Quarterly Activity Report for the Period Ended 30 September 2012
PERTH, Australia, Oct. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Mirabela Nickel Limited ("Mirabela" or the "Company") (TSX: MNB), (ASX: MBN) is pleased to announce its unaudited third quarter results for the period ended 30 September 2012.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Record production for the quarter of 5,441 tonnes of nickel in concentrate (up 27% from Q2 2012: 4,276 tonnes)
- Record sales for the quarter of 5,381 tonnes of nickel in concentrate (up 12% from Q2 2012: 4,787 tonnes)
- Record unit cash costs of US$5.38/lb for the quarter (down 11% from Q2 2012: US$6.03/lb)
- Average mined nickel grade of 0.52% for the quarter (up 4% from Q2 2012: 0.50%) and mining material movement of 8.9 million tonnes in accordance with the mine plan
- Record processing plant throughput of 1.8 million tonnes (up 24% from Q2 2012: 1.4 million tonnes)
- Average processing plant nickel recovery of 59% (Q2 2012: 58%) and average nickel feed grade of 0.52% (Q2 2012: 0.51%) for the quarter
- Cash on hand and on deposit of US$160 million (Q2 2012: US$166 million) at quarter end
- Successful completion of the plant upgrade construction program during the quarter
- Substantial increase in Open-Pit Resources to 204 Mt @ 0.49% nickel (Measured, Indicated) and 79.6 Mt @ 0.56% (Inferred)
OPERATIONS
Mirabela has completed a record third quarter with a second consecutive significant reduction in C1 unit cash costs and a step change increase in production post the completion of the processing plant upgrade construction program. The mine and processing plant are now running at full capacity. The Company completed its Resource estimation showing a substantial increase in Resources on the back of the successful open pit extension exploration drilling programme completed during Q2.
Mirabela remains on track to achieve towards the lower end of the production guidance of between 19,000 to 21,000 tonnes of nickel in concentrate for 2012. Capital expenditure is within the full year guidance of US$60 million, with US$41 million spent year to date.
Safety
Mirabela's safety performance included two lost time injuries during the quarter. The Company's safety performance remains strong with the 12 month moving average Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate closing the quarter at 0.82, improving from 0.96 at the end of Q2 2012. Mirabela is continuing to target further improvements to this strong safety record through ongoing safety training and safety improvement programmes.
Production Statistics
Three months ended 30 Sep 2012 | Three months ended 30 Jun 2012 | % change favourable/ (unfavourable) | Year to Date 2012 | ||
| Mining | |||||
| Total Material Mined | Tonnes | 8,947,179 | 10,042,953 | (11) | 29,707,870 |
| Ore Mined | Tonnes | 1,748,416 | 1,504,081 | 16 | 5,026,397 |
| Nickel Grade | % | 0.52 | 0.50 | 4 | 0.49 |
| Processing | |||||
| Total Ore Processed | Tonnes | 1,798,040 | 1,447,765 | 24 | 4,781,097 |
| Nickel Grade | % | 0.52 | 0.51 | 2 | 0.50 |
| Copper Grade | % | 0.13 | 0.13 | - | 0.13 |
| Cobalt Grade | % | 0.01 | 0.01 | - | 0.01 |
| Nickel Recovery | % | 59 | 58 | 2 | 58 |
| Copper Recovery | % | 75 | 71 | 6 | 72 |
| Cobalt Recovery | % | 36 | 35 | 3 | 35 |
| Production | |||||
| Nickel in Concentrate | DMT | 5,441 | 4,276 | 27 | 13,962 |
| Copper in Concentrate | DMT | 1,704 | 1,316 | 29 | 4,351 |
| Cobalt in Concentrate | DMT | 96 | 72 | 33 | 244 |
| Sales | |||||
| Nickel in Concentrate (1) | DMT | 5,381 | 4,787 | 12 | 14,323 |
| Copper in Concentrate (1) | DMT | 1,780 | 1,570 | 13 | 4,799 |
| Cobalt in Concentrate (1) | DMT | 92 | 84 | 10 | 256 |
(1) Includes sales volume adjustments upon finalisation of assays.
Mining
Total material movement continues to be in line with the mine plan and processing plant feed requirements, with 8.9 million tonnes of material moved for 1.7 million tonnes of ore. Mined grades improved from 0.50% during the second quarter to an average of 0.52% during the third quarter, in line with expectations.
Mining activity for the quarter continued to be predominantly in the central zone of the pit with good reconciliation between mined grades and the new resource model. The integrated mine, plant and maintenance rolling six week mine plans are now fully operational and support the full year production guidance.
Loader and Excavator availabilities continue to remain the key focus area for operational improvement. Disciplined planned maintenance programs are continuing on all excavators and loading equipment to reduce backlogs and increase the proportion of planned maintenance hours on a sustainable basis. Steady improvements in excavators and loader availabilities are expected over the next two quarters. The drilling and truck mobile fleets performed to expectation.
Processing
During the quarter 1.8 million tonnes of ore was milled, at an average head grade of 0.52% nickel and achieving an average recovery of 59%. Recovery performance remains in line with the grade recovery algorithm and the quality of ore presented to the plant. The recovery optimisation test work underway in the laboratory, pilot plant and industrial trials is focusing on improving the flotation of the coarse material fraction, with promising results achieved in the laboratory and pilot plant test work completed to date.
The desliming plant was fully operational for most of the third quarter and continues to stabilise operations, recoveries and product qualities, as well as significantly reducing reagent costs. Several planned and unplanned "On / Off" tests conducted on the desliming plant reinforced the benefit of the plant with lower global recoveries achieved without desliming in all the tests conducted. During September a maintenance fire originated within the 20 inch cyclone bank of the desliming circuit, resulting in a four day unplanned shutdown.
During the quarter Mirabela produced 5,441 tonnes of contained nickel in concentrate, 1,704 tonnes of contained copper in concentrate, and 96 tonnes of contained cobalt in concentrate. 5,381 tonnes of nickel in concentrate was sold to Mirabela's off-take partners, Votorantim Metais Niquel S.A. and Norilsk Nickel, an increase of 12% from Q2 2012. Two export shipments to Norilsk Nickel were completed during the quarter, with two further shipments to Norilsk Nickel expected during the fourth quarter. Steady deliveries to Votorantim continued throughout the quarter.
Exploration
(Refer Competent Person Statement at the end of the report)
The successful completion of the Open Pit extension drilling program completed during Q2 has resulted in a significant increase in Resources. The revised remaining Resources as at the 30th September 2012 increased to 204.0 Mt @ 0.49% nickel (Measured, Indicated) and 79.6 Mt @ 0.56% nickel (Inferred), as presented in the table below. The current mine life of 22 years is based solely on the previously stated Reserves of 159.0 Mt @ 0.52% nickel and 0.14% copper as at the end of December 2010 and a mine rate of 7.2 Mtpa of ore.
Santa Rita Deposit
Resources Table - Remaining as of the End of September 2012
| Pit | Classification | Tonnes (million) | Nickel grade (%) | Copper grade (%) |
| Open Pit1, 2 | Measured | 16.0 | 0.50 | 0.10 |
| Indicated | 188.0 | 0.49 | 0.13 | |
| Sub Total | 204.0 | 0.49 | 0.12 | |
| Open Pit1, 2 | Inferred | 79.6 | 0.56 | 0.15 |
| Underground3, 4 | Inferred | 77.0 | 0.78 | 0.22 |
1 Based on a cut-off grade of 0.13% recoverable nickel.
2 Remaining as of end of September, 2012.
3 Based on an average cut-off grade of 0.50% nickel.
4 As of February 2009, re-reported using revised base of pit in October 2012.
The completion of the latest resource update is based on recent deeper drilling under the northern zone of Santa Rita, (14 holes for 9,540 metres); a re-interpretation of geology and structure for the entire deposit; and use of Ordinary Kriging for the Block Model, (with no Change of Support applied). The largest increases occurred in the Indicated and Inferred classifications where Resources increased approximately 32 Mt and 54 Mt respectively. The Underground Inferred Resources decreased by approximately 10 Mt due to some of the Underground Inferred Resource being included within the updated pit shell.
The additional drilling brings the total amount of resource drilling specifically for Santa Rita to 675 holes for 190,660 metres.
Unit Cash Costs
(1) Average payability of 89% |
The C1 unit cash cost significantly improved for the second consecutive quarter, reducing from US$7.37/lb during the first quarter to US$5.38/lb during the third quarter. The improvement on the second quarter C1 cash cost of $6.03/lb, was primarily driven by the increase in nickel production (up 27% from Q2); cost reduction and optimisation initiatives; and the BRL softening against the USD (Q3 2012: 2.03 versus Q2 2012; 1.96). The primary focus for the fourth quarter is to consolidate at the new operating platform achieved by the team over the last six months. Further cost reduction initiatives are underway with the main opportunity areas being process plant nickel recovery optimisation and improved mobile fleet efficiencies.
CORPORATE
Cash and Debt
As at 30 September 2012, Mirabela held balances of cash on hand and on deposit of US$160.19 million. The decrease in cash on hand from 30 June 2012 (US$166.36 million) was mainly due to finalisation of nickel sales that occurred between January 2012 and March 2012 at an average finalisation price of US$8.11/lb compared to an average provisional price of US$8.82/lb (US$5.7 million).
Capital expenditure of US$10.76 million was in line with expectation with the completion of the desliming and crusher projects. During the quarter interest payments on the Banco Bradesco S.A working capital facility and interest and principal repayments on the Caterpillar and Atlas Copco finance lease facilities were made.
Share Capital
As at 30 September 2012 the Company's issued share capital consisted of 876,582,736 ordinary shares. A balance of 4,150,000 unlisted options and 2,144,857 performance rights were outstanding.
The Company issued 11,091 shares during the quarter as a result of the conversion of 11,091 performance rights into shares, granted 16,209 new performance rights and cancelled 546,676 performance rights in accordance with the Mirabela Nickel Ltd performance rights plan.
During the quarter 300,000 options were not exercised at the expiry date and have lapsed.
Appendix 1: Assessment and Reporting Criteria Tables
The following table provides a summary of important criteria related to the assessment and reporting of the Santa Rita Mineral Resources as presented in Table 1 of the Australian code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code, 2004).
| Criteria | Explanation |
| Sampling Techniques and Data | |
| Drilling Techniques | All 675 drill holes used in the Santa Rita resource interpretation are Diamond (predominantly NQ with some HQ and PQ) drill holes for 190,660.3m. |
| Drill sample Recovery | Diamond core recovery within the ore averaged 97.6%, with 98.9% of samples having a sample recovery greater than 80%. |
| Logging | Diamond core was logged into a validated Excel spread sheet logging system and imported into industry standard drill hole database management software. All core was photographed, logged, cut, sampled and is stored at Mirabela's exploration office and core shed in Ipiau, Bahia State, Brazil (within 5 km of the Santa Rita mine). |
| Sampling techniques and preparation | Core is oriented along the bottom of the hole. All samples were taken as half core using a diamond core saw. |
| Quality of assay data and laboratory tests | Quality control for all drilling was carried out involving certified reference standards, field and coarse crush duplicates and blank samples to monitor the accuracy and precision of the laboratory data. Samples were prepared and ALS Global's facility in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Analyses were determined using 4 Acid digest ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometry by ALS Global's ISO 9001:2000 accredited laboratories in Vancouver (Canada), Perth (Australia) and Lima (Peru). All samples returning nickel grades greater than 0.6% from the ICP-AES method were re-analysed using ALS's specific ore grade method. Platinum, palladium and gold grades were determined by 30g Fire Assay with ICP-MS finish by ALS in Vancouver, Perth and Lima. |
| Verification of sampling and assaying | Umpire assay checks were also completed by ACME Analytical Laboratory Ltd (ISO 9001:2000 accredited) in Vancouver, Canada, and Ultra Trace Analytical Laboratories (ISO 17025 accredited), in Perth, Australia. |
| Location of Data Points | All diamond drill holes have been located by DGPS with a horizontal accuracy of +/-0.5m and a vertical accuracy of +/-1m, and subsequently surveyed by contract and/or Mirabela surveyors. All holes had magnetic downhole surveys taken initially at 10m downhole - and then at approximately 30m intervals. For quality control purposes, approximately 100 holes were also surveyed post-drilling by Downhole Surveys DHS Pty Ltd. using a north-seeking gyroscope. The initial magnetic downhole surveys were checked against the gyroscope results with all matching to acceptable standard. |
| Data Spacing and distribution | Drilling has been completed on nominal east-west sections with 40-60m spacing to support Indicated resource classification. In areas, infill has been completed to 20-25m spacing to support Measured resource class and more open spacing 100-120m spacing in the deeper parts supporting Inferred resources. |
| Data Spacing and distribution | The vast majority of the drilling was angled to intersect perpendicular to the trend of the geology and mineralised zone. Roughly 10% of the drill holes were drilled at other orientations for geotechnical, metallurgical sampling or for testing geological and mineralisation continuity. |
| Estimating and Reporting of Mineral Resources | |
| Construction of geological, structural and mineralisation models | A 3-D model has been constructed using industry standard resource modelling software. Lithological contracts, faults, dolerite dykes and the mineralised zone were all modelled into 3-D wireframes then used to populate the block model and flag the mineralised zone composites for use in the estimation process. |
| Estimation and modelling techniques | Ordinary Kriging (OK) to the parent block size (20mE x 25mN x 5mRL) was used to estimate Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, Pt, Au, Fe, Mg and S, based on 3m composited drill hole grades. A recoverable Ni attribute (NiRec) calculated for each composite using a regression equation established from plant operating data was also estimated. All data was transformed into "flattened space" where the OK estimate was conducted. The estimated blocks were then transformed back into their original spatial location, for reporting purposes. Three estimation passes were used for all elements with distance limits of 40m, 80m and 160m consecutively. A maximum of 24 samples and minimum of 8 samples of which no more than 5 were from any one hole was used for each pass. For all estimations a discretisation matrix of 3x3x3 was used. |
| Moisture | Tonnes have been estimated on a dry basis. |
| Cut-off parameters | Mineral Resources have been reported using a recoverable nickel cut-off of 0.13%. |
| Mining factors or assumptions | No mining assumptions have been built into the resource. |
| Metallurgical factors or assumptions | No metallurgical factors or assumptions have been built into the resource. |
| Bulk density | 16,726 core samples have been measured for density from the drill holes used in the modelling and resource estimation. The method used the air dried half core sample weighed in air and then when immersed in water, the results of which were used to estimate the density. Samples were selected from the oxide zone through to the fresh zone with wax coating methods applied where necessary to core samples to ensure representative results. |
| Classification | Mineral Resources have been classified on the basis of confidence in the geological and grade continuity using the drilling density, geological model and pass in which the nickel was estimated. Measured Resources have been defined generally in areas of 20m to 25m drill spacing and in Pass 1. Indicated Resources have been defined generally in areas of 40m to 60m drill spacing and in Pass 2. Inferred Mineral Resources have been defined generally in areas of 100m to 120m drill spacing and in Pass 3. |
| Block Model Verification | Swath plots were generated along east-west and elevation sections and the block grades compared well with the composite grades. Visual 3D comparisons were also completed with the estimated blocks and composited drill hole data, to check that the continuity and grade was reflected in the estimated blocks. |
| Audits or reviews | A high level audit of the interpretation, compositing, top cuts, estimation modelling parameters and classifications was carried out by Coffey Mining. No matters were noted that would impair the validity of the Mineral Resource Estimate. |
Competent Persons
The information in this report that relates to the updated October 2012 Mineral Resources for the Santa Rita Nickel Deposit is based on information compiled by Mr. Lauritz Barnes and reviewed by Mr. Doug Corley.
Mr. Barnes is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and is a Consultant to Mirabela Nickel Limited.
Mr. Corley is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and is a Registered Professional Geoscientist in the field of Mining (Registration Number 10109), and is employed as a Principal Resource Consultant with Coffey Mining Pty Limited.
Messrs. Barnes and Corley qualify as both a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) and as a Qualified Person in accordance with NI 43‐101. Each is independent of Mirabela Nickel Limited within the meaning of NI 43-101. Messrs. Barnes and Corley have verified the data underlying the disclosures in this announcement. Messrs. Barnes and Corley approve and consent to the inclusion in the presentation of the matters and defined Resources information based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
SOURCE Mirabela Nickel Ltd.
Contact Details
Bill Bent
VP Business Development
Telephone: +61 433 790 070
billb@mirabela.com.au
Ian Purdy
CEO & Managing Director
Telephone: +61 8 9324 1177