Base Resources : 21/08/2019 2019 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement (301.2 KiB) View Document

ASX, AIM and Media Release

21 August 2019

2019 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement

Highlights

• The Kwale deposits were reduced by mining depletion during the year to 30 June 2019 with the effect of: o Fully depleting the Central Dune Mineral Resources by 20Mt containing 0.8Mt of in situ HM.
  o Fully depleting the Central Dune Ore Reserves by 18Mt containing 0.7Mt of in situ HM.

• 1. Mining of the Kwale South Dune deposit commenced on 26 June 2019, however negligible ore was mined, having no effect on the reported Mineral Resources nor Ore Reserves (as a consequence of rounding).
• The Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources announced on 1 May 2019 is estimated to be 171 million tonnes at an average HM grade of 1.5%, based on a 1% HM cut-off grade.
• The Ranobe Mineral Resources estimate update announced on 23 January 2019 increased the deposit to 1.3 billion tonnes at 5.1% HM, based on a 1.5% HM cut-off grade, resulting in a 25% increase in contained HM tonnes.

The 2019 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for Base Resources Limited (ASX & AIM: BSE) (Base Resources or the Company) are summarised in the table below together with the 2018 Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources for comparison.

2019

2018

as at 30 June 2019

as at 30 June 2018

Deposit

Tonnes

HM

HM

SL

OS

HM Assemblage

Tonnes

HM

HM

SL

OS

HM Assemblage

ILM

RUT

ZIR

ILM

RUT

ZIR

(Mt)

(Mt)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(Mt)

(Mt)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

(%)

Mineral Resources (Measured + Indicated + Inferred, inclusive of Ore Reserves)

Kwale	285	6.0	2.1	33	2		52	13	6	134	4.2	3.1	25	2	57	13	6
Ranobe	1,293	66	5.1	6	0		72	2	6	857	53	6.2	4	0	72	2	6
						Ore Reserves (Proved + Probable)
Kwale	62	2.3	3.8	27	3		57	13	6	80	3.1	3.9	26	2	56	13	6

Table subject to rounding differences.

Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates in this statement are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 edition). Accordingly, this statement should be read in conjunction with the respective explanatory Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves information included in the following announcements1 for the relevant deposits:

Deposit		Announcement Title	Estimate date	Release date
Kwale North Dune	Mineral Resources	Mineral Resource for Kwale North Dune deposit	1 May 2019	1 May 2019
Ranobe	Mineral Resources	Updated Ranobe Deposit Mineral Resources (corrected)	23 Jan 2019	23 Jan 2019
2018 Comparatives	Mineral Resources & 2018 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement (corrected)	30 Jun 2018	3 Dec 2018
	Ore Reserves
Kwale South Dune	Mineral Resources & 2017 Kwale Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement	30 Jun 2017	9 Oct 2017
Kwale Central Dune	Ore Reserves

1 Refer to ASX announcements available at http://www.baseresources.com.au/investor-centre/asx-releases/.

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Kwale Deposits

The Company's Kwale Operation holds the Kwale Central Dune, South Dune and North Dune deposits, located approximately 50 kilometres south of Mombasa and approximately 10 kilometres inland from the Kenyan coast.

Mineral Resources

The 2019 Kwale Mineral Resources, as at 30 June 2019, are estimated to be 285 million tonnes (Mt) at an average heavy mineral (HM) grade of 2.1% for 6.0Mt of contained HM, at a 1% HM cut-off grade. The 2019 Kwale Mineral Resources estimate has increased by 112% for material tonnes and by 43% for contained HM tonnes when compared with the 2018 Kwale Mineral Resources estimate due to the addition of the Kwale North Dune Mineral Resources, partially offset by mining depletion of the Kwale Central Dune.

The Kwale Central Dune Mineral Resources were fully depleted by mining during the year. At 30 June 2018, they were estimated to be 20Mt at an average HM grade of 3.9% for 0.8Mt of contained HM.

The South Dune Mineral Resources at 30 June 2019 are unchanged from the 30 June 2018 estimate. Following transition of mining operations from the Kwale Central Dune to the South Dune, mining of the deposit only commenced on 26 June 2019, resulting in negligible material mined (0.1Mt) during the year, with this depletion having no effect on the reported Mineral Resources estimate due to rounding to two significant figures. Also, on the basis of rounding methodology, the Kwale South Dune Inferred Resources will no longer be reported.

The North Dune Mineral Resources at 30 June 2019 are unchanged from the 1 May 2019 estimate.

Table 2: 2019 Kwale Mineral Resources estimate compared with the 2018 estimate.

				2019										2018
			as at 30 June 2019								as at 30 June 2018
Category	Tonnes	HM	HM	SL	OS	HM Assemblage		Tonnes	HM	HM	SL	OS		HM Assemblage
						ILM		RUT	ZIR								ILM			RUT			ZIR
	(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)		(%)	(%)		(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)	(%)		(%)			(%)			(%)
						Kwale Central Dune
Measured	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		13	0.6	4.1	24	1		57			14			6
Indicated	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		7	0.2	3.4	25	2		57			14			6
Total	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		20	0.8	3.9	24	1		57			14			6
							Kwale South Dune
Measured	81	2.6	3.2	25	1	59		14	6		81	2.6	3.2	25	1		59			14			6
Indicated	33	0.8	2.5	26	7	52		12	6		33	0.8	2.5	26	7		52			12			6
Inferred	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		0.2	0.003	1.5	27	7		48			13			7
Total	114	3.5	3.0	25	3	56		13	6		114	3.5	3.0	25	3		56			13			6
						Kwale North Dune
Indicated	136	2.1	1.5	38	2	45		12	5
Inferred	34	0.5	1.4	36	3	46		13	6					N/A
Total	171	2.6	1.5	38	2	45		12	5
						Total Kwale Mineral Resources
Measured	81	2.6	3.2	25	1	59		14	6		94	3.2	3.4	25	1		59			14			6
Indicated	169	2.9	1.7	36	3	47		12	5		40	1.1	2.7	26	6		53			13			6
Inferred	34	0.5	1.4	36	3	46		13	6		0.2	0.003	1.3	27	7		54			15			7
Total	285	6.0	2.1	33	2	52		13	6		134	4.2	3.1	25	2		57			13			6

Table subject to rounding differences, Mineral Resources estimated at a 1% HM cut-off grade.

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Ore Reserves

Contained within the Kwale Mineral Resources are the Kwale Ore Reserves, estimated as at 30 June 2019 to be 62Mt at an average HM grade of 3.8% for 2.3Mt of contained HM. The 2019 Kwale Ore Reserves estimate represents a decrease of 22% in total ore tonnes and 26% in contained HM tonnes over the previously reported 2018 Kwale Ore Reserves estimate due to mining depletion.

The Kwale Central Dune Ore Reserves were fully depleted by mining during the year. At 30 June 2018 they were estimated to be 18Mt at an average HM grade of 4.0% for 0.7Mt of contained HM.

The South Dune Ore Reserves at 30 June 2019 are unchanged from the 30 June 2018 estimate. Following the transition of mining operations from the Kwale Central Dune to the South Dune, mining of the deposit only commenced on 26 June 2019, resulting in negligible ore mined (0.1Mt) during the year, with this depletion having no effect on the reported Ore Reserves estimate due to rounding to two significant figures. Mining tenure arrangements continue to progress with the Kenyan Ministry of Petroleum and Mining as a precursor to an anticipated updated South Dune Ore Reserve based on the expanded 2017 Kwale South Dune Mineral Resources estimate as announced on 4th October 2017.

No Ore Reserves estimate has been completed for the Kwale North Dune deposit. A study phase is currently underway to assess the potential for this deposit to support mine life extension.

Table 3: The 2019 Kwale Ore Reserves estimate compared with the 2018 estimate.

				2019										2018
			as at 30 June 2019								as at 30 June 2018
Category	Tonnes	HM	HM	SL	OS	HM Assemblage		Tonnes	HM	HM	SL		OS		HM Assemblage
						ILM		RUT	ZIR									ILM			RUT			ZIR
	(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)		(%)	(%)		(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)		(%)		(%)			(%)			(%)
						Kwale Central Dune
Proved	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		13	0.6	4.3	23		0		57			14			6
Probable	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		5	0.2	3.5	25		1		57			14			6
Total	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-		18	0.7	4.0	24		1		57			14			6
							Kwale South Dune
Proved	39	1.6	4.0	27	1	59		14	6		39	1.6	4.0	27		1		59			14			6
Probable	23	0.8	3.3	26	5	53		13	6		23	0.8	3.3	26		5		53			13			6
Total	62	2.3	3.8	27	3	57		13	6		62	2.3	3.8	27		3		57			13			6
						Total Kwale Ore Reserves
Proved	39	1.6	4.0	27	1	59		14	6		52	2.1	4.1	26		1		58			14			6
Probable	23	0.8	3.3	26	5	53		13	6		28	0.9	3.4	26		4		54			13			6
Total	62	2.3	3.8	27	3	57		13	6		80	3.1	3.9	26		2		56			13			6

Table subject to rounding differences.

Page 3 of 7

Ranobe Deposit

The Company acquired the Toliara Project in January 2018 and is currently progressing the project through a definitive feasibility study. The Toliara Project is founded on the Ranobe deposit, located approximately 40 kilometres north of the town of Toliara in south west Madagascar and approximately 15 kilometres inland from the coast.

Mineral Resources

The 2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources are estimated to be 1,293Mt at an average HM grade of 5.1% for 66Mt of contained HM, based on a 1.5% HM cut-off grade.

Table 4: The 2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources estimate at a 1.5% HM cut-off

					2019											2018
				as at 30 June 2019									as at 30 June 2018
	Category	Material	In Situ	HM	SL	OS	HM Assemblage	Material		In Situ		HM	SL	OS		HM Assemblage
			HM										HM
						ILM	RUT*	ZIR									ILM			RUT			ZIR
		(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(Mt)		(Mt)		(%)	(%)	(%)		(%)			(%)			(%)
							2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources
	Measured	419	28	6.6	4	0	75	2	6
	Indicated	375	18	4.9	8	1	72	2	6		Data not previously reported @ 1.5% cut-off grade
	Inferred	499	20	3.9	7	1	70	2	5
	Total	1,293	66	5.1	6	0	72	2	6

Table subject to rounding differences, resources estimated at a 1.5% HM cut-off grade. *RUT reported in the table is rutile + leucoxene mineral species.

For comparison to previously reported Mineral Resources estimates, the 2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources at a 3% HM cut-off grade are estimated to be 1,021Mt at an average HM grade of 5.8%, containing 59Mt of in-situ heavy mineral.

Table 5: The 2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources estimates at a 3% HM cut-off compared with the 2018 estimate.

				2019										2018
			as at 30 June 2019								as at 30 June 2018
Category	Material	In Situ	HM	SL	OS	HM Assemblage	Material		In Situ		HM	SL	OS		HM Assemblage
		HM									HM
					ILM	RUT*	ZIR								ILM			RUT*			ZIR
	(Mt)	(Mt)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(Mt)		(Mt)		(%)	(%)			(%)			(%)			(%)
						2019 Ranobe Mineral Resources
Measured	398	27	6.8	4	0	75	2	6	282		20		7.2	4	0		72			2			6
Indicated	306	17	5.5	6	0	72	2	6	330		21		6.2	4	0		72			2			6
Inferred	318	15	4.8	6	1	70	2	5	245		12		5.0	5	1		71			1			5
Total	1,021	59	5.8	5	0	73	2	6	857		53		6.2	4	0		72			2			6

Table subject to rounding differences, resources estimated at a 3% HM cut-off grade. *RUT reported in the table is rutile + leucoxene mineral species.

Ore Reserves

No Ore Reserves estimate has yet been completed for the Ranobe deposit. An Ore Reserves estimate will be completed and incorporated into the Toliara Project definitive feasibility study which is in progress.

Page 4 of 7

Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves Governance

A summary of the governance and internal controls applicable to Base Resources' Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves estimates are as follows:

Mineral Resources

• Review and validation of drilling and sampling methodology and data spacing, geological logging, data collection and storage, sampling and analytical quality control.
• Geological interpretation - review of known and interpreted structure, lithology and weathering controls.
• Estimation methodology - relevant to mineralisation style and proposed mining methodology.
• Comparison of estimation results with previous mineral resource models, and with results using alternate modelling methodologies.
• Visual validation of block model against raw composite data.
• Use of external Competent Persons to assist in preparation of JORC Mineral Resources updates.

Ore Reserves

• Review of potential mining methodology to suit deposit and mineralisation characteristics.
• Review of potential Modifying Factors, including cost assumptions and commodity prices to be utilised in mining evaluation.
• Ore Reserve updates initiated with material changes in the above assumptions.
• Optimisation using appropriate software packages for open pit evaluation.
• Design based on optimisation results.
• Use of external Competent Persons to assist in preparation of JORC Ore Reserves.

Competent Person Statements

The 2019 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement has been approved by the following competent persons, as detailed below:

Mineral Resources - Kwale Central and South Dune Deposits

The information in this report that relates to Kwale Central and South Dune Deposit Mineral Resources is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr. Richard Stockwell (for the South Dune deposit) and Mr. Scott Carruthers (for the Central Dune deposit). Mr. Stockwell is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Mr. Carruthers is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Stockwell acts as Consultant Geologist for Base Resources. Mr. Carruthers is employed by Base Resources, he holds equity securities in Base Resources and is entitled to participate in Base Resources' equity long term incentive plan, details of which are included in the 2018 Annual Report. Both Mr. Stockwell and Mr. Carruthers have sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code), and both are considered Qualified Persons for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies. Mr. Stockwell has reviewed this report and consents to the inclusion in this report of Kwale South Dune Deposit Mineral Resources estimates and supporting information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr. Carruthers has reviewed this report and consents to the inclusion in this report of Kwale Central Dune Deposit Mineral Resources estimates and supporting information in the form and context in which it appears.

Mineral Resources - Kwale North Dune Deposit

The information in this report that relates to Kwale North Dune Deposit Mineral Resources is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr. Greg Jones, who acts as Consultant Geologist for Base Resources and is employed by IHC Robbins. Mr. Jones is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) and as qualified person for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies. Mr. Jones has reviewed this report and consents to the inclusion in this report of the Kwale North Dune Deposit Mineral Resources estimate and supporting information in the form and context in which it appears.

Page 5 of 7