The Musonoi Project is also located in the DRC, on the outskirts of the mining town of Kolwezi. The project area contains at least 2 known mineralised zones, one of which (known as Dilala East) was discovered as a blind, high grade copper and cobalt deposit in 2007. Following the initial discovery of the high grade mineralised zone, the property has been extensively drilled and has a declared mineral resource of 31.7 million tons at a grade of 2.8% copper and 0.9% cobalt. The mineral resource has been defined to a depth of 600m below surface and indications are that the ore body is open to approximately 1,000m below surface.
A Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) on the project was completed in 2013 and concluded that an underground mine, producing 1,000ktpa run-of-mine (ROM) ore with a life of more than 20 years could be established on the property. The orebody will be mined using long hole stoping methods and the ROM material will be treated in a conventional flotation plant to produce a bulk concentrate, containing both copper and cobalt. The concentrate will be roasted and the calcine produced by the roaster will feed directly to a solvent extraction electrowinning (SX/EW) plant to produce copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide as its final products. Musonoi is expected to produce 31,000 tonnes of copper cathode and 10,000 tonnes of cobalt contained in hydroxide per annum.
Being located within the heart of the Kolwezi mining hub, between ENRC’s Roan Tailing Project and Katanga Copper Company’s Kamoto operations, the project has excellent access to infrastructure that’s needed for mining projects. A high voltage power line crosses the property and Metorex has secured a power purchase agreement with SNEL in exchange for refurbishment of a 50MW hydropower turbine.
In the recent past, the mines around Kolwezi produced over 400,000 tons of copper per annum. Labour is readily available in the area all with the necessary mining, processing and acquired technical skills that are required to operate an underground mine.
Specialist consultants completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project and from the EIA, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was developed. The EMP will be communicated to the interested and affected parties in 2014. Feedback from these parties will guide the final EMP. A concluding report will be issued to the DRC authorities for approval in 2014.
