Submits Plan To Advance Buckreef Gold Project
Tanzanian Gold Corporation (TSX:TNX) and its joint venture partner, The State Mining Company (STAMICO), have worked together to submit an updated mine plan for the Buckreef Gold Project to the Mining Commission in Tanzania.
STAMICO, which is 100% owned by the United Republic of Tanzania (the Government), owns a 45% non-dilutable equity interest in Buckreef Gold Company Limited, which wholly-owns the Project.
Changing circumstances necessitated an updated mine plan, including reviewing the mining license area to accommodate artisanal mining on certain concessions, and the separation of the oxide and sulphide mine processing plants for metallurgical considerations.
As part of the submission to the Mining Commission, Buckreef intends to relinquish certain concessions since this has no impact on the Buckreef concession and Mineral Resources (2.04 million ozs).
The updated mine plan, once approved, will replace the mine plan submitted to the Mining Commission in 2017 as part of the renewal of Buckreef’s Special Mining License. An update of a mine plan is a normal procedure under the provisions of the Tanzanian mining laws.
The company has also reviewed the Buckreef Joint Venture Agreement with STAMICO to bring its terms in line with recent changes in the Tanzanian mining laws and to modernise the working arrangement between the parties (the original JV Agreement was entered into in 2011).
The parties have identified and agreed to amendments to the JV Agreement, which have now been submitted to the relevant Government authorities for further processes. The amendments are subject to the obtaining of necessary Government approvals and the finalization of relevant legal documentation.
One provision in the new mining laws, which provides for the Government to receive a free carried interest in mining projects, does not directly address the situation where the Government already has a significant interest in the mining project, such as in the case of Buckreef where the Government, through STAMICO, has a 45% non-dilutable equity interest in the Project. TanGold is in consultations with the Government regarding how best to address this nuanced issue given the Government’s significant interest already held in Buckreef through STAMICO.
“I have been involved in Tanzania for over 30 years. From the beginning, I have always felt that the development of a mining project requires a close working relationship and sharing of economic benefits with all stakeholders, including local communities, country citizens, partners and our shareholders,” said James Sinclair, Executive Chairman of Tanzanian Gold’s local subsidiary, TanGold.
“We have always adhered to and support local laws related to procurement, employment, the environment and non-corruption. This is why we agreed to a significant shareholding for our government-owned partner when we entered into the Buckreef joint venture.
“We will always strive to support and assist Tanzania to meet its objectives, particularly with regard to the development of the local mining industry, local communities, and national development, including the important artisanal mining industry.”
TanGold CEO, Stephen Mullowney, said this is an important step forward in the development of Buckreef.
“I would like to commend the TanGold, Buckreef and STAMICO teams on modernising our relationship. I very much look forward to working with STAMICO to move the Project forward to reach its full potential.”
Mr Mullowney said the company continues to advance the Buckreef Feasibility Study. SGS Lakefield is in the process of completing its initial metallurgical test work. Terrane Geoscience is well advanced in completing a geotechnical study, which will be crucial in determining pit slopes.
The company has also advanced internal pit modelling. In addition, the Phase III exploration program is ongoing, and the Company will provide an update on the results of both the Phase III exploration programme and various components of the Buckreef Feasibility Study when they are completed.
