The Black Angel project is the main focus of Angus & Ross plc. The objective of the project is to re-open the Black Angel zinc mine in West Greenland and to conduct extensive exploration of its 259 km2 licence area aimed at discovery of a significant zinc/lead orebody (“The New Black Angel”).
The Black Angel project is on the west coast of Greenland at 51°14'W and
71°7'N (if you are a user of Google
Earth you can pay us a virtual visit by clicking this
bookmark). It is an old zinc-lead mine, which operated between
1973 and 1990 and was owned first by Cominco of Canada and then by
Boliden of Sweden (last 4 years). During the 17-year period nearly
12 million tonnes of ore was extracted from the mine with average
grades of 12% Zn and 4 % Pb. The mine closed in 1990 leaving behind
approximately 2 million tonnes, mainly in the pillars.The
mine, which is approximately 5 km long, is located inside the Black
Angel mountain (see photo) and its entrance is on a cliff face 600m
above the fjord level (just under the Angel's 'hand'). It was accessible
in the past by a cable car system and we are in the process
of reinstating it for future operations.
Angus & Ross plc was granted exploration rights by the
Greenlandic Government in 2003 and in 2005 commenced preparation
for its first drilling programme. New discoveries were made in the
area known as South Lakes, partially due to the retreating glaciers
possibly caused by global warming (read more about this discovery here).
Two very successful exploration programmes followed in 2006 and 2007 resulting
in drilling of nearly 18,000 metres of diamond drill holes and an
increase in JORC-compliant resource by 2.2 million tonnes. The discovered
mineralised zone is open at depth and along the strike and further
exploration is planned. (Read more about the exploration potential
of the area here.)
In 2007, in parallel with the exploration activity, development
of the mining camp and some elements of the infrastructure were started
(read the latest news from the construction site here).
This activity was mainly financed through a $12.5 -million loan
provided by Cyrus Capital Partners LLP (for details
see our Press
Release)
In February 2008 Wardell-Armstrong International completed
a Bankable Feasibility Study and the Company applied for a 30 year
mining licence, which was granted by the Greenlandic Government
on 21st May 2008. The licence No. 2008/29 is in
the name of Black Angel Mining A/S, a wholly owned
Greenlandic subsidiary of Angus & Ross plc. The company is in
the process of completing a financing package and production and
the first sale of concentrate from the Black Angel is planned for
2010, provided there is some recovery in world markets.
Phase one of the project is expected
to last for 5 years and be followed by Phase Two concentrating on
the 'new discoveries' near the mine. The total mine life is expected
to exceed 20 years based on current geological data. The Company
plans to undertake further exploration which could extend the life
of mine potential.
Phase One commences with the extraction of the pillars from
the old mine. Phase Two will exploit the newly discovered
deposits at South Lakes Glacier area, some 6 km from the existing
mine. The mineralised zone outcrops and, it is expected
that the initial mining activity will be from an open pit.
Read more about:
The Mining Licence
Phase One development
Phase
Two development
Exploration Potential of the area
News from the site in
Maarmorilik
