In the stope
Ndavhe Mareda, chairperson of the Makole Group.
let it go again. This is not our model.
We have taken our first project,
Chilwavhusiku Colliery, close to
Bronkhorstspruit, from a greenfields
into a fully functional mine, because
we believe that we will be able to add
value, and we can contribute to how
this mine is run. If we just develop
the mine and then let it go, we won’t
have a say in how the mine is run,
which I think is very sad, so our
model is very different.
If we have projects and use resources
from the majors, or from other
international companies, we will give
them value for their money through
off-take agreements, but they must
give us space to develop the mine. We
want to meaningfully participate in
the project. Our model is not short
term; we are not looking at two or
three years. We have a very long
vision. If we can achieve more than
150 years of mining with bringing
mines online in the next two to three
years, then I will be very happy.
To do that, we will obviously need
a lot of funding and support from
the majors and from international
investors. But, I’m realising that the
world is prepared to listen. I hope
BRM can dispel the notion that junior
miners just want to make a quick
buck. Instead, I would like people to
perceive junior miners as having an
interest in developing the project into
a phase that makes this country proud
and that will contribute towards the
economy and society in general.
Can I then say that BRM
will focus on exploration,
development of exploration
projects, and mining?
Yes, that is correct. We take the
project from early development, which
is the pre-feasibility studies, into the
desktop studies, and then the physical
exploration. Once the project has the
potential of moving into a mining
project, we really want to continue
participating and making sure that we
are party to this development. Then
we can have our say in it and we can
put our stamp on it.
What would you regard as the
challenges in the South African
junior mining sector?
There are many challenges when
you start a new operation. The
most important is to deliver on
your promises and to prove your
competence. It’s like when you have a
degree but you don’t have experience,
how can you prove that you can do
the job? We have partnered with a
competent contractor in Stefanutti
Stocks, which solves the problem of
APRIL 2018 MINING MIRROR
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