kogi iron presentation, page-2

Tan gets to work on Agbaja plan

Something a little more exciting



Michael Quinn, 28 August 2013


Drilling at Agbaja in Nigeria.

HAVING extensive dealings in China in recent years would seem to make Iggy Tan a perfect match as managing director for Kogi Iron, a potential producer from Nigeria that appears to enjoy some strong advantages in its favour as well as a challenge or two.

Kogi’s advantages include the scalability of its resource and the options for infrastructure solutions already at hand at the Agbaja project.

The Nigerian authorities are also said to be very keen for the oil and gas country’s hard rock mining sector to emerge.

The challenges include the phosphorous levels in the resource.

However, speaking at the Africa Downunder conference in Perth this week, Tan believes the latter definitely won’t prove a show stopper. And having just come from the world of lithium carbonate, dealing with iron ore specs would seem, notionally at least, to represent a veritable walk in the park for Tan.

He also indicated to HighGrade.net that there would be no shortage of steel mills in China that would be keen to lock in long term supply arrangements with a company like Kogi.

However, any introduction of a Chinese partner is likely some way off given the value that Tan sees will be seen in Agbaja as the project is de-risked and the business case revealed. First base on this score is due to be reached in the first quarter next year with completion of a scoping study.

Ultimately the aim is for Kogi to become a five million tonne per annum producer in about four years’ time.