Golden Deeps (ASX: GED) has launched a ‘major’ integrated resource upgrade, mine development and processing study for its ‘high-grade’ vanadium, copper, lead, zinc and silver deposits in the Otavi Mountain Land of northern Namibia.
This two-stage, Scoping then Pre-Feasibility Study, will be commenced in order to examine the viability of mining at the Abenab underground and Nosib open-pit resources to produce vanadium products used in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) along with copper, lead, zinc and silver by-products.
Commenting on the program, Golden Deeps CEO Jon Dugdale said: “We are very excited to initiate this major Study into the development of an integrated mining and processing battery-metals production project in the Otavi Mountain Land of Namibia.
This study will establish the viability of producing high-grade vanadium concentrate with copper, lead, zinc and silver, for downstream processing to produce high-value battery metals products for the rapidly growing renewable energy battery industries globally.
“This study will establish the viability of producing high-grade vanadium concentrate with copper, lead, zinc and silver”
We see this as just the start of our integrated development strategy, that, through establishing mining and processing operations in parallel with an aggressive exploration program, will grow our resource base and allow us to expand production from a centralised processing operation.”
The company notes that Bara Consulting of Johannesburg, South Africa will undertake stage 1 of the study, which will integrate resource estimation work being carried out by Shango Solutions with metallurgical testwork and initial mining studies to underpin preliminary mining, infrastructure and processing design and costs leading into Stage 2 of the study.
In addition, Golden Deeps believes that the Pre-Feasibility Study will establish the value and viability of developing this multi-element operation, providing support for a Definitive Feasibility Study.
The Abenab Vanadium-Lead-Zinc Project is located within the Otavi Mountain Lands of Northern Namibia, and covers a total land area of 102.51km², with the company owning an 80% interest in all associated tenements.
Located 20km southwest of the Abenab Project, the Nosib Block Prospect encompasses a zone of shallow, high-grade vanadium, copper, lead, silver mineralisation that has be subject to multiple diamond drilling programs.
Golden Deeps reports that it will undertake follow-up drilling at its Khusib Springs copper-silver deposit in Namibia while its awaits commencement of Stage 1 of the Pre Feasibility Study at Abenab and Nosib.
Images: Golden Deeps Limited
