Quarterly Activities Report - 31 December 2015
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
Quarterly Report
for the period ending 31 December 2015
Highlights
Thali Project grows ten-fold following discovery of large soil
anomaly in northeast Thailand
Venture Fast Facts
ASX Code: VMS
Shares on Issue: 316 million
Market Cap: $6.3 million
Current Cash: $3.5 million
(31 Dec 2015)
Recent Announcements
Exploration activity to accelerate following continued success at
Thali
Venture successfully completes a Rights Issue with applications
received exceeding 90% of the offer and 100% take up of shortfall
On-going cost cutting measures sees Venture maintain a strong cash
position of $3.5m
Introduction
The December Quarter saw Venture advance exploration at the promising Thali
Project located within the highly prospective Loei Belt, in north eastern Thailand. In
December the Company also completed a very well supported rights issue, raising
approximately $661,000 before costs, for on-going exploration in South East Asia.
The Company’s continued focus on cost cutting has seen Venture maintain a strong
financial position with cash of $3.5m as at the end of the December Quarter.
Exploration throughout the Quarter continued to highlight the potential of the
Company’s 100% owned Thali Project. Recent soil sampling delivered a ten-fold
increase in the size of the soil anomaly, which now covers over 45 hectares (Refer
Figures One and Two). The soil anomaly defines a high grade copper/lead/silver
system, which hosts rock chips assaying up to 1,860g/t silver and 27% lead.
Thali Project grows ten fold
following discovery of large
soil anomaly
(19/11/2015)
Venture confirms high grade
copper/lead/silver | Thali
Prospect
(22/10/2015)
First pass exploration
identifies rock chip assay
296g/t Silver
| Thali Prospect, Thailand
(08/09/2015)
Riley DSO Project Approvals
Upheld
(26/06/2015)
Copper Prospects Granted in
Southeast Asia
(18/05/2015)
Exploration success defines
additional target | Mt Lindsay
(19/11/2014)
EM defines New Targets
(23/10/2014)
Throughout the December Quarter Venture continued to expand the soil sampling
program, focussing on extending known surface mineralization within the broader
Thali Project. The Company is planning accelerate its exploration efforts over the
coming months with further detailed surface sampling, geological mapping,
geophysical surveys and the delineation of first pass drill targets.
In addition to Thali, the Company has a number of other prospects under application
that once granted will deliver new exploration opportunities within the highly
prospective Loei Belt. The Loei Belt already hosts a number of world class copper
and gold deposits including Kingsgate’s “Chatree” deposit (+5Moz Au*) and
PanAust’s “Phu Kham” deposit (1.3Mt Cu, 1.8Moz Au*) (Refer Figure One).
W: www.ventureminerals.com.au
E: info@ventureminerals.com.au
Venture Minerals Limited
PO BOX 8234 Subiaco East WA 6008
288 Churchill Avenue Subiaco WA 6008
Telephone: +61 8 9381 4222
Fax: +61 8 9381 4211
ACN 119 678 385
ABN 51 119 678 385
*Total mineral endowment which includes the published production till
the end of 2014 and current mineral resources
South East Asia
Venture continues to progress its strategy of targeting South East Asia for exploration opportunities. Venture has
identified an extensive belt of “skarn style” mineralisation throughout the region and continues to target base and
precious metal opportunities.
Venture has established a low cost regional office in Bangkok and will look to continue to build a cost effective
portfolio of exploration projects over the medium term. The Company has had two licenses granted in recent
months and now awaits the granting of several additional licenses.
Exploration throughout the December Quarter continued to highlight the potential at the Company’s recently
granted, Thali Project. Several phases of soil sampling, rock chip sampling and geological mapping have now
delivered a sizeable anomaly covering some 45 hectares (Refer Figures One and Two). The new discovery hosts a high
grade high grade copper/lead/silver system, with rock chips assaying up to 1,860g/t silver and 27% lead.
Table One: Thali Project | Summary of Rock Chip Samples Taken from Thali North
Sample No
BJTL 22
BJTL 46
BJTL 47
BJTL 48
SKTL 003
LOBJ 04
SOTL 02A
SOTL 04
SOTL 05
Copper
(Cu)
0.3%
0.1%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.3%
0.1%
0.1%
0.4%
Lead
(Pb)
11%
1.3%
12%
6.0%
27%
5.6%
0.41%
2.8%
6.6%
Silver
(Ag)
451g/t
283g/t
656g/t
301g/t
1860g/t
157g/t
264g/t
232g/t
296g/t
Pb results rounded to two significant figures, Cu to one significant figure, refer ASX announcement
22 October 2015 for full results.
Having identified a core zone of mineralization the Company has now extended its soil sampling program to the
north and east focussing on identifying additional mineralized areas.
Page 2 of 13
Figure One: Project Map | Thailand
Page 3 of 13
Figure Two: Thali Prospect contoured soils and rock chip results
Silver (Ag)
Page 4 of 13
Image One: SKTL003 gossanous vein from Thali North breccia zone comprising mainly secondary lead minerals with
relict galena bands, assay 0.2% Cu, 27% Pb and 1,860g/t Ag
Image Two: BJTL22 gossanous vein from Thali North breccia zone with secondary copper minerals and relict galena
assay 0.3% Cu, 10.7% Pb and 451g/t Ag
Page 5 of 13
Following early success at Thali, Venture is planning accelerate its exploration efforts over the coming months. Work
will include further detailed surface sampling and geological mapping, a detailed geophysical surveys and the
delineation of first pass drill targets.
Thali Project - Geology
Exposure in the Thali Project area is sparse and largely restricted to saprolite and saprock after porphyritic felsic
volcanic rocks, tuffaceous sedimentary rocks and sericite-altered diorite with stockworks of oxidised sulphide and
quartz veinlets. Mapping and prospecting at Thali North has identified a north trending zone at least 300m long of
gossanous quartz veins and breccias with secondary minerals after iron and base metal sulphides (Refer Figure Two
and Images One & Two). Thali South is more deeply weathered and preliminary work suggests the presence of a NW
trending base metal stockwork vein zone within a porphyritic igneous host. Regional scale geological mapping
suggests the host volcanic rocks are of Permian-Triassic age, and the granitic intrusions of Triassic age; the Triassic
granitoid suite is widely associated with base and precious metal deposits within the Loei Belt.
Throughout 2015 the Thai Government has been amending aspects of the mining act. Included in these amendments
are changes to the gold regulations surrounding exploration and mining. Significant progress has been made on
finalising the new gold regulations, which we hope will be approved and implemented in the coming months.
Following the implementation of the new gold regulations Venture will conduct an assessment of the potential for
its current prospects to host economically significant gold mineralization and if appropriate apply for gold
exploration rights.
Page 6 of 13
Mt Lindsay Project, North West Tasmania
Introduction
The Mt Lindsay Project (148km2) is located in north-western Tasmania (Refer Figure Three) within the contact
metamorphic aureole of the highly perspective Meredith Granite. The project sits between the world class Renison
Bell Tin Mine (Metals X Ltd/Yunnan Tin Group>231kt of tin metal produced since 1968) and the Savage River
Magnetite Mine (operating for > 45 years, currently producing approximately 2.5 Mtpa of iron pellets). Mt Lindsay
has excellent access to existing infrastructure including hydro-power, water, sealed roads, rail and port facilities.
Venture owns 100% of the tenure that hosts both the Mt Lindsay Tin-Tungsten Deposit and all of the surrounding
prospects.
Figure Three | Location Map for Mt Lindsay Tin-Tungsten Deposit/Riley DSO Deposit/Livingstone DSO Deposit
Since commencing exploration on the project in 2007, Venture has completed approximately 83,000m of diamond
core drilling at Mt Lindsay and defined JORC compliant Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources.
Page 7 of 13
Tin-Tungsten Resources
Table Two | Tin-Tungsten Resources October 2012
Lower
Cut
(Tin
equiv)
0.20%
0.45%
Tin
Grade
Tungsten
Grade
(WO3)
Mass
Recovery
of
Magnetic
Iron (Fe)
Grade
Copper
Grade
Contained
Tin Metal
(tonnes)
Contained
Tin/
Tungsten
Metal
(tonnes)
Category
Tonnes
Tin
Equiv.
Grade
Measured
8.1Mt
0.6%
0.2%
0.1%
17%
0.1%
18,000
29,000
Indicated
17Mt
0.4%
0.2%
0.1%
15%
0.1%
32,000
43,000
Inferred
20Mt
0.4%
0.2%
0.1%
17%
0.1%
32,000
41,000
TOTAL
45Mt
0.4%
0.2%
0.1%
17%
0.1%
81,000
113,000
Measured
4.3Mt
0.8%
0.3%
0.2%
18%
0.1%
12,000
22,000
Indicated
5.2Mt
0.7%
0.3%
0.2%
15%
0.1%
14,000
22,000
Inferred
3.9Mt
0.6%
0.3%
0.1%
9%
0.1%
12,000
17,000
TOTAL
13Mt
0.7%
0.3%
0.2%
14%
0.1%
38,000
61,000
Note: Reporting to two significant figures. Figures have been rounded and hence may not add up exactly to the given totals. Full
details of the estimate are in the ASX announcement for the Quarterly Report on 17 October 2012.
Notes:
The Sn equivalent formula used to calculate the Sn equivalent values for the Main and No.2 Skarns is as follows: Sn Equivalent (%) =
Sn% + (WO3% x 1.90459) + (mass recovery % of magnetic Fe x 0.006510) + (Cu% x 0.28019). Whereas for the Sn equivalent formula
used to calculate the Sn equivalent values for the Stanley River South and Reward Skarns is as follows: Sn Equivalent (%) = Sn% +
(WO3% x 1.65217) + (Cu% x 0.34783).
The mass recovery of the magnetic iron is determined mostly by Davis Tube Results (“DTR”).
The Sn equivalent formulae uses a tin metal price of US$23,000/t, an APT (Ammonium Para Tungstate) price of US$380/mtu (1mtu
=10kgs of WO3), a magnetite concentrate price of US$110/t and a copper metal price of US$8,000/t.
Pilot scale metallurgical testwork has been completed on the Main and No.2 Skarns with results indicating the metallurgical recovery
for tin is 72%, for WO3 is 83%, for iron in the form of magnetite is 98% and for copper is 58%. The results of this testwork are stated in
the ASX announcement of August 31 2012.
It is the Company’s opinion that the tin, WO3 and copper as included in the metal equivalent calculations for the Stanley River South and
Reward Skarns have a reasonable potential to be recovered for when the Mt Lindsay Project goes into production.
The resource base at Mt Lindsay is hosted within two magnetite rich skarns (Main Skarn and the No.2 Skarn) which
extend over a total strike of 2.8kms and remain open at depth. Additional indicated and inferred resources have
been defined at the Reward and Stanley River South Prospects, which extend over an additional 1.1km of strike.
Page 8 of 13
In 2012 the resource base at Mt Lindsay was the subject of a Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) which entertained
a 1.75 million tonne per annum operation, producing concentrates of tin, tungsten, copper and magnetite. The study
delivered an NPV8 of A$143m from a 9 year mine life with a capital cost estimate of A$198m. Full details of the
reserve statement and BFS outputs and a list of assumptions are in the ASX announcement of 7 November 2012.
Recently, Venture has focussed efforts at Mt Lindsay on identifying additional high grade tin/tungsten targets in
close proximity to the Mt Lindsay Deposit. The low cost exploration work is part of a broader strategy focussed on
identifying high grade mineralization within trucking distance of the existing deposit that has the potential to further
strengthen the economics of the Mt Lindsay Project.
Activities during the December Quarter
In recent Quarters, Venture has successfully defined eight new targets considered prospective for high grade
tin/tungsten mineralization as well as targets prospective for copper and nickel mineralization (Refer Figure Four).
These targets are hosted within the broader skarn units identified throughout the Mt Lindsay area of which to date
only 10% have been drill tested.
There were no field activities during the December Quarter.
Figure Four | Mt Lindsay - recently identified exploration targets
Page 9 of 13
Riley DSO Hematite Project, North West Tasmania
The 100% owned Riley DSO Project is located 10km from the Mt Lindsay Project (Refer Figure Three) and occurs as a
hematite rich pisolitic and cemented laterite. The deposit is all at surface, located less than two kilometres from a
sealed road that accesses existing rail and port facilities.
A maiden resource statement of 2mt @ 57% Fe was defined in 2012 which resulted in the Company doubling its
overall DSO resource base, including the Livingstone Deposit, to 4.4mt @ 57% Fe.
Table Three | Resource Statement - Riley DSO Project
Resource
Tonnes
Fe (%)
Fe (%)
Calcined
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
P (%)
S (%)
Cr (%)
LOI
(%)
Indicated
2.0mt
57
61
3.7
2.6
0.03
0.08
2.8
7.7
*Refer to ASX announcement on 26 July 2012.
Following completion of the resource Venture engaged independent mining engineers, Rock Team to complete
mining studies on the deposit and produce a reserve statement. With all the hematite resources at Riley located at
or near surface, the study delivered a 90% conversion rate of resource to reserve.
Table Four | Reserve Statement - Riley DSO Project
Reserve
Tonnes
Fe (%)
Fe (%)
Calcined
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
P (%)
S (%)
Cr (%)
LOI
(%)
Probable
1.8mt
57
61
3.7
2.6
0.03
0.07
2.8
7.8
*Refer to ASX announcement on 26 July 2012.
Activities during the December Quarter
Following last year’s Federal Court dismissal of the appeal against the environmental approvals for the Riley DSO
Project, the Company now has unencumbered approvals for any future development of the Riley iron ore mine.
The Federal Court decision in both the original case and the recent appeal awarded costs in favour of Venture. The
Company will continue to actively seek the recovery of all legal costs associated with both cases.
During the December Quarter the Riley DSO Project remained on hold due to the sharp fall in iron ore prices over
the past 18 months. Although the Company made the decision to suspend operations in August 2014, Venture had
already completed extensive pre-production work at the Riley Project putting in place all the necessary
requirements to commence mining. This work has placed Venture in a strong position should the iron ore price
improve and afford the Company the opportunity to commence production with relatively short notice.
Page 10 of 13
Livingstone DSO Hematite Project, North West Tasmania
Located only 3.5km from the Company’s flagship Mt Lindsay Tin-Tungsten Deposit is the 100% owned Livingstone
DSO Hematite Deposit (Refer Figure Three). Livingstone consists of an outcropping hematite cap overlaying a magnetite
rich skarn. The hematite occurs from surface, is consistent in grade and located only 2km from a sealed road which
accesses existing rail and port facilities.
A maiden resource statement of 2.2mt @ 58% Fe was defined at Livingstone in 2011, which was followed by a
positive and robust scoping study. Additional work later in 2011 included blending and sizing testwork and
preliminary mining studies, all of which delivered positive results.
During the second half of 2012 the Company completed a resource upgrade, which resulted in 100% of the inferred
resources being converted to the indicated category.
Table Five | Resource Statement Livingstone DSO Project
Resource
Tonnes
Fe (%)
Fe (%)
Calcined
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
P (%)
S (%)
LOI (%)
Indicated
2.4mt
57
61
5.4
1.9
0.07
0.05
7.0
*Refer to ASX announcement on 26 July 2012.
Immediately following the resource upgrade Venture engaged independent mining engineers, Rock Team to
complete mining studies on the deposit and produce a reserve statement. With the hematite resources at Livingstone
consistent in nature and outcropping at surface the study delivered a 90% conversion rate of resource to reserve.
Table Six | Reserve Statement - Livingstone DSO Project
Reserve
Tonnes
Fe (%)
Fe (%)
Calcined
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
P (%)
S (%)
LOI (%)
Probable
2.2mt
57
62
5.3
1.9
0.08
0.03
7.1
*Refer to ASX announcement on 26 July 2012.
Activities during the December Quarter
There was no field activity during the Quarter.
Page 11 of 13
Detailed information on all aspects of Venture Minerals’ projects can be found on the Company’s website
www.ventureminerals.com.au.
Yours faithfully
Hamish Halliday
Managing Director
The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results and Exploration Targets is based on information compiled by Mr Andrew Radonjic, a full time employee of the
company and who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Andrew Radonjic has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation
and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Andrew Radonjic consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the
form and context in which it appears.
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Mr Andrew Radonjic, a full time employee of the company and who is a Member
of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Andrew Radonjic has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under
consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Andrew Radonjic consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
It has not been updated since to comply with the JORC Code 2012 on the basis that the information has not materially changed since it was last reported.
The information in this report that relates to Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr Denis Grubic, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy. Mr Grubic is an independent consultant employed by Rock Team Pty Ltd. Mr Grubic qualifies as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the ‘Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Grubic consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form
and context in which it appears. . It has not been updated since to comply with the JORC Code 2012 on the basis that the information has not materially changed since it was last
reported.
Page 12 of 13
Appendix One| Tenements
Mining tenements held at the end of December 2015 Quarter
Project
Location
Tenement
Interest at December 2015
Mount Lindsay
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania
3M/2012
5M/2012
7M/2012
EL21/2005
EL45/2010
EL72/2007
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Thali
Thailand
Thailand
70/2558
71/2558
100%
100%
Pak Yang
Thailand
69/2558
100%
Mining tenements acquired and disposed during the December 2015 Quarter
Project
Location
Tenement
Interest at beginning of
Quarter
Interest at end of
Quarter
Mining tenements relinquished
Nil
Mining tenements acquired
Nil
Beneficial percentage interests in joint venture agreements at the end of the Quarter
Project
Location
Tenement
Interest at December 2015
Nil
Beneficial percentage interests in farm-in or farm-out agreements acquired or disposed of during
the Quarter
Project
Location
Tenement
Interest at beginning of
Quarter
Interest at end of
Quarter
Mining tenements relinquished
Nil
Page 13 of 13
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