Itai Ndongwe
Red Rock Resources has begun negotiations with Chinese sales agents for the sale of lithium ores through its Zimbabwe-based subsidiary African Lithium Resources.
From the 10th to the 14th of August, a possible contract miner and partner sent an experienced South African consultant geologist to undertake due diligence at Africa Lithium’s properties in Zimbabwe.
Red Rock chairman Andrew Bell commented: “Regulatory changes over recent months mean that we are focused on sales to the export market, which realise higher prices but require some combination of selective mining and beneficiation.
“Dirk comes to us highly recommended and his depth of experience and knowledge and international business background makes him a good complement to our enthusiastic local team.”
Dirk Benade, a geologist with 50 years of experience, has been appointed as the owner’s representative and a director of Africa Lithium. Benade was the managing director of AIM-listed African Gold and senior geologist of African Consolidated Resources from the time of its AIM listing in 2006 until 2008.
Red Rock intends to establish a substantial footprint in the country and, having secured an Environmental Certificate allowing it to begin production at its first location, will now begin the environmental impact assessment process at the newly awarded location.
The miner will have rights to 94 hectares of land as a result of the development.
The top miner also revealed that certificates for two small extension applications totaling 45 hectares were recently approved in this area.
Registration of two modest extension licence areas of 21 hectares and 22 hectares was recently issued near Bikita, adjacent to a purchased tract whose transfer is under process.
Possession of a registered licence requires the acquisition of an environmental certificate and the fulfilment of additional obligations before mining operations can begin.
All such claims have a 12-month life and must be worked consistently to achieve title renewal. The statute also allows for the conversion to a longer-term Mining Lease.
