Metalex to acquire diamond project in South Africa
TSXV-listed Metalex Ventures has agreed to acquire a promising diamond exploration project in South Africa’s Northern Cape.
Metalex has reached an agreement to acquire an interest in the 3 373 ha Viljoenshof prospecting license from Invest in Property 126 (IIP). The license area, within 30 km of the famous Kimberley Diamond Mines, is last known to have been explored by De Beers in the 1960’s, with two kimberlite pipes, two kimberlite dykes and two kimberlites of unknown type discovered.
De Beers unsuccessfully applied for the exploration license over this area again in 2014, as IIP applied shortly beforehand and was awarded the license.
The agreement with IIP entails a staged earn-in for Metalex. Metalex will first fund R250 000 to convert the prospecting license to a mining lease to acquire a 20% interest. Metalex has already engaged ASR Consultants to undertake this application.
The next stage involves Metalex funding an airborne geophysical survey and testing known kimberlites and new targets. Completion of this and a US$10 000 payment to IIP earns Metalex a further 15% interest – taking its total interest at this point to 35% total.
The third stage is drilling of a minimum of 12 holes to test kimberlites, which show economic potential. Completion of this work and a payment of a further $10 000 to IIP earns Metalex a further 16% (51% interest in total).
In the fourth stage, Metalex will fund a bulk sampling of a kimberlite. This, along with payment of $100 000 to IIP, earns Metalex an additional 10% interest (61% total).
Upon completion of a feasibility study on the project, Metalex will earn a final 9% interest bringing its total interest to 70%. Upon the decision to proceed with mine construction a further $100 000 payment will be made to IIP.
The joint venture will be subject to a 10% net profits royalty interest in favour of Verdi Farms Trust.
Indicator minerals collected from the kimberlites suggests they contain rare G10-10 garnets, which support the presence of high-grade kimberlite. Metalex looks forward to advancing this sought after project, located close to the first kimberlite mine in the world.
