From an announcement back in Feb. This is quite substantial and could also explain the growing interest in OXR from instos.
Sepon Project - Silver Resources 26-02 1114 Oxiana has completed an initial evaluation of the silver resource contained within the Khanong copper orebody. An inferred resource containing 20 million ounces of silver has been estimated. Silver contained within the Sepon gold deposits is estimated at 7 million ounces giving a total silver resource to date of 27 million ounces.
KHANONG COPPER BFS
The Khanong copper orebody comprises predominantly leachable chalcocite and oxide copper ores. Oxiana is undertaking a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) in 2002 evaluating the optimum potential development plan for Khanong. Initial studies point to a 45,000 t/a 75,000 t/a leach/sx/ew copper metal operation utilizing Laos hydro-electric power.
Oxiana drilling and metallurgical testwork to date has been focussed on the copper resource. Khanong has also returned robust silver grades and an evaluation of the silver content has recently been completed.
SILVER RESOURCE
Silver resource estimates for the Khanong copper deposit and Sepon gold deposits are tabulated below:
KHANONG COPPER SEPON GOLD DEPOSITS DEPOSIT
Tonnes 45 million 70 million Silver Grade 14 g/t 3.1 g/t Contained Silver 20 million oz 7 million oz
Notes: 1. Inferred silver resources contained within the Khanong copper deposit are estimated at a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade. 2. Total measured, indicated and inferred silver resources contained within the Sepon gold deposits are estimated at a 0.5g/t Au cut-off grade as previously reported.
SILVER PROCESSING AND RECOVERIES
In the gold project the silver will be recovered into the gold bullion. The BFS showed silver recoveries to be variable.
The copper BFS will determine expected silver recoveries front the Khanong copper orebody.
O Hegarty MANAGING DIRECTOR
Within this statement references to resources have been approved for release by Tony Manini BSc (Hons), FAusIMM who has more than five years experience in the field of activity concerned.
ends - AAP
OXR Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
