Manganese firm to begin commercial operations next year – chairman

TIMES INT'L

Reunion Manganese Incorporated is expected to install a pilot plant at its Matthews Ridge, North West District site for production and shipment of commercial manganese by April 13.

The markets which the shipments will target will test and give feedback to the company. It is expected that the final feasibility study will be filed for approval, making way for actual construction of the plant.

Reunion Manganese Incorporated Executive Chairman David Fennell, who met President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President on Monday, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that construction will commence by August and would be completed in 14 months. Full commercial operations are expected to commence by the fourth quarter of 2014; officials are optimistic that everything will go according to schedule.

The company was granted the mineral licence in 2010 that sets the framework for the continued prospecting by the company, which is gearing up to set up a minimumsized mining operation in Matthews Ridge, Region One with the hope that its prospecting would discover enough manganese reserves to enlarge its operations.

The company’s operations would require the rebuilding of 50 kilometres of the existing but abandoned railway line linking Matthews Ridge to Port Kaituma, since the manganese would have to be transported by train to that port for export.

In addition, the 30-mile stretch of road between the two communities will also be upgraded and maintained by the company. Towards this project, government has committed Gy$ 50 million and work will commence shortly.

Reunion was awarded four prospecting licences (PLs) by government to conduct exploration and development activities for manganese in the North West District.

The PLs cover an area of 45,729 acres and are centred on the abandoned manganese mines at Matthews Ridge and Pipiani which were operated by a subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation from 1962 to 1968.

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