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weatherly press release massive copper resource ex Source:- http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=5850468&action=article

Quote:-
(RNS) 2006-11-09 12:25 GMT:
Weatherly Int. - Kombat open cast start

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RNS Number:7877L Weatherly International PLC 09 November 2006


Weatherly International plc
Kombat surface mining underway ahead of possible major project


The AIM-quoted mining group Weatherly International plc ('Weatherly') has started initial work on an open-pit mining operation alongside the underground workings at its Kombat copper mining complex in northern Namibia.

The move to exploit near-surface deposits has come about following the recent take-over of Kombat licence holder, Ongopolo Mining and Processing Ltd.

Weatherly Chief Executive Rod Webster said: "While we are continuing with our work to de-water lower levels of the old mine, the sheer size of our target zone provides an opportunity to transform the Kombat area to a major open cut mine C an approach previously ignored."

Few of the historic underground workings at Kombat extended to surface, leaving a resource up to 200 metres deep that may carry economic grades of ore. Weatherly has embarked on a drilling programme to assess the extent of mineralization along a broad corridor up to 200 metres wide extending east some 4 kilometres from the Kombat No 1 shaft. It aims to complete sufficient drilling by the year end to begin assessing results ahead of full feasibility drilling for a larger open cast project.

Average grades from historic drilling samples are around 1% copper, with a mixture of oxide and sulphide mineralisation. Initial metallurgical work suggests even near-surface mineralisation will provide acceptable recoveries through a conventional flotation plant. There are currently two mini-drills and two reverse circulation (RC) rigs drilling the area, and another three RC rigs are expected later in November.

The initial development work now underway is being carried out by Lewcor Mining, a joint venture between earth-moving contractor Lewcor and Labour Investment Holdings (LIH). The work is expected to accelerate as new equipment arrives on site.

Current underground activity at Kombat is centred on the Asis West shaft, where two drill rigs are actively testing mineralisation in areas already de-watered. Some ore production is in progress, and Weatherly is now building up a reserve base to underpin further de-watering of the mine.

For further information contact:


John Norris, Weatherly International plc: +44 (0) 20 7917 2989
+44 (0) 7929 778 251
Allan Piper, First City Financial Public Relations: +44 (0) 20 7436 7486
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange



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Re-organisations, re-structurings, name changes, AGM, EGM

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