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OM Manganese an NT export award winner
Friday , 10 Oct 2008


Diversified commodity marketing, metals and mining house, OM Holdings Limited (ASX: OMH - "OMH") is pleased to advise that its 100%-owned subsidiary, OM (Manganese) Ltd (OMM), was last night announced as a category winner in the 2008 Chief Minister's Northern Territory Export and Industry Awards.

OMH's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Toth, who accepted the award on behalf of OMM, said it capped off a highly successful period for the Company which since 2006 has established itself as a major strategic player in the global manganese industry.

"Our Bootu Creek manganese mine near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory is now delivering 700,000 tonnes a year of high-grade manganese ore into the world's fastest growing commodity market - an outstanding achievement which is a credit to all stakeholders involved with the Project," Mr Toth said.

"The Bootu Creek mine occupies a unique place in the manganese industry and market, because of its size and quality of resource, proven production capability and unconstrained rail and port logistics - which enable us to deliver product efficiently to take advantage of market demand," he added.

"Our strategy is now to double the capacity of the Bootu Creek operation over the next two years, with a A$10 million exploration budget nearing completion this year to increase the resource and reserve base, continued enhancements to the treatment plant, and a rejects re-treatment plant expansion project which will increase the production rate to 850,000tpa by the middle of next year."

Exploration and development of the Bootu Creek resource began in 2001, mining commenced in November 2005 and the first ore was processed in April 2006.

The manganese ore at Bootu Creek is transported 60km from the mine site to the Muckaty Rail Siding, and then railed 800km to the Port of Darwin for export to China, where manganese is in heavy demand for the country's steel and stainless steel industries.

"The Northern Territory Government has been very supportive of the Project and the Company from the outset, and we value the strong relationships we have developed within the Territory, both with Government and the local communities in the Tennant Creek region," Mr Toth said.

"Our continued investment in the growth and development of the Bootu Creek operation is positive for the Northern Territory and the communities of the region," he added.