Re: MAK - Minemakers
Not sure about other producers.
MAK have a pretty good web site. I like a company with a good web site.
Here's some info on the Tin - Tungstan tenaments they've picked up and info on the resource:
TUNGSTEN & TIN PRICE OVERVIEW
After the collapse of the tin producer cartels in the early 1980s, the tin price declined. However, it rose strongly in 2003 and its future seems assured. It is generally considered that the long-term outlook for tin is very positive as identified supplies seem less than projected demand and there is already a significant supply deficit. Until recently, the tungsten price has been fairly stable, with China supplying most of world demand. However in 2005, that country was not able to do so and prices have increased dramatically. Minemakers has a positive view on the future tungsten price in light of world consumption growth, Western mine closures and Chinese export limitations.
TENEMENTS & EQUITY POSITION
Minemakers has purchased outright Allstrong Investments Pty Ltd which wholly owns granted Exploration Licences 27/2004, 28/2004 and 29/2004 and has an option to purchase 55M/1989 over the historic Anchor mine.
AUSTRALIAN SIZE CONTEXT
This area of northeastern Tasmania is one of Australia’s premier tungsten and tin mining fields and Minemakers’ tenements cover all of its major hard-rock mining centres.
HISTORY AND OUTLOOK
The Rossarden or Avoca (containing Storey’s Creek and Aberfoyle), the Upper Scamander and the Anchor or Blue Tiers mining centres in the tenements have historically produced from hard-rock mining about 25,000 t of Sn and 18,000 t of WO3. At recent prices of AUD11,000/t for Sn, and AUD250/metric tonne unit of tungsten oxide (WO3), this equates to a value of over $600M. Production spanned the interval from the 1891 to 1982. Tin quotas in the 1980s and then prolonged weak tin prices caused closure of the mines and the abandonment of the patchwork of smaller tenements which had characterized these mining fields. With minor exceptions, Minemakers has obtained clear title to all of the major fields and deposits in the district. While Minemakers initially intends to concentrate on the old mines, from an exploration viewpoint in due course this will allow the Company to seek further deposits by modern exploration methods without the encumbrance of a fragmented landholding. Significant prospects are evident from the historical reports and plans and exploration success will lead to production longevity.
CURRENT RESOURCES
Further details are presented in the discussions on the individual deposits.
ABERFOYLE
In a conceptual pit to a depth of 110m, a pre-JORC resource estimate of 5.5 Mt @ 0.1% Sn @ 0.06% WO3 was made. This covers only a zone around the main old underground workings and Minemakers perceives considerable upside along strike and nearby.
LUTWYCHE
A pre-JORC estimate of 1.1Mt @ 0.45% tungsten and 0.45% tin is recorded. A shaft to about 40m depth accesses this deposit.
GREAT PYRAMID
Depending on cut-offs used pre-JORC, resources were estimated at between 3.0 and 8.3 Mt @ 0.22% - 0.19% Sn. The system is open in all dimensions and its location on a hill and ridge favours the economics of an open cut mining operation.
ROYAL GEORGE
Based on historic drilling, a pre-JORC inferred resource of 1.2 Mt @ 0.34% Sn was estimated and this is open at depth and along strike. The topography again favours a future open cut operation.
STOREY’S CREEK
The Storey’s Creek mine has lesser surface drilling. However, the extent of stockwork mineralization exposed at surface and indicated in historic plans of old workings and drillholes leads to strong optimism that a large resource, amenable to open-cut mining, can be defined.