Kazak Announces Key Corporate Developments
May 22 2012 - 9:00AM
Marketwired Canada
Kazax Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KZX) ("Kazax" or the "Company") is pleased to
announce that it has been advised by the Project Manager; Stonehouse
Construction Ltd ("Stonehouse"), of the following progress at the Lomonosovskoye
Iron Ore project in Kazakhstan (the Deposit). Stonehouse has advised that key
engineering contracts have been executed, the core project development team has
been appointed; and critical mine planning, beneficiation engineering, test work
and confirmation drilling have commenced.
Project Background
Historically a total of 412 drill holes totaling 56,000 meters outlined skarn
iron ore mineralization at the NW deposit and the Central deposit beneath 60 to
100 metres of overburden. Average grade is approximately 35% and mineralization
extends to a 1,400m depth in the NW deposit and approximately 900m at Central.
Mineralization is open in several directions.
A technical report dated Dec. 15, 2011, prepared by Mining Associates Pty. Ltd.
of Australia with respect to the Deposit and compliant with NI 43-101 (the
Report), has been completed and accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange
for review and has been filed on SEDAR.
To view accompanying map, visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/KZX_522Map.jpg
Project Development Team
The project team has been established in the Company's Astana Office and
comprises experienced expatriate and local personnel in the key areas of:
a. Mine Planning - Dr. Juan Camus leads this team and holds a Doctorate in
Mining Planning from Queens University in Canada. Dr Camus has over 25
years mining experience including past employment with Codelco (Chile)
and Rio Tinto (Australia).
b. Beneficiation Plant Engineering - Mr. Jayanti Murthy leads this team and
holds a Masters in Applied Science (Process Engineering). Mr. Murthy
possesses over 23 years experience in the iron processing sector
including past employment with Tata Steel (India) and Gulf Mining Co
(Oman).
c. Approvals, Permitting and Stakeholder Relations - Mr. Arman Parimbekov
leads the approvals and permitting team. Mr. Parimbekov holds an honours
degree in Finance & Economics and a Masters in Public Policy from the
University of Michigan -Ann, Arbor USA. He has over ten years experience
within the public and business sector in Kazakhstan including past
employment with the World Bank Group (Washington, DC), Ministry of
Economy and Budget Planning, Chancellary of Prime Minister.
d. Infrastructure Development - Mr. Umidbek Tungushbayev leads the
infrastructure studies team. Mr. Tungushbayev holds an honours degree in
Construction. He has extensive experience in construction within
Kazakhstan and the CIS region.
e. Sales & Marketing - Ms. Elena Pirogova leads the 'Product Sales' team
and holds an honours degree in Engineer - Metallurgist. Ms. Pirogova has
over of 14 years experience and past employment includes the
Byelorussian Steel Works and Hamriyah Steel FZC.
f. Procurement - Mr. Timur Mussin leads the procurement team. Mr. Mussin
has over ten years procurement experience within Kazakhstan and the CIS
region.
Confirmation Drilling
The Report recommends an 2012 US$1.6M work program consisting of core drill
holes at the NW and Central deposits. The drilling program is designed for the
purpose of:
a) validation of historical drilling, particularly in areas of poor core
recovery; and
b) delineation of mineralized zones, particularly in areas requiring in-fill
drilling where the historical drill holes were off section or where there is low
confidence in the historical mineralized zone extrapolations and continuity.
The initial stage (4 holes; 1,665m) of the final 2012 confirmation drilling
program has commenced and is due for completion by end June 2012. Following a
detailed review of the drilling history on the Property; a twenty-two hole
(6,995m) confirmation drilling program was determined by the independent QP
(Mining Associates of Australia) and the local supervising geologists. Five
holes (1,890m) of this program were completed last year (by Safin) and the
balance of the 22 hole program is due for completion in August 2012 under the
technical guidance of the QP. Full permitting approval for the 2012 drilling
program is in progress with MINT.
The resulting data will form the basis of the reserve modeling to both NI43:101
and Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK) standards.
In parallel with the 2012 confirmation drilling program the following contracts
for critical engineering tasks have been awarded or are about to be awarded:
a. Beneficiation Test-Work & Geological Assay
b. Beneficiation Plant - Technology Selection and Front End Engineering &
Design (FEED) - with LogiCamms a leading Australian engineering, project
delivery and asset management company operating in the Mining and
Minerals, Hydrocarbons, Infrastructure and Specialist industries. The
project team brings extensive Iron Ore experience through mines such as
Tom Price; Hope Downs, Marandoo; Roy Hills (Australia); Sundance
(Cameroon) and Zanaga (Congo).
c. Qualified Person / NI 43101 Compliance - awarded to Mining Associates.
d. Environmental Impact & Approvals Study - awarded
e. Site Geotechnical Works (including hydrology)
f. Site Topographic Survey - awarded
g. Mine Scenario Modeling - awarded
h. Engineering scoping design for:
-- Railway spur line
-- Gas Supply
-- Electricity Supply
-- Water Supply
-- Communications Infrastructure
About the Company
Kazax Minerals Inc. is a mining exploration and development company focusing on
iron ore. Other world-wide target acquisitions are being sought. Kazax aims to
be a significant mid-tier international mine exploration and development company
in the iron ore sector.
For additional information readers are invited to review additional corporate
and property information available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David Savage, President and Chairman of the Board
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of
the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective",
"ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "schedule", "believe", "plans",
"intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news
release contains forward looking statements and information concerning the
Company s future operations and prospects. The forward-looking statements and
information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the
Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning equipment and crew
availability, and joint venture partner financial capability. Although the
Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such
forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue
reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements and information
because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By
its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and
uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results and experience to
differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, reservoir performance,
labour, equipment and material costs, access to capital markets, interest and
currency exchange rates, and political and economic conditions. Additional
information on these and other factors is available in continuous disclosure
materials filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulators. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which
is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release or otherwise, and
to not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other
than their intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.