Vast Resources plc Quarterly Production Summary & Operations Update
October 16 2017 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMVAST
Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining
16 October 2017
Vast Resources plc
("Vast" or the "Company")
Quarterly Production Summary & Operations Update
Vast Resources plc, the AIM listed mining company with operations in
Romania and Zimbabwe, presents its operational update and production
summary for the three months ended 30 September 2017 ('Q3 2017').
To view a presentation, which presents the Q3 2017 results together with
the previous four quarters, please visit the Company's website:
www.vastresourcesplc.com.
Production Overview:
Q3 2017 was a record quarter for Vast, which saw operations at the
Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania ("Manaila") and the
Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine in Zimbabwe ("Pickstone-Peerless")
outperform the previous quarter in terms of tonnes mined, tonnes milled,
copper concentrate produced and gold produced.
Manaila Production Summary
(commissioned on 14 August 2015, Vast interest 100%.):
Results for the quarter demonstrate a considerable improvement over Q2
2017. In respect of volume related metrics, Q3 2017 reflects an
exceptional performance. This result is unsurpassed since commissioning
of the mine by Vast.
Summary of Q3 2017 Production:
-- 46% increase in tonnes of ore mined from Q2 2017 to 40,462 dry tonnes
(Q2 2017: 27,707 dry tonnes(*) )
-- 39% increase in tonnes of ore milled from Q2 2017 to 39,135 dry tonnes
(Q2 2017: 28,082 dry tonnes(*) )
-- 31% increase in copper concentrate produced from Q2 2017 to 1,082 dry
tonnes (Q1 2017: 828 dry tonnes)
-- 2% decrease in copper concentrate grade from Q2 2017 to 17.9%
(Q2 2017:18.2%)
-- 25% decrease in zinc concentrate produced from Q2 2017 to 118 dry tonnes
(Q2 2017: 157 dry tonnes)
-- 6% increase in zinc concentrate grade from Q2 2017 to 42.3% (Q2 2017:
39.8%)
-- 50% increase in gold concentrate from Q2 2017 to 7dry tonnes (Q2 2017: 5
dry tonnes)
-- 30% decrease in gold concentrate grade from Q2 2017 to 31.4g/t (Q2 2017:
45g/t)
Pickstone-Peerless Production Summary
(commissioned on 20 August 2015, Vast interest 25%):
Ore mined and milled at Pickstone-Peerless rose in the quarter to their
highest levels since the June 2016 quarter. Operations are being
managed at maximum milling capacity ahead of commissioning of the new
sulphide plant.
-- 4% increase in tonnes of ore mined from Q2 2017 to 71,553 tonnes (Q2
2017: 68,659 tonnes)
-- 16% increase in tonnes of ore milled from Q2 2017 to 68,431 tonnes (Q2
2017: 58,923 tonnes)
-- 17% increase in gold production from Q2 2017 to 4,738 ounces (Q2 2017:
4,037 ounces)
-- 3% increase in milled gold grade from Q2 2017 to 2.41g/t (Q2 2017:
2.35g/t)
Development Overview:
The production summary should be read in concert with the development
initiatives underway in Romania and Zimbabwe. The purpose of these
development initiatives is to increase and optimise production, lower
operating costs and build a portfolio of long term sustainable mining
operations.
Manaila Expansion & Regional Metallurgical Complex Romania
-- 18-hole drill programme for 2,200 metres completed at the Carlibaba
prospect located adjacent to the current Manaila open pit
-- Results from first phase of 1,000 metre drilling programme at Carlibaba
confirmed the mineralised zones and geological structures as expected
-- Assayed values appear to support the development of a second open pit
operation at Manaila with the construction of a metallurgical processing
facility on site, thereby significantly reducing the cost of ore
transport incurred at the current operation
-- For Phase 2 drilling, a total of nine surface drill-holes are now
completed totalling a further 1,200 metres of core
-- The phase 2 drilling intersected the defined mineralised zones identified
from historic drilling and the Phase 1 drilling at depth and serve to
verify the continuation of the zones at depth
-- In conjunction with the significant data obtained from historic sources
the data is being collated and modelled in-house by Vast and will result
in a JORC compliant mineral resource for Manaila being reported in due
course now that Phase 2 drilling is completed
-- Commencement of soil and rock sampling activities at Piciorul Zimbrului
and Magura Neagra licences underway - exploration licences will be
applied for once prospecting work is complete
Faneata Tailings Facility ("Faneata") Romania
-- Application has been made for an exploitation right over the tailings dam
in anticipation of positive feasibility results
-- However, in view of the likelihood of the award of an association licence
for Baita Plai, options are being re-assessed regarding priority use of
the Baita processing
facilities which may result in a postponement of the exploitation of the
tailings dam
Pickstone-Peerless & Giant Gold Project Zimbabwe
-- Construction of sulphide plant progressing - expected to be completed by
the end of December 2017
-- Significant increase in installed primary milling capacity anticipated
once sulphide plant is commissioned to 35,000 tonnes per month from the
current 22,800 tonnes per month
-- Mill grade expected to increase from 2.31g/t gold ('Au') to between
3.00g/t Au and 4.00g/t Au over a 6 to 9-month period as higher-grade
sulphide ore is mined and processed, resulting in a significant increase
in production
-- Evaluation of the Giant Gold Project - located 28km from
Pickstone-Peerless, which has a current JORC-compliant inferred resource
of 500,000oz of gold, is ongoing
-- Progress has been made in relocating artisanal miners from the Giant Gold
Project licence area
Roy Pitchford, Chief Executive of Vast, commented:
"It is pleasing to be able to report improved quarterly production
statistics as the Company strives to become overall cash generative. It
is of equal importance that our development initiatives at both Manaila,
namely the drilling programme at Carlibaba ahead of the proposed second
open pit and new metallurgical complex, and Pickstone-Peerless,
specifically the advancement of the sulphide plant, have both made
considerable progress. This work is a crucial component of long term
strategy to become a profitable mid-tier producer.
"Separately, the progress on the Baita Plai association licence and the
anticipation of recommencing mining and processing operations at this
mine during the current quarter are both encouraging and we will
continue to report of developments as appropriate."
Production Statistics
September 2017 Quarterly Production Summary
Operational data:
Sep'17 June'17 Mar'17 Dec'16
Manaila Units Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
Ore mined Tonnes 40,462 27,707 19,711 23,905
Waste mined Cubic Metre 119,003 53,267 45,143 38,538
Stripping ratio Times 2.9 1.9 2.3 1.6
Ore milled Tonnes 39,135 28,082 18,262 26,786
Milled Grade - Cu Percentage 0.70% 0.73% 0.79% 0.91%
Milled Grade - Zn Percentage 0.70% 0.74% 0.76% 0.88%
Concentrate
produced - Cu Dry tonnes 1,082 828 526 889
Percentage 17.9% 18.20% 18.80% 19.50%
Concentrate
produced - Zn Dry tonnes 118 157 132 165
Percentage 42.3% 39.80% 26.30% 30.00%
Concentrate
produced - Au Dry tonnes 7 5
Grams per tonne 31.4 45.0
Concentrate sold -
Cu Dry tonnes 1,079 995 321 889
Concentrate sold -
Zn Dry tonnes 92 252 0 200
Concentrate in
stock at period
end Cu Dry tonnes 41 38 206 0
Concentrate in
stock at period
end Zn Dry tonnes 63 37 132 0
Operational data:
Sep'17 June'17 Mar'17 Dec'16
Pickstone-Peerless Units Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
Ore mined Tonnes 71,533 68,659 51,660 70,930
Waste and low-grade
ore mined Tonnes 1,039,570 1,035,785 546,126 435,083
Stripping ratio Times 14.5 15.1 10.6 6.1
Ore milled Tonnes 68,431 58,923 51,102 61,356
Grams per
Milled Grade tonne 2.41 2.35 2.06 2.41
Gold produced Ounces 4,738 4,037 2,974 4,352
Gold sold Ounces 4711
3,992 2,873 4,706
Gold in stock at Ounces 782
period end 755 710 609
Notes:
1. March 2017 Quarter: Tonnes mined and milled have been converted to dry
tonnes. Previously reported: wet tonnes mined of 21,901 and wet tonnes
milled of 20,291
2. December 2016 Quarter: Tonnes mined and milled have been converted to dry
tonnes. Previously reported: wet tonnes mined of 25,245 and wet tonnes
milled of 29,776
Quarterly Conference Call
Roy Pitchford, Chief Executive of Vast, will host a conference call for
shareholders at 11.00 a.m. today, 16 October 2017.
To participate in this conference call, please dial 0808 109 0701, or
+44 (0) 20 3003 2701 if you are calling from outside of the UK, and
enter participant code 8748114# when prompted to do so. Please note
that all lines will be muted except for Vast's management, however the
Company invites shareholders to submit questions to its public relations
adviser, St Brides Partners Ltd, ahead of the call via email to
shareholderenquiries@stbridespartners.co.uk or through the online chat
function.
To access the online chat function, please use the link below and log in
as a participant using the event number 950 754 266 followed by the
password, 'Vast':
https://sbmf.webex.com/sbmf/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb995e68fad2ab36bfaa6abd079336562
On the right-hand side of the screen you will find an option to submit
questions during the call. The Q&A function will only be made live once
the call has commenced.
The management team will strive to answer as many questions as possible
during the call. A recording of the call will also be made available on
the Company's website.
If you have any problems accessing the call, please contact St Brides
Partners Ltd on shareholderenquiries@stbridespartners.co.uk or call +44
(0) 20 7236 1177.
A copy of the presentation will also be uploaded to the Research, Media
& Presentations page of the website at www.vastresourcesplc.com shortly
before the call commences.
Competent Person's Review:
This announcement has been reviewed by Mr Craig Harvey, Chief Operating
Officer at Vast, and a member of the Geological Society of South Africa
and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Harvey meets the
definition of a "qualified person" as defined in the AIM Note for Mining,
Oil and Gas Companies.
-ENDS-
For further information visit www.vastresourcesplc.com or please
contact:
Vast Resources plc www.vastresourcesplc.com
Roy Pitchford (Chief Executive Officer) +44 (0) 20 7236 1177
Beaumont Cornish - Financial & Nominated Adviser www.beaumontcornish.com
Roland Cornish +44 (0) 020 7628 3396
James Biddle
Brandon Hill Capital Ltd - Joint Broker www.brandonhillcapital.com
Jonathan Evans +44 (0)20 3463 5016
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd - Joint Broker www.pcorpfin.com
Duncan Vasey +44 (0) 20 7469 0936
St Brides Partners Ltd www.stbridespartners.co.uk
Susie Geliher +44 (0) 20 7236 1177
Charlotte Page
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the
Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market
Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf
of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely
responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information
contained therein.
Source: Vast Resources plc via Globenewswire
http://www.acrplc.com/
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 16, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Vast Resources (LSE:VAST)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Vast Resources (LSE:VAST)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024