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Bindura Nickel Corp (BNC)

Full name:
Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC)
Mwana interest:
Mwana Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited acquired a controlling interest (53%) in BNC from Anglo American Corporation of Zimbabwe in 2003. BNC is listed on the Zimbabwean Stock Exchange.
Geology and history:
The company operates two nickel mines, Shangani and Trojan, which have hoisting and treatment capacity of 1.0Mt and 1.1Mt a year respectively.
The Bindura Smelter and Refinery complex produces high quality nickel cathodes, copper sulphide and cobalt hydroxide. Nickel concentrates and nickel matte are toll treated to utilise spare capacity. Current smelter capacity is 17,000tpa and for the refinery 14,500tpa.
The lives of Shangani and Trojan are estimated to be about two and seven years respectively. The Trojan shaft is being deepened by some 480m to access new reserves and this could extend the life of mine up to 2018. Development of a conveyor decline has commenced at Shangani to access deeper ore on the Far West Orebody. This will extend the life of mine to 2012.
Current status and prospects:
A new concentrator designed to improve nickel recovery and reduce the talk content of the concentrate, is currently under construction. This will replace the Trojan mine concentrator which was built in the early 1970s (excessive talc has a deleterious effect on the smelter operation).
The lives of Shangani and Trojan are estimated to be around 2 and 7 years respectively. The Trojan shaft is being deepened by some 480m to access new reserves and this could extend the life-of-mine to 2018. Development of a conveyor decline has commenced at Shangani to access deeper ore on the far west ore body. This will extend the life-of-mine to 2012. Opportunities are being investigated to expand nickel refinery capacity and to re-establish the copper recovery circuit.

Reserves and Resources

Bindura Nickel Corporation - Resources and Reserves as at December 2006
Classification of reservesTonnage (000t)Grade (%)Nickel (t) Classification of reservesTonnage (000t)Grade (%)Nickel (t)
Proven    Measured   
Trojan6660.795,242 Trojan1,9650.9017,768
Shangani5080.412,108 Shangani6620.432,878
Total1,1740.637,350 Total2,6270.7920,646
         
Probable    Indicated   
Trojan750.75568 Trojan4,4361.8983,792
Shangani5,6350.4626,035 Shangani8000.503,993
Total5,7100.4726,603 Total5,2361.6887,785
         
Reserves    Resources   
Trojan7420.695,810 Trojan6,4011.59101,560
Shangani6,1430.4128,143 Shangani1,4620.476,871
Total December 20066,8850.5633,953 Total December 20067,8631.38108,431
December 20055,6090.5631,184 December 20056,8201.0772,737

Inferred resources below existing infrastructure
Inferred resourcesTonnage (ooot)Grade (%)Nickel (t)
Trojan7,9420.7257,413
Shangani5,2430.5227,442
Total inferred13,1850.6484,855

Note:

Latest news

Trojan Mine

The new Trojan concentrator has been commissioned as from the 1st of April 2008.


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