Epembe

Overview

The Epembe dyke is an intrusive complex consisting mainly of carbonatite and syenite. The calcitic carbonatite extends over 7,000 m and contains apatite (a phosphate mineral) and pyrochlore which contains high concentrations of tantalum (‘Ta’), niobium (‘Nb’) and uranium (‘U’).

To date, a total of 12,000 m of drilling has been completed. Based on trenching and drilling at the 500 m segment of “Sector B” of the deposit, a maiden resource was established. Based on this proof-of-concept resource, the exploration target would allow for an annual run-of-mine of 5 Mt of ore for more than 20 years.

The indicative flowsheet consists of (1) mining, crushing and screening, (2) XRT sorting and (3) flotation, resulting in a mineral concentrate containing about 20% Nb, 4% Ta, 1% U which can undergo further hydrometallurgical processing in Namibia.

Epembe is an exceptional Ta-Nb-U project which is located in a mining friendly and conflict free jurisdiction with no barriers to development. The project has the potential for a multi-decade tantalum-niobium mine with uranium by-product.