TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 8280E
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
04 July 2023
Alba Mineral Resources Plc / EPIC: ALBA / Market: AIM / Sector:
Mining
4 July 2023
Alba Mineral Resources Plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Clogau Update
Grant of Dewatering Permits for Primary Gold Target
Alba Mineral Resources Plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to report that
it has been granted the ecological permits required for the planned
dewatering and associated exploration of its primary target within
the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in north Wales ("Clogau" or the
"Mine"), the Lower Llechfraith workings.
Highlights
-- Ecological permits granted at Clogau comprising a European
Protected Species Licence ("EPSL"), Water Discharge Permit, and
Water Abstraction (or Transfer) Licence, in relation to the
dewatering and associated exploration of the Lower Llechfraith
workings.
-- Technical team and contractors now undertaking the necessary
on-site preparations so that the dewatering exercise may commence
as soon as possible.
-- The Lower Llechfraith workings have all the key geological
characteristics for the occurrence of high-grade gold
mineralisation, including greenstone sills, Clogau Shales and
structural complexity in the lode itself.
-- Alba's 2020-21 surface drilling programme proved the downward
continuation of the Llechfraith lode structure up to 122 metres
below where it was last explored on the No.4 Level; the target
structure has been untouched by historical exploration and
development.
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman, commented: "We are
delighted to have received the ecological permits to allow us to
dewater and explore the Lower Llechfraith workings, our primary
gold target within the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine. Detailed
planning has been in train for some time so that we did not lose
time once the permits were granted. Accordingly, we are well placed
to complete our preparations on site and commence the dewatering
exercise within a matter of days.
"I would like to thank our whole team as well as our highly
skilled technical consultants for supporting us throughout the
permitting process and I look forward to providing further
operational updates in due course."
Background
Since 2021, the Company has sought the ecological permits to
enable it to dewater the Llechfraith Shaft and associated workings
within the Lower Llechfraith mine area (the "Lower Llechfraith
workings") at Clogau and undertake the detailed exploration of this
priority gold target (Figure 1). These permits comprise a European
Protected Species Licence ("EPSL"), Water Discharge Permit and
Water Abstraction (or Transfer) Licence.
The permitting process, undertaken by the competent regulator,
Natural Resources Wales ("NRW"), included a lengthy Habitat
Regulations Assessment ("HRA"), which was supported throughout by
the Company and its team of ecological, hydrogeological, acoustic,
and other experts. During the process, the Company generated a huge
volume of ecological survey data and analysis and devised
wide-ranging mitigation and safety measures for the protection of
the environment, and the Company anticipates that this work should
now provide a framework for a more streamlined and efficient
process for future permitting applications.
Figure 1: Clogau-St David's mine system, with Lower Llechfraith
workings shown on left.
The Lower Llechfraith mine area was a key focus for the last
large-scale development efforts at Clogau, prior to Alba's time.
Historical plans from that period record sightings of visible gold
within these lower workings. The area has all the key geological
characteristics for the occurrence of high-grade gold
mineralisation, including greenstone sills, Clogau Shales and
structural complexity in the lode itself.
Through the surface drilling programme that it completed in July
2021, Alba has proved the downward continuation of the Llechfraith
lode structure up to 122 metres below where it was last explored on
the No.4 Level. The target structure has remained untouched by
historical efforts, which to date have only covered a vertical
extent of an estimated 30-50 m. The lode system is also believed to
extend to the west, where historical work is minimal.
There is no access to the Lower Llechfraith workings currently,
from Level 2 down to Level 4, as they are flooded (Figure 2). To
access the lower workings, a dewatering programme will be
undertaken, during which water will be pumped out of the flooded
workings and then treated in the Clogau mine yard using a
settlement tank to remove excess suspended solids. Preparations are
underway on site so that this process may commence as soon as
possible.
Following the dewatering of the lower levels, Alba will move
directly onto safety works, mapping, sampling and, subject to the
permitted development rights notification regime, bulk sampling of
the exposed development in order to determine the gold content and
test the Company's existing geological model below Level 4.
Depending on the outcome of that work, the subsequent phase of work
is expected to involve putting in new development, commencing with
the sinking of a new shaft or the extension of the existing
Llechfraith Shaft.
Figure 2: Lower Llechfraith flooded workings, shown in blue.
**ENDS**
For further information, please visit www.albamineralresources.com or contact:
Alba Mineral Resources plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman +44 20 3950 0725
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nomad)
Andrew Emmott +44 20 3368 3555
-----------------------------
CMC Markets plc (Broker)
Thomas Smith / Douglas Crippen +44 (0) 20 3003 8632
-----------------------------
St Brides Partners (Financial PR) alba@stbridespartners.co.uk
Isabel de Salis / Catherine Leftley
-----------------------------
Alba's Projects & Investments
Projects Operated by Alba Location Ownership
------------ -----------
Clogau (gold) Wales 100%
------------ -----------
Dolgellau Gold Exploration (gold) Wales 100%
------------ -----------
Gwynfynydd (gold) Wales 100%
------------ -----------
Investments Held by Alba Location Ownership
------------ -----------
GreenRoc Mining Plc (mining) Greenland 44.67%
------------ -----------
Horse Hill (oil) England 11.765%
------------ -----------
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