drilling.
A downhole
sample interval of 3m, with occasional 1.5m intervals at geological
contacts, was employed in the 2012/2013 drilling campaign by Base
Titanium.
A 1.5m,
down-hole block size was applied to model construction and for
consistency in the interpolation processes.
This
spacing and distribution is considered sufficient to establish the
degree of geological and mineralisation continuity appropriate for
the resource estimation procedures and classifications
applied.
No sample
compositing has been applied for HM, slimes and oversize in the
interpolation processes. Pre-2023 drilling used compositing for
mineralogical samples, with composites constrained to geological
domains and typically limited to 6m downhole.
|
Orientation
of data in relation to geological structure
|
Whether
the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible
structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the
deposit type.
If the
relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation
of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a
sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if
material.
|
With the
geological setting being a layered dunal/fluviatile sequence, the
orientation of the deposit mineralisation in general is
sub-horizontal. All drill holes were orientated vertically to
penetrate the sub-horizontal mineralisation
orthogonally.
Hole
centres were spaced nominally at 100m. This cross-profiles the dune
so that variation can be determined. Down hole intervals were
nominated as 1.5m. This provides adequate sampling resolution to
capture the distribution and variability of geology units and
mineralisation encountered vertically down hole.
The
orientation of the drilling is considered appropriate for testing
the horizontal and vertical extent of mineralisation without
bias.
|
Sample
security
|
The
measures taken to ensure sample security.
|
Drill
samples were transported daily from site to the secure sample
preparation facility by company personnel.
Sample
residues from the preparation stage were transferred to pallets and
stored in a locked shed beside the warehouse at Kwale
Operations.
Residues
from the Kwale Operations site laboratory were placed in labelled
bags and stored in numbered boxes. Boxes were placed into a locked
container beside the laboratory.
Sample
tables are housed on a secure, network-hosted SQL database.
Administration privileges are limited to two Base Titanium staff:
Exploration Superintendent and the Business Applications
Administrator.
Data is
backed up every 12 hours and stored in perpetuity on a secure, site
backup server.
|
Audits
or reviews
|
The
results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and
data.
|
Historical
audits and reviews of sampling techniques have been completed at
Kwale Operations by industry consultants, and internal reviews by
Base Resources’ Exploration and Resource Manager were completed
during the drilling campaigns.
|
Section
2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria
listed in the preceding section also apply to this
section.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Mineral
tenement and land tenure status
|
Type,
reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements
or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures,
partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests,
historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental
settings.
The
security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any
known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the
area.
|
The Kwale
North Dune deposit extends across SML 23 and prospecting licence PL
2018/0119 which are both 100% held by Base Titanium, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Base Resources. The resource being reported lies
wholly within SML 23.
SML 23 was
extended in June 2022 to cover the Kwale North Dune and Bumamani
Ore Reserves and expires in June 2025. SML 23 is in good standing
with the State Department for Mining and expires on 30 June
2025.
Local
landowners are generally supportive of exploration and mining
activities with established community relations and development
programs in place.
|
Exploration
done by other parties
|
Acknowledgment
and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
|
In 1996,
Tiomin carried out reconnaissance surface and hand-auger sampling.
Following the encouraging results obtained, mud-rotary drilling was
undertaken in 1997 and 37 holes for a total of 1,824m was achieved
for the Kwale North Dune, at 3m sampling intervals.
Prior to
the acquisition of the Kwale Project by Base Resources, Tiomin
prepared and published a North Dune Mineral Resources estimate of
116 Mt @ 2.1% HM using a 0.5% HM cut-off grade.
The
current resource model omits the Tiomin data. This followed a twin
drilling analysis of the Tiomin Mud Rotary holes with Base Titanium
RCAC to determine relevance of historical data to the Kwale South
Dune Mineral Resources estimate in 2016. A total of 18 twin-hole
pairs from a geographically dispersed area within the Kwale South
Dune were included for analysis. A very poor correlation in HM
values between the two methods (R2 = 0.1522) resulted from the
study, and it is assumed that the poor correlation would also
extend to the Kwale North Dune.
|
Geology
|
Deposit
type, geological setting, and style of
mineralisation.
|
The Kwale
North Dune is part of the extensive Kwale Dune systems comprising
of reddish, windblown Margarini sand formations that overlie a
sequence of variably mineralised clay-rich fluviatile units, which
in turn overlie a Mesozoic sandstone base, known as the Mazeras
formation. All formations are locally enriched in HM, with the VHM
suite dominated by ilmenite with lesser rutile and
zircon.
These
three units are separated by lateritic paleo-surfaces which signify
a time-gap between the geological formations.
The
Mazeras Sandstone, derived from the disintegration of the
Mozambique Belt metamorphic rocks, has likely provided the supply
of heavy minerals to the Margarini sand dunes and the fluviatile
formations.
|
Drill
hole Information
|
A
summary of all information material to the understanding of the
exploration results including a tabulation of the following
information for all Material drill holes:
easting
and northing of the drill hole collar
elevation
or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of the
drill hole collar
dip
and azimuth of the hole
down
hole length and interception depth
hole
length.
If the
exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the
information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract
from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should
clearly explain why this is the case.
|
Drilling
by year used for the resource model build was as
follows:
2010
-
11 drill
holes (depth: max 72m, min 24m, average 53m).
-
Total 582m
drilled.
2012
-
24 drill
holes (depth: max 75m, min 27m, average 60m).
-
Total
1,449m drilled.
2013
-
38 drill
holes (depth: max 75m, min 27m, average 50m).
-
Total
1,911m drilled.
2018
-
473 drill
holes (depth: max 117m, min 9m, average 38 m).
-
Total
18,045m drilled.
2019
-
7 drill
holes (depth: max 21m, min 9m, average 16m).
-
Total 114m
drilled.
2023
-
37 drill
holes (depth: max 30m, min 9m, average 21m).
-
Total 759m
drilled.
See drill
hole location plan in Figure 3 attached.
All drill
holes were drilled vertically.
All
collars were projected to the LIDAR topographical
surface.
A
tabulation of material drill holes is not included as exploration
results are not being reported.
|
Data
aggregation methods
|
In
reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques,
maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high
grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be
stated.
Where
aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade
results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used
for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of
such aggregations should be shown in detail.
The
assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values
should be clearly stated.
|
Exploration
results are not being reported.
No metal
equivalent values were used.
No
aggregation of short length samples used as samples were
consistently 3m and 1.5m intervals.
|
Relationship
between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths
|
These
relationships are particularly important in the reporting of
Exploration Results.
If the
geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle
is known, its nature should be reported.
If it
is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there
should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. ‘down hole length,
true width not known’).
|
The
deposit sequences are sub-horizontal, and the vertically inclined
holes are a fair representation of true thickness.
|
Diagrams
|
Appropriate
maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts
should be included for any significant discovery being reported
These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill
hole collar locations and appropriate sectional
views.
|
See
attached Figures 2 and 3.
|
Balanced
reporting
|
Where
comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not
practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades
and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of
Exploration Results.
|
Exploration
results are not being reported.
|
Other
substantive exploration data
|
Other
exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported
including (but not limited to): geological observations;
geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk
samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results;
bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics;
potential deleterious or contaminating substances.
|
The Kwale
North Dune deposit contains higher levels of slimes than the
deposits previously mined at Kwale Operations, and also a thicker
sequence of Ore Zone 4. These characteristics can be mitigated by
mining North Dune concurrently with other deposits to provide a
blended feed to the processing plants.
|
Further
work
|
The
nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral
extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out
drilling).
Diagrams
clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including
the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas,
provided this information is not commercially
sensitive.
|
No further
work is recommended or planned as the deposit is currently being
mined and, with the planned cessation of mining activities at Kwale
Operations in December 2024 following the depletion of existing Ore
Reserves, there are no potential mine extensions that have not
already been identified and assessed.
|
Section
3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources
(Criteria
listed in section 1, and where relevant in section 2, also apply to
this section.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Database
integrity
|
Measures
taken to ensure that data has not been corrupted by, for example,
transcription or keying errors, between its initial collection and
its use for Mineral Resource estimation purposes.
Data
validation procedures used.
|
Field data
was captured in LogChief logging application and automatically
validated through reference to pre-set library table
configurations. Typing or logging code errors, duplication of key
identifiers (e.g., HOLE_ID, SAMP_ID) and conflicts in related
tables (e.g., down-hole depth) are quarantined by the software and
require resolution immediately before logging can
proceed.
The SQL
Database also has identical automated validation features. Data
import is unsuccessful until these data issues are
resolved.
Field
logging and survey data from the SQL database were imported into
Datamine Studio RM for sectional interpretation.
Validation
steps included a visual interrogation of collar versus geology
depths, a review of hole locations against the drilling plan and a
check for missing or duplicated logged fields and outliers. Any
spurious or questionable entries were resolved by the supervising
Geologist.
A field
diary was utilised by the site Geologist to record the hole name,
date, depth, number of samples, time of start and finish, a
description of the location of the hole in relation to the previous
hole and other relative observations. Such a diary provides
valuable evidence if there is an error in hole naming or
surveying.
A
geologist was employed to manage digital data capture at the sample
preparation laboratory to reduce the potential for data entry error
by unskilled labourers. A number of validation checks were made of
sample preparation data to ensure accurate data entry and
application of correct procedure by Base Titanium staff. This
included:
-
comparison
of pre-versus post-oven weights;
-
comparison
of split weight versus de-slimed weight;
-
comparison
of split weight versus field sample weight; and
-
all sample
preparation data were sorted by each individual field and outliers
investigated
Assay
results were delivered via email in 45 sample batches from Kwale
Operations’ site laboratory. These were in the form of CSV text
files and imported by batch number directly into the SQL database
tables where pre-set algorithms converted weights to percentages
and removed the moisture content. The calculated assay results were
then checked manually for missing records and out of range or
unrealistic values.
|
Site
visits
|
Comment
on any site visits undertaken by the Competent Person and the
outcome of those visits.
If no
site visits have been undertaken indicate why this is the
case.
|
The
Competent Person, Base Resources’ Exploration and Resources
Manager, Mr. Ian Reudavey, was based at Kwale Operations during
2023 and 2024. The Competent Person is satisfied with the integrity
of the database as well as the delineation of the geological
boundaries having observed mining at Kwale North Dune.
|
Geological
interpretation
|
Confidence
in (or conversely, the uncertainty of) the geological
interpretation of the mineral deposit.
Nature
of the data used and of any assumptions made.
The
effect, if any, of alternative interpretations on Mineral Resource
estimation.
The
use of geology in guiding and controlling Mineral Resource
estimation.
The
factors affecting continuity both of grade and
geology.
|
The
original geological interpretation was undertaken by the Base
Titanium Exploration Superintendent using field logs and
observations, assays, HM sink logs, XRF oxide chemistry and
mineralogy data. The oversize grades were particularly useful in
determining the lateritic paleo-surfaces between the geological
zones. Interpretations were revised and updated by the Competent
Person.
The data
spacing for the project is considered sufficient for grade and
mineralogical continuity.
Three
mineralised geological zones and a basement zone were identified
and are used as constraints in the Mineral Resources
estimation.
The
uppermost zone at the Kwale North Dune deposit, referred to as Ore
Zone 1, is a dark brown, predominantly fine grained, well sorted
silty sand with very little induration. It is also characterised by
a clean, high value heavy mineral assemblage.
Ore Zone 4
lies below Ore Zone 1 with a clear lateritic boundary observed in
the field with slightly difficult bit penetration, and in HM sink
logs, exhibiting elevated iron oxides. Ore Zone 4 is lower in
valuable heavy mineral content, often dominated by iron oxides and
Al2SiO5
polymorphs
(kyanite, andalusite and sillimanite). It is considered a fluvial
deposit based on the difficulty of wash and the poor grain
sorting.
Ore Zone 5
lies below Ore Zone 4 and is separated from that zone by a
lateritic paleo-surface. It is unique mineralogically due to an
increased amount of almandine garnet that reports to the mag
fraction, significantly increasing the magnesium, manganese,
aluminium and silicon in the oxide chemistry, and this is also
reflected in QEMSCAN mineralogy.
For Ore
Zones 1, 4 and 5, a strong correlation between the field logs, HM
sink logs and XRF oxide chemistry and QEMSCAN mineralogy gives
confidence to these interpretations.
The grade
and mineralogy continuity is abruptly truncated at the western edge
by an interpreted normal fault that pushed basement material to the
surface. Grade and geological continuity for Ore Zone 1 and 4 can
be impacted by erosion and the formation of a dendritic drainage
pattern shedding to the east.
|
Dimensions
|
The
extent and variability of the Mineral Resource expressed as length
(along strike or otherwise), plan width, and depth below surface to
the upper and lower limits of the Mineral Resource.
|
The Kwale
North Dune Mineral Resources estimate is approximately 1,800m along
strike and about 700m across strike on average.
The
typical thickness of Ore Zone 1, Ore Zone 4 and Ore Zone 5 is
approximately 8m, 10m and 8m, respectively.
|
Estimation
and modelling techniques
|
The
nature and appropriateness of the estimation technique(s) applied
and key assumptions, including treatment of extreme grade values,
domaining, interpolation parameters and maximum distance of
extrapolation from data points. If a computer assisted estimation
method was chosen include a description of computer software and
parameters used.
The
availability of check estimates, previous estimates and/or mine
production records and whether the Mineral Resource estimate takes
appropriate account of such data.
The
assumptions made regarding recovery of by-products.
Estimation
of deleterious elements or other non-grade variables of economic
significance (e.g., sulphur for acid mine drainage
characterisation).
In the
case of block model interpolation, the block size in relation to
the average sample spacing and the search employed.
Any
assumptions behind modelling of selective mining
units.
Any
assumptions about correlation between variables.
Description
of how the geological interpretation was used to control the
resource estimates.
Discussion
of basis for using or not using grade cutting or
capping.
The
process of validation, the checking process used, the comparison of
model data to drill hole data, and use of reconciliation data if
available.
|
The Kwale
North Dune Mineral Resources estimation was undertaken using
Datamine Studio RM software. The estimation techniques used were
based upon revision and modification (as required) of parameters
developed during previous modelling of the Kwale North Dune
deposit.
Interpolation
was constrained within the geological domains and utilised search
ellipse dimensions developed from variography, with a dynamic
ellipse orientation controlled by strike and dip trend points of
the geological domain.
Inverse
Distance Weighting to the power of three was used to interpolate
assay grades (HM, Slimes, Oversize, Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon)
from the drill hole file. Nearest Neighbour was used to interpolate
the logged hardness, mineralogy composite ID and mineralogy
chemistry data.
This
resource estimate has been constrained to a designated mining area
within SML 23, as the area outside of the current operational
envelope is no longer considered to have prospects for eventual
economic extraction, given the absence of mining tenure, the
planned closure of Kwale Operations, the low HM grade, high slimes
content, lack of capacity for slimes tailings storage and high cost
and timeframes of land acquisition.
Mining
commenced at Kwale North Dune in February 2023, and while
successfully producing HM, there have been challenges with
hydraulic mining of high clay material in Ore Zone 4 and Ore Zone
5. Given that Ore Zone 5 also has a low VHM content and poor HM
quality, it has now been excluded from the mineral resource as it
has proven uneconomical to extract.
No
assumptions have been made as to the recovery of
by-products.
The parent
cell size used in the grade interpolation (50m x 50m) was half the
average drill hole spacing on the X and Y axes, which was 100m x
100m. The vertical thickness of the cell was the nominal average
drill sample interval i.e., 1.5m.
No
assumptions were made behind modelling of selected mining
units.
No
assumptions were made about correlation between
variables.
No grade
cutting or capping has been applied as the HM grade is typically
quite low at Kwale North Dune and the higher-grade assays present
have been shown to have continuity along a geological feature from
infill drilling data.
Validation
was undertaken by swathe plots, population distribution analysis
and visual inspection.
|
Moisture
|
Whether
the tonnages are estimated on a dry basis or with natural moisture,
and the method of determination of the moisture
content
|
The
Mineral Resources estimate is on a dry tonnes basis.
|
Cut-off parameters
|
The
basis of the adopted cut-off grade(s) or quality parameters
applied.
|
The
economic cut-off of Kwale Operations is between 1% and 1.5% HM
dependent upon mineral assemblage and product prices, and
historically Kwale Operations Mineral Resources estimate reporting
has used a 1% HM cut-off grade.
|
Mining
factors or assumptions
|
Assumptions
made regarding possible mining methods, minimum mining dimensions
and internal (or, if applicable, external) mining dilution. It is
always necessary as part of the process of determining reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction to consider potential
mining methods, but the assumptions made regarding mining methods
and parameters when estimating Mineral Resources may not always be
rigorous. Where this is the case, this should be reported with an
explanation of the basis of the mining assumptions
made.
|
The
hydraulic mining method currently used at Kwale Operations is also
being used at Kwale North Dune. The high slime content and
generally low levels of induration in the Kwale North Dune deposit
provide support for this mining method, but the presence of
compacted clay has necessitated the use of higher-pressure water
guns and some mechanical mining assistance.
Based on
the operational experience to date the Competent Person considers
there are no mining factors which are likely to affect the
assumption that the deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction.
|
Metallurgical
factors or assumptions
|
The
basis for assumptions or predictions regarding metallurgical
amenability. It is always necessary as part of the process of
determining reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction
to consider potential metallurgical methods, but the assumptions
regarding metallurgical treatment processes and parameters made
when reporting Mineral Resources may not always be rigorous. Where
this is the case, this should be reported with an explanation of
the basis of the metallurgical assumptions made.
|
The
existing concentrator, modified to accommodate the increased
slimes, and mineral separation plant at Kwale Operations have
proven capable of processing the Kwale North Dune material with
recoveries achieving ranges aligned with historical
production.
Based on
the operational experience to date the Competent Person considers
there are no metallurgical factors which are likely to affect the
assumption that the deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction.
|
Environmental
factors or assumptions
|
Assumptions
made regarding possible waste and process residue disposal options.
It is always necessary as part of the process of determining
reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction to consider
the potential environmental impacts of the mining and processing
operation. While at this stage the determination of potential
environmental impacts, particularly for a greenfields project, may
not always be well advanced, the status of early consideration of
these potential environmental impacts should be reported. Where
these aspects have not been considered this should be reported with
an explanation of the environmental assumptions
made.
|
Environmental
factors for Kwale North Dune are well established and managed as
they form a continuation of the current operational plan. The
Competent Person considers there are no environmental factors which
are likely to affect the assumption that the deposit has reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction.
Course
tailings are deposited in the mined out pit voids of both the Kwale
Central Dune and Kwale North Dune before being capped with a layer
of co-disposed of fine and coarse tails as the first step in
rehabilitation of these areas. The excess fine tails not used for
co-disposal are deposited in the site tailings storage
facility.
|
Bulk
density
|
Whether
assumed or determined. If assumed, the basis for the assumptions.
If determined, the method used, whether wet or dry, the frequency
of the measurements, the nature, size and representativeness of the
samples.
The
bulk density for bulk material must have been measured by methods
that adequately account for void spaces (vugs, porosity, etc),
moisture and differences between rock and alteration zones within
the deposit.
Discuss
assumptions for bulk density estimates used in the evaluation
process of the different materials.
|
A fixed
dry bulk density of 1.7 (t/m3)
was assumed for the Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources estimate,
based on operational experience of mining the Kwale Central Dune,
Kwale South Dune and Kwale North Dune deposits and the difficulty
in developing a bulk density formula to account for all material
types.
Ongoing
production reconciliation has shown this to be a reasonable
assumption and more reliable than bulk density
algorithms.
|
Classification
|
The
basis for the classification of the Mineral Resources into varying
confidence categories.
Whether
appropriate account has been taken of all relevant factors (i.e.,
relative confidence in tonnage/grade estimations, reliability of
input data, confidence in continuity of geology and metal values,
quality, quantity and distribution of the data).
Whether
the result appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s view of
the deposit.
|
The
Mineral Resources classification for the Kwale North Dune deposit
was based on drill hole spacing, sample interval and the
distribution and influence of composite mineralogical
samples.
The
classification of the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral
Resources was supported by the uniform grid spacing of drilling,
uncomplicated and consistent geology, relatively good continuity of
mineralisation particularly along strike (and supported by the
domain controlled variography), confidence in the down hole
drilling data and supporting criteria as noted above.
As
Competent Person, Base Resources Exploration and Resources Manager,
Mr. Ian Reudavey, considers that the result appropriately reflects
a reasonable view of the deposit categorisation.
|
Audits
or reviews.
|
The
results of any audits or reviews of Mineral Resource
estimates.
|
No audits
or reviews of this Mineral Resource estimate have been undertaken.
However, it represents an update of an existing Mineral Resource
that was initially completed by independent consultants and was
subject to internal review, and implements recommendations from
that review. Kwale North Dune is also currently being mined which
represents the ultimate test of a Mineral Resource
estimate.
|
Discussion
of relative accuracy/ confidence
|
Where
appropriate a statement of the relative accuracy and confidence
level in the Mineral Resource estimate using an approach or
procedure deemed appropriate by the Competent Person. For example,
the application of statistical or geostatistical procedures to
quantify the relative accuracy of the resource within stated
confidence limits, or, if such an approach is not deemed
appropriate, a qualitative discussion of the factors that could
affect the relative accuracy and confidence of the
estimate.
The
statement should specify whether it relates to global or local
estimates, and, if local, state the relevant tonnages, which should
be relevant to technical and economic evaluation. Documentation
should include assumptions made and the procedures
used.
These
statements of relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate
should be compared with production data, where
available.
|
Variography
was undertaken to determine the drill hole support of the selected
JORC Code classification.
Validation
of the model vs drill hole grades by direct observation and
comparison of the results on screen.
The
resource statement is a global estimate for the entire known extent
of the Kwale North Dune deposit within the designated mining area
of SML 23.
Production
data shows reasonable correlation with the resource
estimate.
|
Appendix
2 – Sections 1 to 3 of Table 1 of the JORC Code for the 2024
Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate
Section
1 Sampling Techniques and Data
(Criteria
in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Sampling
techniques
|
Nature
and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or
specific specialised industry standard measurement tools
appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole
gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples
should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of
sampling.
Include
reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the
appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems
used.
Aspects
of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the
Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been
done this would be relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse circulation
drilling was used to obtain 1m samples from which 3kg was
pulverised to produce a 30g charge for fire assay’). In other cases
more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse
gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or
mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant
disclosure of detailed information.
|
RCAC
drilling was used to collect downhole samples for the
project.
For 2017
and 2018 drilling a rig mounted rotary splitter was used to collect
25% of the 1.5m downhole sample interval, equating to
~2.5kg.
For 2023
drilling the entire 1.5m downhole sample interval (averaging ~10kg)
was collected from which approximately 4kg was obtained via
two-stage riffle splitting.
Duplicate
samples were collected at the splitter for every 20th sample
simultaneously with the original sample.
A
representative grab sample from the sample bags was routinely
washed and panned for lithological logging as well as visual HM
content estimate.
Samples
were analysed by mineral sands industry-standard techniques of
screening, de-sliming and heavy liquid separation using SPT (sodium
polytungstate) at SG of 2.85g/cm3.
XRF
analysis of HM magnetic fractions was used to define the mineral
assemblage.
|
Drilling
techniques
|
Drill
type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air
blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter,
triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit
or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method,
etc).
|
173 holes
in the 2017 and 2018 campaigns were drilled with a Wallis Mantis 80
RCAC drill rig using NQ drill tooling of about 76mm diameter and a
3-blade aircore vacuum face sampling bit.
58 holes
in the 2023 campaign were drilled with an EVH2100 RCAC rig using
Remet rods with an outside diameter of about 75mm and a 3-blade
aircore vacuum face sampling bit.
12
mechanised auger holes in the 2024 campaign were completed
immediately west of the Bumamani deposit with a GY-150 engineering
rig using 152mm auger bits. Although drilled for reconnaissance
purposes, these holes were incorporated into the estimation
database where significant gaps in aircore drilling
occurred.
For all
drilling campaigns, the rig mast was orientated vertically by
spirit level before drilling, to adhere to best practices for
geological boundary delineation.
Drilling
was recorded in geological logs as either dry or water-injected
depending on ground conditions.
Water
injection was employed to assist with penetration through
silty/clayey formations to maintain sample quality and
delivery.
|
Drill
sample recovery
|
Method
of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and
results assessed.
Measures
taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature
of the samples.
Whether
a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether
sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of
fine/coarse material.
|
Sample
condition was logged at the rig as either good, moderate or poor,
with good meaning not contaminated and appropriate sample size
(recovery), moderate meaning not contaminated, but sample over or
undersized and poor meaning contaminated or grossly
over/undersized.
Ground
conditions of slightly damp silty sands meant the best sample
quality was achieved through slow penetration with water injection
to aid in the sample recovery.
No
relationship is believed to exist between grade and sample
recovery. No bias is also believed to occur due to the loss of fine
material.
|
Logging
|
Whether
core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically
logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource
estimation, mining studies and metallurgical
studies.
Whether
logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean,
channel, etc) photography.
The
total length and percentage of the relevant intersections
logged.
|
Field
logging was recorded for all 3,987 fixed, down-hole intervals and
was conducted by the site Geologist as drilling and sampling
proceeded. Logging was based on a representative grab sample that
was panned for host material observations and heavy mineral
estimation.
Standardised
logging codes were developed in the logging software (LogChief) to
capture observations on lithology, colour, grain size, induration,
and estimated HM. Any relevant comments e.g., water table, gangue
HM components and stratigraphic markers were included to aid in the
subsequent geological modelling.
A
qualitative estimate of how representative a sample was of the
drilled interval was recorded by Base Titanium field geologists
whilst logging.
Heavy
mineral sinks from assayed samples were logged routinely under a
reflected-light, stereoscopic microscope. This work was carried out
to capture information relating to VHM content, mineralogy, HM
grainsize and quality.
The
logging is of sufficient detail to support Mineral Resource
estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.
|
Sub-sampling
techniques and sample preparation
|
If
core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core
taken.
If
non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and
whether sampled wet or dry.
For
all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the
sample preparation technique.
Quality
control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise
representivity of samples.
Measures
taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ
material collected, including for instance results for field
duplicate/second-half sampling.
Whether
sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material
being sampled.
|
For the
2017/2018 drilling, approximately 25% of the sample interval was
rotary split at the sampling cyclone on the rig.
For the
2023 aircore and 2024 auger drilling, the entire sample interval
was collected mostly wet and bagged on-site in polyweave bags with
internal plastic lining to avoid loss of slimes. Following air
drying of excess moisture, an approximate 25% split (~5kg) of the
drilled material was collected via riffle splitting.
The split
sample was processed in a dedicated sample preparation facility
that follows conventional mineral sands processes. Samples were
air-dried when weather permitted, otherwise they were oven-dried
during wet weather. After drying, the sample was rotary split to
produce a ~200-400g sample for analytical work. The remaining drill
sample material was combined and split down to ~2-3kgs for storage
as a reference sample.
The
analytical split sample was wet screened using 45 µm and 1 mm
sieves, to generate oversize and sand fractions, with slimes lost
during screening and calculated by difference.
The sample
preparation stage aligns with industry best practice to deliver a
high degree of confidence in the results.
Steps
include the following:
-
A
formalised process flow is posted in all sample preparation areas
and used to train and monitor sample preparation staff.
-
Regular
monitoring is completed by Base Titanium senior
staff.
-
Field
samples are left in their bags for initial air-drying to avoid
sample loss.
-
TSPP
dispersant is utilised to decrease attrition time (to 15 minutes)
and improve slimes recovery.
-
Staff are
trained to use paint brushes and water spray rather than manipulate
samples through the screen by hand to remove the potential for
screen damage.
-
A
calibration schedule is utilised for scales used in the sample
preparation stage.
-
The
introduction of LIMS software allows the capture of sample
preparation data digitally at inception and synchronisation in
real-time to the master Kwale Laboratory SQL database.
-
Slimes
screen numbers are recorded to isolate batches should re-assay be
required due to poor adherence to procedure or to identify screen
damage.
-
Duplicate
samples were collected at every 20th sample and assessed regularly
to ensure representivity was achieved.
The drill
rods and cyclone were routinely cleaned between holes using
pressurised water to avoid inter-hole contamination. The sample
preparation flow sheet follows conventional mineral sands processes
but departed from standard mineral sand practices in one respect;
the samples were generally not oven-dried before de-sliming to
prevent clay minerals baking onto the HM grains (because the HM
fractions were to be used in further analysis).
Instead, a
separate sample was split and dried to determine moisture content,
which was accounted for mathematically.
QA/QC
procedures involved the following:
-
Prepared
duplicate split samples were processed at every 20th
sample.
-
Prepared
repeat samples were processed at every 7th sample.
-
The manual
hard-copy sample preparation records were maintained in files in
the event of cross-references due to identified scribing errors in
LIMS software.
The sample
size is considered appropriate for the grain size of the material
because the grade of HM is measured in per cent.
|
Quality
of assay data and laboratory tests
|
The
nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory
procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or
total.
For
geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc,
the parameters used in determining the analysis including
instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors
applied and their derivation, etc.
Nature
of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks,
duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable
levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been
established.
|
The assay
process employed included a Sample Preparation stage, completed by
Base Titanium staff, followed by a heavy liquid separation (using
sodium polytungstate) at SG = 2.85g/cm3),
completed at Kwale Operations’ site laboratory.
The
assaying and laboratory procedures used are considered to follow
industry best practice and the technique is considered as a total
analysis.
The dried,
deslimed processed samples were submitted to the Kwale Operations
laboratory with the following approach adopted.
All
samples were dried and weighed.
Sand
fraction was processed by SPT heavy liquid separation to generate a
HM fraction.
The HM
fraction was subject to magnetic separation on a roll magnet to
generate a magnetic (Mag) fraction and a non-magnetic (non-Mag)
fraction.
XRF
analysis of magnetic fractions was completed with the data used to
model the mineralogy using the Company’s internally developed
algorithms (MinModel).
The
proprietary MinMod mineralogy technique, developed and employed by
Base Resources, comprises an XRF analysis of the magnetic and
non-magnetic fractions of each composite or sample, the results
from which are then back-calculated to determine in-ground
mineralogy. MinMod has been validated by external quantitative
analysis (QEMSCAN and EDX) and is considered sufficiently certified
to support quoted resource confidence in this report.
Various
quality control samples were submitted routinely to assure assay
quality. A total of 112 duplicate field samples, 108 lab duplicate
sample preparation samples, 68 field standard samples, 84 lab
standard samples and 71 instrument stability standards have been
assayed at Kwale Operations’ site laboratory.
Acceptable
levels of accuracy and precision have been established.
|
Verification
of sampling and assaying
|
The
verification of significant intersections by either independent or
alternative company personnel.
The
use of twinned holes.
Documentation
of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data
storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
Discuss
any adjustment to assay data.
|
The
Bumamani Deposit is a moderate to low HM grade, dunal and
paleo-beach style accumulation that does not carry excessive
mineralisation or suffer from ‘nugget’ effects, typical of other
commodities.
An
external audit validation was completed for the HM analyses
included in the Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate by IHC Robbins
in 2020.
An
internal audit validation was completed by the Base Resources
Exploration & Resources Manager who is a Competent
Person.
A total of
12 twin drill holes were completed between the two drilling
programmes, representing about 5.2% of the total programme. These
twin holes are used to quantify short-range variability in
geological character and grade intersections and were drilled
throughout the deposit.
The
spatially well-represented twin-hole paired data shows a good
correlation, considered material to the integrity/quality of the
resource data.
Drill hole
logging and site sample data were collected electronically in
Maxwell LogChief software, installed on field Panasonic Tough pads
that synchronise directly to the Datashed database. Assay data is
captured electronically via LIMS software and merged with logging
and sample data in the Datashed database.
No
adjustment to assay data was made.
|
Location
of data points
|
Accuracy
and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and
down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations
used in Mineral Resource estimation.
Specification
of the grid system used.
Quality
and adequacy of topographic control.
|
Proposed
drill holes were sited on the ground using hand-held Garmin GPS
units with an accuracy of ~ 3m.
After
drilling, the mine surveyors picked collar positions via a DGPS RTK
unit registered to local base stations.
The
accuracy of the RTK unit is stated at 0.02m in the X, Y and Z
axes.
The survey
geodetic datum utilised is UTM Arc 1960, used in east Africa. Arc
1960 references the Clark 1880 (RGS) ellipsoid and the Greenwich
prime meridian.
All survey
data used in the Bumamani Mineral Resource dataset has undergone a
transformation to the local mine grid from the standard UTM Zone
37S (Arc 1960). The local grid was rotated at (-42.5°) which
aligned the average regional strike with the local North and was
useful for both grade interpolation and mining reference during
production.
All drill
collars are projected to the local LIDAR DTM captured over the
resource area in 2018 at a 2x2m grid spacing.
This was
performed before interpretation and model construction, to
eliminate any elevation disparities for the block model
construction.
|
Data
spacing and distribution
|
Data
spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
Whether
the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the
degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the
Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and
classifications applied.
Whether
sample compositing has been applied.
|
The drill
data spacing from the 2017/2018 and 2023 Bumamani Mineral Resource
drilling programmes was on average 50m East, 100m North and 1.5m
downhole.
Variations
from this spacing resulted from terrain challenges or low
grades.
This
spacing and distribution was considered sufficient to establish the
degree of geological and mineralisation continuity appropriate for
the resource estimation procedures and classifications
applied.
No sample
compositing has been applied for HM, slimes, oversize and XRF
assays.
|
Orientation
of data in relation to geological structure
|
Whether
the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible
structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the
deposit type.
If the
relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation
of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a
sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if
material.
|
With the
geological setting being a layered dunal/marine/fluviatile
sequence, the orientation of the deposit mineralisation in general
is sub-horizontal. All drill holes were orientated vertically
(-90°) to penetrate the sub-horizontal mineralisation
orthogonally.
Hole
centres were spaced at 50m. This cross-profiled the ore zones so
that variation could be determined. Downhole intervals at 1.5
metres provided adequate sampling resolution to capture the
distribution and variability of geology units and mineralisation
encountered vertically.
The
orientation of the drilling was considered appropriate for testing
the horizontal and vertical extent of mineralisation without
bias.
|
Sample
security
|
The
measures taken to ensure sample security.
|
Drill
samples were transported daily from site to the secure sample
preparation facility by company personnel.
Sample
residues from the preparation stage were transferred to pallets and
stored in a locked sample storage shed beside the warehouse at the
Kwale Operations.
Residues
from the Kwale Operations Laboratory were placed in labelled jars
and stored in numbered boxes inside a container near the prepatory
lab facility.
Remnant
drill samples were packed in labelled wood pallets and stored in a
dedicated storage shed facility.
Sample
tables are housed on a secure, network-hosted SQL database.
Administration privileges are limited to two Base Titanium staff:
Exploration Superintendent and the Business Applications
Administrator.
Data is
backed up every 12 hours and stored in perpetuity on a secure, site
backup server.
|
Audits
or reviews
|
The
results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and
data.
|
IHC
Robbins Geological Services validated the resource data and
reviewed the completed block model in 2020, and considered the
model fit for purpose.
Base
Resources Exploration and Resources Manager, Mr. Ian Reudavey
reviewed the Bumamani geological interpretations, wireframes and
assay and mineralogy data interpolations and following minor
revisions considered the data fit for purpose.
|
Section
2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria
listed in the preceding section also apply to this
section.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Mineral
tenement and land tenure status
|
Type,
reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements
or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures,
partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests,
historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental
settings.
The
security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any
known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the
area.
|
The
Bumamani project is located within SML 23, which is 100% held by
Base Titanium, a wholly owned subsidiary of Base
Resources.
SML 23 was
initially granted in 2004 and extended in June 2022 to cover the
Kwale North Dune and Bumamani Ore Reserves.
SML 23 is
in good standing with the State Department for Mining and expires
on 30 June 2025.
Local
landowners are generally supportive of exploration and mining
activities with established community relations and development
programs in place.
|
Exploration
done by other parties
|
Acknowledgment
and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
|
No known
historical exploration by third parties was undertaken in the
Bumamani area.
|
Geology
|
Deposit
type, geological setting and style of
mineralisation.
|
The
Bumamani deposits are primarily hosted in the ‘Margarini Formation’
comprising reddish-brown, well-sorted, fine-grained dune sands
overlying clay fluviatile units, which in turn overlie a Mesozoic
sandstone base, known as the Mazeras formation. All formations are
locally enriched in HM, with the VHM suite dominated by ilmenite,
with lesser rutile and zircon.
These
three units are separated by lateritic paleo-surfaces which signify
a time-gap between the geological formations.
The
Mazeras Sandstone, derived from the disintegration of the
Mozambique Belt metamorphic rocks, has likely provided the supply
of heavy minerals to the Margarini sand dunes and the fluviatile
formations.
The
eastern part of the Bumamani deposit, occurring at around 50-60m
above sea level, is hosted in well drained, yellow to white, loose,
marine sands occurring along an subtle arcuate topographic ridge.
These sands are a result of marine transgression events before the
mid-Pleistocene that resulted in raised beaches, reworking existing
Margarini deposits and locally concentrating them into small
high-grade deposits.
|
Drill
hole Information
|
A
summary of all information material to the understanding of the
exploration results including a tabulation of the following
information for all Material drill holes:
easting
and northing of the drill hole collar
elevation
or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of the
drill hole collar
dip
and azimuth of the hole
down
hole length and interception depth
hole
length.
If the
exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the
information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract
from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should
clearly explain why this is the case.
|
Drilling
by year used for the resource model build was as
follows:
2017
stratigraphic drilling
-
39 RCAC
drill holes (depth: max 75m, min 12m, average 25.8m)
-
Total
1,005m drilled.
2018
exploration drilling
-
134 RCAC
drill holes (depth: max 27m, min 6m, average 13.0m).
-
Total
1,743m drilled.
2023
exploration drilling
-
58 RCAC
drill holes (depth: max 22.5m, min 13.5m, average
17.1m).
-
Total 990m
drilled.
2024
exploration drilling
-
12 auger
drill holes (depth: max 15m, min 12m, average 14.5m).
-
Total 174m
drilled.
See the
drill hole location plan in the attached Figure 5.
All drill
holes were drilled vertically.
All
collars were projected to the LIDAR topographical
surface.
A
tabulation of material drill holes is not included as exploration
results are not being reported.
|
Data
aggregation methods
|
In
reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques,
maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high
grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be
stated.
Where
aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade
results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used
for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of
such aggregations should be shown in detail.
The
assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values
should be clearly stated.
|
Exploration
results are not being reported.
No metal
equivalent values were used.
No
aggregation of short length samples used as samples were
consistently 1.5m intervals.
|
Relationship
between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths
|
These
relationships are particularly important in the reporting of
Exploration Results.
If the
geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle
is known, its nature should be reported.
If it
is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there
should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. ‘down hole length,
true width not known’).
|
The
deposit sequences are sub-horizontal, and the vertically inclined
holes are a fair representation of true thickness.
|
Diagrams
|
Appropriate
maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts
should be included for any significant discovery being reported
These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill
hole collar locations and appropriate sectional
views.
|
See
attached Figures 4 and 5.
|
Balanced
reporting
|
Where
comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not
practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades
and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of
Exploration Results.
|
Exploration
results are not being reported.
|
Other
substantive exploration data
|
Other
exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported
including (but not limited to): geological observations;
geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk
samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results;
bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics;
potential deleterious or contaminating substances.
|
The
Bumamani dunal and fossil beach material contains significantly
lower slimes than the Kwale North Dune deposit.
This
characteristic is beneficial when mining the deposit concurrently
with the Kwale North Dune to provide a blended feed to the
processing plants.
|
Further
work
|
The
nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral
extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out
drilling).
Diagrams
clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including
the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas,
provided this information is not commercially
sensitive.
|
No further
work is recommended or planned as the deposit is currently being
mined and, with the planned cessation of mining activities at Kwale
Operations in December 2024 following the depletion of existing Ore
Reserves, there are no potential mine extensions that have not
already been identified and assessed.
|
Section
3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources
(Criteria listed in section 1, and
where relevant in section 2, also apply to this
section.)
Criteria
|
Explanation
|
Comment
|
Database
integrity
|
Measures
taken to ensure that data has not been corrupted by, for example,
transcription or keying errors, between its initial collection and
its use for Mineral Resource estimation purposes.
Data
validation procedures used.
|
Field data
was captured in LogChief logging application and automatically
validated through reference to pre-set library table
configurations. Typing or logging code errors, duplication of key
identifiers (e.g., HOLE_ID, SAMPLEID) and conflicts in related
tables (e.g. downhole depth) are quarantined by the software and
require resolving immediately before logging can
proceed.
The SQL
database also has identical automated validation features. Data
import is unsuccessful until these data issues are
resolved.
Field
logging and assay data from the SQL database were imported into
Micromine software for sectional interpretation.
Validation
steps included a visual interrogation of collar versus geology
depths, a review of hole locations against the drilling plan and a
check for missing or duplicated logged fields and
outliers.
Any
spurious or questionable entries were resolved by the supervising
Geologist.
A field
diary was utilised by the site Geologist to record the hole name,
date, depth, number of samples, time of start and finish, a
description of the hole location relative to the previous hole and
other relative observations. Such a diary provides valuable
evidence if there is an error in hole naming or
surveying.
A
geologist was employed to manage digital data capture at the sample
preparation laboratory to reduce the potential for data entry error
by unskilled labourers. Several validation checks were made of
sample preparation data to ensure accurate data entry and
application of correct procedure by Base Titanium
staff.
This
included:
-
Comparison
of pre-versus post-oven weights.
-
Comparison
of split weight versus de-slimed weight.
-
Comparison
of split weight versus field sample weight.
-
All sample
preparation data was sorted by each field and outliers were
investigated.
Assay
results were delivered via email in 45 sample batches from Kwale
Operations’ site laboratory. These were in the form of CSV text
files and imported by batch number directly into the SQL database
tables where pre-set algorithms converted weights to percentages
and removed the moisture content. The calculated assay results are
then checked manually for missing records and out-of-range or
unrealistic values.
|
Site
visits
|
Comment
on any site visits undertaken by the Competent Person and the
outcome of those visits.
If no
site visits have been undertaken indicate why this is the
case.
|
The
Competent Person is Base Titanium Exploration Manager, Mr Edwin
Owino, and he is based at Kwale Operations and oversaw the drilling
program and sample collection. The Competent Person is satisfied
with the integrity of the database as well as the delineation of
the geological boundaries having many years of experience at Kwale
Operations.
|
Geological
interpretation
|
Confidence
in (or conversely, the uncertainty of) the geological
interpretation of the mineral deposit.
Nature
of the data used and of any assumptions made.
The
effect, if any, of alternative interpretations on Mineral Resource
estimation.
The
use of geology in guiding and controlling Mineral Resource
estimation.
The
factors affecting continuity both of grade and
geology.
|
The
geological interpretation was undertaken by the Base Titanium
Exploration Manager by using field logs and observations, assays,
HM sink logs, XRF oxide chemistry and mineralogy data.
The data
spacing for the project is considered sufficient for grade and
mineralogical continuity.
Three
mineralised geological zones and a basement zone were identified
and are used as constraints in the Mineral Resources
estimation.
The
uppermost zone at Bumamani, referred to as Ore Zone 1, is a dark
red brown, predominantly fine, well-sorted silty sand with very
little induration.
It is also
characterised by clean, well-sorted and polished HM with a high
value mineral assemblage.
Ore Zone
20 flanks Ore Zone 1 to the east and is hosted in well-sorted
medium to coarse fossil beach sands characterised by low slimes and
induration. The HM is well-sorted and polished, containing elevated
rutile and zircon as well as a higher-titanium ilmenite than
typical for the Kwale deposits.
Ore Zone 4
underlying both Ore Zone 1 and Ore Zone 20 is a sandy-clay
fluviatile unit with low-level sorting and common lateritic
fragments.
The HM
from this zone contains both gangue silicates and lateritic
aggregates.
All three
formations have a regional strike direction of about 40 degrees
East of North and range in age from mid-Pliocene to
Pleistocene.
The
Basement Zone is mostly a clay-rich, fluviatile unit with a
difficult-to-impossible washability. The HM from this zone is
typically dominated by trash minerals.
All
interpreted geology zones show a strong correlation between the
field logs, HM sink logs and XRF oxide chemistry and mineralogy,
giving confidence to these interpretations.
|
Dimensions
|
The
extent and variability of the Mineral Resource expressed as length
(along strike or otherwise), plan width, and depth below surface to
the upper and lower limits of the Mineral Resource.
|
The
Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate is approximately 1,100m along
strike and 150-300m across strike on average. The deposit thickness
averages 11m.
The
typical thickness of Ore Zone 1, Ore Zone 20 and Ore Zone 4 is
approximately 8.5m, 7m and 2.5m, respectively.
|
Estimation
and modelling techniques
|
The
nature and appropriateness of the estimation technique(s) applied
and key assumptions, including treatment of extreme grade values,
domaining, interpolation parameters and maximum distance of
extrapolation from data points. If a computer assisted estimation
method was chosen include a description of computer software and
parameters used.
The
availability of check estimates, previous estimates and/or mine
production records and whether the Mineral Resource estimate takes
appropriate account of such data.
The
assumptions made regarding recovery of by-products.
Estimation
of deleterious elements or other non-grade variables of economic
significance (e.g., sulphur for acid mine drainage
characterisation).
In the
case of block model interpolation, the block size in relation to
the average sample spacing and the search employed.
Any
assumptions behind modelling of selective mining
units.
Any
assumptions about correlation between variables.
Description
of how the geological interpretation was used to control the
resource estimates.
Discussion
of basis for using or not using grade cutting or
capping.
The
process of validation, the checking process used, the comparison of
model data to drill hole data, and use of reconciliation data if
available.
|
The
Bumamani Mineral Resource estimation was undertaken using Micromine
Origin 2023 software. The estimation techniques used are based upon
revision and modification (as required) of parameters developed
during previous modelling of the Bumamani deposit.
Interpolation
was constrained within the geological domains and utilised search
ellipse dimensions developed from variography, with a dynamic
ellipse orientation controlled by strike and dip trend points of
the geological domain.
Inverse
Distance Weighting to the power of three was used to interpolate
assay grades (HM, Slimes, Oversize) and mineralogy (Ilmenite,
Rutile and Zircon).
This
resource estimate has been constrained to a designated mining area
within SML 23, as the area outside of the current operational
envelope is not considered to have prospects for eventual economic
extraction, given the absence of mining tenure, the planned close
of Kwale Operations, the low HM grade, small volumes of
mineralisation identified, and high cost and timeframes of land
acquisition.
No
assumptions have been made as to the recovery of
by-products.
The parent
cell size used in the grade interpolation was half the average
drill hole spacing on the Y and X axes, which was 100m x 50m. The
vertical thickness of the cell was the average drill sample
interval i.e., 1.5m.
No
assumptions were made behind the modelling of selected mining
units.
No
assumptions were made about the correlation behind
variables.
Validation
was undertaken by swath plots, population distribution analysis and
visual inspection.
|
Moisture
|
Whether
the tonnages are estimated on a dry basis or with natural moisture,
and the method of determination of the moisture
content
|
The
Mineral Resources estimate is on a dry tonnes basis.
|
Cut-off parameters
|
The
basis of the adopted cut-off grade(s) or quality parameters
applied.
|
The
economic cut-off of Kwale Operations is between 1% and 1.5% HM
dependent upon mineral assemblage and product prices, and
historically Kwale Operations Mineral Resources estimate reporting
has used a 1% HM cut-off grade.
|
Mining
factors or assumptions
|
Assumptions
made regarding possible mining methods, minimum mining dimensions
and internal (or, if applicable, external) mining dilution. It is
always necessary as part of the process of determining reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction to consider potential
mining methods, but the assumptions made regarding mining methods
and parameters when estimating Mineral Resources may not always be
rigorous. Where this is the case, this should be reported with an
explanation of the basis of the mining assumptions
made.
|
The
hydraulic mining method currently used at the Kwale Operations is
also used at Bumamani. The slime content and generally low levels
of induration in the Bumamani deposit provide support for this
mining method.
Based on
the operational experience to date the Competent Person considers
there are no mining factors which are likely to affect the
assumption that the deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction.
|
Metallurgical
factors or assumptions
|
The
basis for assumptions or predictions regarding metallurgical
amenability. It is always necessary as part of the process of
determining reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction
to consider potential metallurgical methods, but the assumptions
regarding metallurgical treatment processes and parameters made
when reporting Mineral Resources may not always be rigorous. Where
this is the case, this should be reported with an explanation of
the basis of the metallurgical assumptions made.
|
The
existing concentrator and mineral separation plant at Kwale
Operations have proven capable of processing the Bumamani material
with recoveries achieving ranges aligned with historical
production.
Based on
the operational experience to date the Competent Person considers
there are no metallurgical factors which are likely to affect the
assumption that the deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction.
|
Environmental
factors or assumptions
|
Assumptions
made regarding possible waste and process residue disposal options.
It is always necessary as part of the process of determining
reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction to consider
the potential environmental impacts of the mining and processing
operation. While at this stage the determination of potential
environmental impacts, particularly for a greenfields project, may
not always be well advanced, the status of early consideration of
these potential environmental impacts should be reported. Where
these aspects have not been considered this should be reported with
an explanation of the environmental assumptions
made.
|
Environmental
factors for Bumamani are well established and managed as they form
a continuation of the current operational plan. The Competent
Person considers there are no environmental factors which are
likely to affect the assumption that the deposit has reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction.
Course
tailings are deposited in the mined out pit voids of both the Kwale
Central Dune and Kwale North Dune before being capped with a layer
of co-disposed of fine and coarse tails as the first step in
rehabilitation of those areas. The excess fine tails not used for
co-disposal are deposited in the site tailings storage
facility.
There is
no plan to return tailings to the Bumamani pit void, and it will be
re-shaped to a stable landform upon the cessation of mining as the
first step in rehabilitation.
|
Bulk
density
|
Whether
assumed or determined. If assumed, the basis for the assumptions.
If determined, the method used, whether wet or dry, the frequency
of the measurements, the nature, size and representativeness of the
samples.
The
bulk density for bulk material must have been measured by methods
that adequately account for void spaces (vugs, porosity, etc),
moisture and differences between rock and alteration zones within
the deposit.
Discuss
assumptions for bulk density estimates used in the evaluation
process of the different materials.
|
A fixed
dry bulk density of 1.7 (t/m3)
was assumed for the Bumamani Mineral Resources estimate, based on
operational experience of mining the Kwale Central Dune and Kwale
South Dune deposits.
Ongoing
production reconciliation has shown this to be a reasonable
assumption and more reliable than bulk density
algorithms.
|
Classification
|
The
basis for the classification of the Mineral Resources into varying
confidence categories.
Whether
appropriate account has been taken of all relevant factors (i.e.,
relative confidence in tonnage/grade estimations, reliability of
input data, confidence in continuity of geology and metal values,
quality, quantity and distribution of the data).
Whether
the result appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s view of
the deposit.
|
The
Mineral Resources classification for the Bumamani deposit was based
on drill hole spacing, sample interval and the distribution and
influence of composite mineralogical samples.
The
classification of the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral
Resources was supported by the uniform grid spacing of drilling,
uncomplicated and consistent geology, relatively good continuity of
mineralisation particularly along strike (and supported by the
domain-controlled variography), confidence in the downhole drilling
data and supporting criteria as noted above.
As
Competent Person, Base Titanium Exploration Manager, Mr. Edwin
Owino, considers that the result appropriately reflects a
reasonable view of the deposit categorisation.
|
Audits
or reviews.
|
The
results of any audits or reviews of Mineral Resource
estimates.
|
Internal
peer review was undertaken by Ian Reudavey, Base Resources
Exploration and Resource Manager, with a focus on the process and
output of the geology interpretation, database integrity and
consideration of whether wireframes reflect the geological
interpretation and grade interpolations.
Mr.
Reudavey was satisfied with these facets.
|
Discussion
of relative accuracy/ confidence
|
Where
appropriate a statement of the relative accuracy and confidence
level in the Mineral Resource estimate using an approach or
procedure deemed appropriate by the Competent Person. For example,
the application of statistical or geostatistical procedures to
quantify the relative accuracy of the resource within stated
confidence limits, or, if such an approach is not deemed
appropriate, a qualitative discussion of the factors that could
affect the relative accuracy and confidence of the
estimate.
The
statement should specify whether it relates to global or local
estimates, and, if local, state the relevant tonnages, which should
be relevant to technical and economic evaluation. Documentation
should include assumptions made and the procedures
used.
These
statements of relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate
should be compared with production data, where
available.
|
Variography
was undertaken to determine the drill hole support of the selected
JORC Code classification.
Validation
of the model vs drill hole grades was undertaken by direct
observation and comparison of the results on screen.
The
resource statement is a global estimate for the entire known extent
of the Bumamani deposit within SML 23.
Production
data shows reasonable correlation with the resource
estimate.
|
Glossary
Assemblage
|
The
relative proportion of heavy mineral components, principally
ilmenite, rutile, zircon and, where applicable, leucoxene, monazite
and garnet.
|
Base
Titanium
|
Base
Titanium Limited.
|
Competent
Person
|
The JORC
Code requires that a Competent Person be a Member or Fellow of The
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, of the Australian
Institute of Geoscientists, or of a ‘Recognised Professional
Organisation’.
A
Competent Person must have a minimum of five years’ experience
working with the style of mineralisation or type of deposit under
consideration and relevant to the activity which that person is
undertaking.
|
Cut-off
grade
|
The lowest
grade of mineralised material that is thought to be economically
mineable and available.
Typically
used by Base Resources to define which material is reported in a
Mineral Resources estimate.
|
DTM
|
Digital
Terrain Model.
|
GARN
|
Garnet, a
valuable heavy mineral.
|
Grade
|
A physical
or chemical measurement of the characteristics of the material of
interest.
In this
context, the grade is always a percentage and the characteristics
are heavy mineral, oversize, slime and the various product minerals
(ilmenite, rutile etc).
|
Heavy
mineral or HM
|
In mineral
sands, minerals with a specific gravity greater than 2.85
t/m3.
|
ILM
|
Ilmenite,
a valuable heavy mineral.
|
Indicated
|
An
Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for
which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape and physical
characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow
the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to
support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of
the deposit.
|
Inferred
|
An
Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for
which quantity and grade (or quality) are estimated on the basis of
limited geological evidence and sampling.
Geological
evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade
(or quality) continuity.
It is
based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered
through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops,
trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
|
Inverse
distance weighting
|
A
statistical interpolation method whereby the influence of data
points within a defined neighbourhood around an interpolated point
decreases as a function of distance.
|
JORC
Code
|
The
Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves 2012 Edition, as published by the Joint
Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals
Council of Australia.
|
Kwale
Operations or Kwale Project
|
The
Company’s 100% owned Kwale Mineral Sands Operations in
Kenya.
|
LEUC
|
Leucoxene,
a valuable heavy mineral.
|
LIDAR
survey
|
LIDAR is a
remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a
target with a laser and analysing the reflected light to produce a
DTM.
|
Measured
|
A Measured
Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape, and physical
characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow
the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine
planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the
deposit.
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Mineral
Resources are a concentration or occurrence of solid material of
economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade
(or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for
eventual economic extraction.
The
location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other
geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known,
estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and
knowledge, including sampling.
Mineral
Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological
confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured
categories.
|
MinMod
|
A company
developed mineralogy modelling technique, it comprises an XRF
analysis of the magnetic and non-magnetic fractions of each
composite or sample, the results from which are then
back-calculated to determine in-ground mineralogy.
|
Modifying
Factors
|
Modifying
Factors are considerations used to convert Mineral Resources to Ore
Reserves.
These
include, but are not restricted to, mining, processing,
metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal,
environmental, social and governmental factors.
|
MON
|
Monazite,
a valuable heavy mineral that contains rare earth
elements.
|
NQ
|
Specification
of drilling rods (and bits) with an outer diameter of
76mm.
|
Ore
Reserves
|
Ore
Reserves are the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or
Indicated Mineral Resource.
It
includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may
occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by
studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that
include application of Modifying Factors. Such studies demonstrate
that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be
justified.
|
OS
|
Oversize
material, for Kwale and Ranobe it is defined as material >1mm in
size
|
Probable
|
A Probable
Ore Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and
in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral
Resource.
The
confidence in the Modifying Factors applying to a Probable Ore
Reserve is lower than that applying to a Proved Ore
Reserve.
|
Proved
|
A Proved
Ore Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral
Resource.
A Proved
Ore Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying
Factors.
|
QEMSCAN
|
An acronym
for Quantitative Evaluation of Materials by Scanning Electron
Microscopy, an integrated automated mineralogy and petrography
solution providing quantitative analysis of minerals and
rocks.
|
QQ
plot
|
Quantile
plot. Used to graphically compare data distributions.
|
RCAC
|
Reverse
circulation air core.
|
RTK
|
Real time
kinematic DGPS uses a base station GPS at a known point that
communicates via radio with a roving unit so that the random
position error introduced by the satellite owners may be corrected
in real time.
|
RUT
|
Rutile, a
valuable heavy mineral.
|
SL
|
Slimes,
fine material (defined as <45µm at Kwale and <63µm at Ranobe)
that is a waste product from the processing of mineral
sands.
|
SML
23
|
Kwale
Special Mining Lease No. 23
|
Sterilisation
|
Material
that is depleted from Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, but which
was not mined.
This
material still remains in ground following mining activity and, in
the Competent Person’s opinion, it has no reasonable prospects for
eventual economic extraction.
|
|
Variography
|
A
geostatistical method that investigates the spatial variability and
dependence of grade within a deposit. This may also include a
directional analysis.
|
XRF
analysis or XRF
|
A
spectroscopic method used to determine the chemical composition of
a material through analysis of secondary X-ray emissions, generated
by excitation of a sample with primary X-rays that are
characteristic of a particular element.
|
ZIR
|
Zircon, a
valuable heavy mineral.
|
|
|
|
ENDS.
For
further information contact:
Australian
Media Relations
|
UK Media
Relations
|
Sodali
& Co
|
Tavistock
Communications
|
Cameron
Gilenko and Michael Weir
|
Jos Simson
and Gareth Tredway
|
Tel: +61 8
6160 4900
|
Tel: +44
207 920 3150
|
This
release has been authorised by the Base Resources Disclosure
Committee.
About
Base Resources
Base
Resources is an Australian based, African focused, mineral sands
producer and developer with a track record of project delivery and
operational performance.
The
Company operates the established Kwale Operations in Kenya and is developing the Toliara Project in
Madagascar.
Base
Resources is an ASX and AIM listed company.
Further
details about Base Resources are available at
www.baseresources.com.au.
PRINCIPAL
& REGISTERED OFFICE
Level 3,
46 Colin Street
West Perth, Western
Australia, 6005
Email:
info@baseresources.com.au
Phone: +61
8 9413 7400
Fax: +61 8
9322 8912
NOMINATED
ADVISER & JOINT BROKER
Canaccord
Genuity Limited
James Asensio / Raj Khatri / George
Grainger
Phone: +44
20 7523 8000
JOINT
BROKER
Berenberg
Matthew Armitt / Detlir Elezi
Phone: +44
20 3207 7800