MINEX Forum

Tag: Silver

  • Chinese Company to Extract 20 Tonnes of Silver Annually in Kazakhstan

    Chinese Company to Extract 20 Tonnes of Silver Annually in Kazakhstan

    The Liaoning Hongda Group, a Chinese mining company, has commenced the construction of the Burabay-Zhalgyzagas mining and processing plant in the Janakorgan district of Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda region. The facility is set to produce 20 tonnes of silver and 210,000 tonnes of lead-zinc concentrate annually upon its completion in 2028. The project represents a significant investment in the region, with a total cost of 138 billion tenge, and is expected to create over 550 new jobs.

    During the groundbreaking ceremony, regional akim Murat Yergeshbayev highlighted the project’s potential to stimulate economic growth and diversify the local economy. He expressed gratitude to Liaoning Hongda Group for their commitment to such a large-scale and modern initiative. The project aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to transition Kazakhstan to a new investment cycle, focusing on modern production and optimising regional economic potential.

    Currently, drilling works are underway to expand the mineral resource base of the site, alongside the construction of access roads and the establishment of construction sites. The project also includes plans for connecting the plant to electrical grids to ensure a reliable power supply.

    Liaoning Hongda Group has previously announced plans to invest $1.3 billion in the development of two lead and zinc deposits in the Janakorgan district, which will include two underground mines and two processing plants with a combined capacity of 8 million tonnes of ore per year, as well as a full-cycle metallurgical plant.

    Exploration activities at the deposits date back to the 1980s, with detailed surveys conducted between 2010 and 2012. The reserves are classified as C2 category, with forecast resources rated as P1. The average content of the deposits is reported at 2.01% zinc and 1.62% lead, with geologists noting the potential for resource growth at greater depths.

    Once operational, the new complex is projected to produce 420,000 tonnes of zinc and 220,000 tonnes of lead annually, which would significantly surpass the output of Kaz Zinc, making it potentially the largest producer of lead and zinc in Central Asia. The Chinese company has already invested approximately 9 billion tenge in geological exploration, utilising 15 drilling rigs during the process.

  • Vast Resources Completes Reverse Takeover of Gulf International Minerals and Re-Admission to AIM

    Vast Resources Completes Reverse Takeover of Gulf International Minerals and Re-Admission to AIM

    Vast Resources plc, a mining and resource development company listed on AIM, has successfully completed a reverse takeover of Gulf International Minerals Limited. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Vast, as it enhances its portfolio of producing and development-stage projects in Tajikistan and Romania. The completion of the reverse takeover was announced following the passing of all resolutions at a General Meeting held on 18 August 2026, with the re-admission of the company’s enlarged ordinary share capital to trading on AIM set for 19 August 2026.

    As part of the acquisition, Vast has acquired a 49% beneficial interest in the Aprelevka Joint Venture, which operates four active mining licences along the Tien Shan Gold Belt in northern Tajikistan. This venture is expected to yield approximately 11,000 ounces of gold and 130,000 ounces of silver annually from mined ore and tailings. The company has also raised around £7.5 million through a placing and subscription, alongside an oversubscribed retail offer, to fund creditor settlements, professional fees related to the takeover, and the technical development of the Aprelevka assets.

    In addition to the reverse takeover, Vast has undergone a share consolidation, with every 25 existing ordinary shares consolidated into one new ordinary share. Following this, the company will have approximately 1.65 billion ordinary shares in issue.

    Vast Resources has also announced a drilling campaign in Tajikistan aimed at establishing a maiden JORC-compliant resource for the Aprelevka assets. CEO Andrew Prelea expressed optimism about the company’s future, highlighting the potential for growth and the commitment to responsible mining practices in collaboration with the Government of Tajikistan. The company is also exploring opportunities in the broader Central Asian region and plans to restart operations at its Romanian assets, ensuring continued growth.

    This development is seen as a pivotal moment for Vast Resources, positioning the company for future success as it aims to become a profitable mid-tier mining entity with a focus on sustainable practices and operational efficiency.

  • Teako Minerals Launches Field Program at Tynset Copper-Zinc-Silver Project in Norway

    Teako Minerals Launches Field Program at Tynset Copper-Zinc-Silver Project in Norway

    Teako Minerals Corp. has officially commenced its 2026 field program at the Tynset copper-zinc-silver (Cu-Zn-Ag) volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) project located in central Norway. This initiative aims to enhance the company’s existing geological datasets and establish high-priority drill targets in the Storbekken Priority 1 target area. The field program will encompass detailed geological mapping, systematic sampling, and an Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey, with the first diamond drilling expected to begin between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027.

    In addition to the fieldwork, Teako has expanded the Tynset Project by securing four new exploration licenses that cover the high-priority Nonsvola and Vingelen target areas, thereby increasing the strike length of the prospective volcanic belt. The company has engaged Geovisor Oy to conduct approximately 10 line kilometres of IP surveying, set to commence in mid-October 2026, which will play a crucial role in refining drill targets.

    The 2026 field program is designed to improve the understanding of the geological and structural characteristics of the area, focusing on the identification of key lithological contacts and the characterization of mineralized outcrops. The integration of geochemical and spectral data will enhance the interpretation of geophysical results, ultimately guiding the drilling efforts towards the most promising areas.

    The Tynset Project, which is 100% owned by Teako, spans 121 square kilometres and includes 14 granted exploration claims. It is strategically located near established infrastructure, including a railway and national road, facilitating access to deep-sea ports. Historical data from previous exploration efforts indicate a favourable geological setting for Cu-Zn-Ag VMS mineralization, with significant soil and stream sediment anomalies suggesting the potential for new discoveries.

    Teako’s commitment to leveraging advanced exploration technologies and strategic partnerships underscores its goal of addressing the increasing demand for critical minerals while delivering value to shareholders. The company’s focus on the Tynset Project, alongside its broader portfolio of over 60 projects in Norway, positions it well within the competitive landscape of mineral exploration and development.

  • Kazakhmys Begins Construction of Kazakhstan’s Deepest Mine Shaft

    Kazakhmys Begins Construction of Kazakhstan’s Deepest Mine Shaft

    Kazakhmys Corporation has commenced the excavation of the ‘Air Supply-Cage-2’ mine shaft at the Nurkazgan deposit in the Karaganda region, which is set to become the deepest mine shaft in Kazakhstan, reaching a projected depth of 1,284 metres. The investment for this construction is estimated at 32.5 billion tenge. This shaft will serve as a crucial hub for the future infrastructure of the Eastern section of the deposit, primarily aimed at accessing ore bodies located at deep levels, ensuring ventilation for the mine, and facilitating the descent and ascent of workers.

    The project entails a significant volume of work, with approximately 65,000 cubic metres of rock mass expected to be extracted during the excavation process. There are plans for nine intersections with existing levels. The excavation is scheduled to continue until 2031, after which modern equipment will be installed in the shaft, including a cage lift, a main ventilation unit, and a modular boiler that will heat the air entering the underground workings.

    In parallel, Kazakhmys is preparing for a new phase of development at the site, with work on the companion shaft ‘Ventilation-2’ set to begin next year. Once all operations are completed, the finished shafts will form a comprehensive infrastructure for the future extraction of copper, gold, and silver. Geologists estimate that the confirmed reserves at Nurkazgan will allow the mining and processing plant to operate for over four decades.

  • Anglo Asian Mining Achieves Record First-Half Production as Demirli Copper Mine Ramp-Up Accelerates

    Anglo Asian Mining Achieves Record First-Half Production as Demirli Copper Mine Ramp-Up Accelerates

    Anglo Asian Mining Plc has reported record half-year production results, driven by the accelerated ramp-up of its Demirli copper mine in Azerbaijan. The company’s copper output surged to 5,129 tonnes in the second quarter of 2026, a 38% increase from the 3,711 tonnes produced in the first quarter. Demirli alone contributed 3,250 tonnes of copper during Q2, while the company’s Gedabek operation added 1,879 tonnes. Total first-half copper production reached 8,840 tonnes, a dramatic rise from just 1,188 tonnes in the same period last year. The company also generated a $39.9 million increase in net cash during the quarter, ending June with $69.8 million in cash and reducing debt to $12.2 million. Concentrate sales for the first half totaled 58,577 dry metric tonnes, valued at $125.9 million, with Demirli accounting for $71.4 million of that revenue. Gold production reached 12,329 ounces and silver output hit 92,855 ounces in the half year. Anglo Asian has reaffirmed its full-year guidance of 20,000–25,000 tonnes of copper, 28,000–33,000 ounces of gold, and 170,000–210,000 ounces of silver, with Demirli expected to reach steady-state production during the third quarter. The record performance underscores the successful execution of the company’s growth strategy in Azerbaijan’s mining sector, positioning Anglo Asian for continued strong output in the second half of the year.

     

  • Avrupa Minerals Regains Full Control of Sesmarias Project in Portugal

    Avrupa Minerals Regains Full Control of Sesmarias Project in Portugal

    Avrupa Minerals is reaffirming its commitment to the Sesmarias project in Portugal, even as it continues to expand its Finnish exploration portfolio. Sesmarias, the company’s flagship discovery since 2014, has seen significant progress through multiple joint ventures and self-funded efforts. Most recently, Sandfire MATSA supported exploration from 2020 to 2025, yielding impressive high-grade intercepts and expanding the project’s geological understanding.

    Despite these advancements, the project did not meet Sandfire MATSA’s internal criteria, leading to Avrupa regaining 100% ownership. With complex geology and promising mineralization—including intercepts like 26.95 meters @ 2.18% Cu and 28.60 meters @ 1.68% Cu—the company is now focused on securing a new strategic partner to advance towards a potential mining decision.

  • Kingsrose-BHP Alliance Uncovers High-Grade Copper and Precious Metals in European Exploration

    Kingsrose-BHP Alliance Uncovers High-Grade Copper and Precious Metals in European Exploration

    Kingsrose Mining Limited (ASX: KRM) has announced significant progress in its exploration alliances with global mining giant BHP, targeting critical minerals in Norway and Finland. The joint efforts, part of one of Europe’s largest generative exploration programs, have yielded high-grade copper, gold, silver, and platinum group elements (PGEs), signaling potential for major discoveries.

    In Norway’s Finnmark region, rockchip sampling revealed exceptional results, including 29.7% copper, 1.1 g/t gold, and 0.54 g/t palladium at the Porsanger target, and 4.4% copper with 1.8 g/t gold at Virdnechokka. These findings, hosted in sulphide veins, suggest proximity to deeper magmatic systems, akin to Anglo American’s Sakatti deposit in Finland. A 5,067-line km airborne gravity survey and 208 rockchip samples underpin the 2024 campaign, with helicopter-borne electromagnetic surveys slated for February 2025 to identify conductive bodies indicative of massive sulphides.

    In Central Finland, the alliance focused on the Kotalahti Nickel Belt, historically rich in nickel-copper deposits. Drone and ground magnetic surveys covering 4,980-line km identified new mineralized zones at the Rehula target, including a 0.46% copper and 110 ppm cobalt sample. The program aligns with Kingsrose’s strategy to discover new polymetallic “camps” through systematic geophysical and geochemical analysis.

    Managing Director Fabian Baker emphasized the success of advanced exploration techniques and stakeholder collaboration, stating, “These results underscore the prospective nature of these underexplored regions. Our commitment to environmental and social values ensures sustainable progress.” The company has engaged Indigenous communities and conducted biodiversity surveys to secure social licenses, particularly in Sami-inhabited areas of Norway.

    With 2.7millionofa5 million Year 1 budget spent, Kingsrose plans further fieldwork in 2025, leveraging BHP’s expertise to prioritize drill targets. The alliances highlight Europe’s growing role in supplying critical minerals amid global decarbonization efforts.

    Kingsrose, a ASX-listed explorer, holds 100% interests in the Finnmark and Central Finland projects, backed by BHP’s Xplor accelerator program. Forward-looking statements caution inherent risks, but the findings position the company as a key player in Europe’s mineral exploration frontier.

    For more details, visit www.kingsrose.com.

  • Tajikistan Seeks $100 Million Investment to Revive Lead-Silver Mining Complex

    Tajikistan Seeks $100 Million Investment to Revive Lead-Silver Mining Complex

    Tajikistan is seeking a $100 million investment to modernise the Adrasman mining and processing plant.

    The plant’s raw material base consists of the Eastern and Western Konimansur deposits.

    The project’s first phase involves modernising the production facilities, while the second phase aims to increase capacity, construct a beneficiation plant, and build a metallurgical plant.

    The project’s phased approach to revitalising the plant includes the following stages:

    • Year 1: Repair and restoration work on mining sites and the beneficiation plant, procurement of essential equipment (mining machinery, transport vehicles, etc.), with the extraction and processing of 300,000 tonnes of ore and production of 6,000 tonnes of concentrate.
    • Year 2: Preparatory mining works for the next block. Extraction and processing of 500,000 tonnes of ore and production of 10,000 tonnes of concentrate.
    • Years 3-5: Extraction and processing of 1 million tonnes of ore per year, producing 20,000 tonnes of concentrate annually.
    • Year 6: Scaling up extraction and processing to 2 million tonnes per year, with a concentrate output of 40,000 tonnes.

    At the end of the project, the plant plans to produce up to 40,000 tonnes of concentrate annually.

    The concentrate produced by the plant will contain the following primary components:

    • Lead: 31-36%
    • Silver: 2,200-3,300 grams per tonne of ore, depending on ore quality and enrichment technology.

    To increase the company’s capacity, it is necessary to upgrade mine No. 12, which is in need of reconstruction, said company head Sobirjon Mamadjonov to Sputnik Tajikistan.

    The project has been developed by one of Uzbekistan’s geological institutes. According to the business plan, for the revival, upgrade, and expansion of mining capacities, production must increase to 1 million tonnes per year or more, as otherwise, the operation will not be profitable.

    Previously, the Russian company “Formula Svet” expressed interest in the launch of the Adrasman plant in Guliston.

    History of the Plant:

    The development of the Adrasman deposit was first discussed in 1944, when the USSR NKVD, under the direction of the Soviet government, began exploring uranium deposits in Central Asia, including in Adrasman.

    In addition to uranium, the Soviet government planned to extract bismuth and its concentrates at this site. Large reserves of lead and silver were later discovered.

    In 1970, based on the Karamazar mine, the Adrasman mining and beneficiation plant was established, specialising in the extraction and processing of lead-silver ores to produce lead concentrate. The plant’s capacity was over 650,000 tonnes of ore per year.

    In mid-2006, the Kazakh company “Kazinvest-Mineral” acquired 100% of Adrasman’s shares. In 2007, over 200,000 tonnes of lead-zinc concentrate were extracted and processed here.

    However, in July 2013, the Adrasman plant ceased production due to a decline in global silver prices, making the extraction and processing of this metal unprofitable.

    Since 2013, the plant has been inactive and declared bankrupt.

    In 2017, by decision of the Dushanbe Economic Court, Adrasman became the property of the Tajik government, which explained the move by stating that the Kazakh owners had failed to take measures to revitalise the enterprise.

  • Terra Balcanica Resources CEO Updates Exploration Progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina

    Terra Balcanica Resources CEO Updates Exploration Progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina

    Aleksander Miskovic, CEO of Terra Balcanica Resources, spoke with Steve Darling from Proactive to provide an update on the exploration drilling conducted within the Viogor-Zanik project in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The company completed approximately 2,200 meters of drilling, with a focus on a shallow, high-grade, silver-dominated, intermediate sulfidation polymetallic vein system at the Chumavichi locality.

    The maiden drillhole at Chumavichi Ridge yielded promising results, intercepting 824.2 grams per tonne (g/t) of silver equivalent (AgEq) over 4.0 meters from a depth of 29 meters, including 1,634.4 g/t AgEq over 2.0 meters. Another drillhole at Chumavichi Ridge intercepted 816.1 g/t AgEq over 2.0 meters. Additionally, exploration efforts targeted the Brezani area, revealing a surficial auriferous skarn overlaying an Ag-Pb-Zn-Au mineralized, northeast-shallowing structural system, situated above porphyry andesites stock from a depth of 550 meters. Drill testing of the 650-meter-wide conductivity high at Brezani resulted in intersections of 0.61 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold equivalent (AuEq) over 88.0 meters and 0.58 g/t AuEq over 28.6 meters.

    In uranium exploration, Terra Balcanica has acquired licenses on the outskirts of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Partnering with Fulcrum Metals PLC, they aim to explore a 600 square kilometer area targeting Beaver Lodge and basement-style uranium mineralization. Initial steps include airborne geophysics and ground truthing, followed by drilling the ranked targets. Mišković expressed excitement about the potential for shear-hosted gold, VMS, nickel, and copper in the portfolio. The company anticipates a robust stream of news releases in the coming months, reflecting ongoing activities in Serbia and Bosnia, amidst favorable market conditions for gold and silver.

  • Growing value through discovery in the Balkans

    Growing value through discovery in the Balkans

    Terra Balcanica, a junior Canadian explorer of critical metals, eyes untapped opportunities at Europe’s doorstep.

    What do you get when you combine a millennia of mining history, two resource extraction-friendly European jurisdictions with clear paths to permitting mineral exploration concessions, a knowledgeable workforce, and a continent starved for critical metallic resources?

    Add to that a world class metallogenic expertise and a plethora of innovative geochemical and geophysical techniques that helped define grassroot drill targets in less than a year, all of which proved to be mineralised. Welcome to Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. and its ~350km² polymetallic portfolio of the Western Balkan Peninsula.

    Terra Balcanica is a junior Canadian explorer of precious and base metal resources in Europe’s front yard, where it has been advancing five exploration licenses in Bosnia and Serbia. Listed on both the Canadian Securities Exchange, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the company has made strides since acquiring its flagship land package in eastern Bosnia in 2020.

    Called the Viogor-Zanik Project, the 215km² aggregate of licences surrounds the operation Sase mine (Mineco Ltd.) with an annual production of 350,000 tonnes of Pb-Zn-Ag+/- Sb concentrate, and is centred upon a mining district mined as far back as the Roman times when it was known as Argentaria.

    A multidisciplinary approach to target definition

    In slightly over three years, Terra’s technical and field teams have mapped, sampled, surveyed, and drilled two out of three highly prospective target zones within the only Oligo-Miocene manifestation of the highly prolific Western Tethyan orogen in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    The belt, whose mapped southeastern extension reaches Afghanistan via the Balkans, Turkey, and Iran, features world class porphyry copper and epithermal gold-silver deposits (Sarcheshmeh, Sari Guni, Kişladag, Skouries, Olympias, Trepca), and terminates right at Terra Balcanica’s feet as the metalliferous Srebrenica Magmatic Complex.

    Here, a meticulously systematic approach of layering dozens of data sets obtained by months of lithological and structural mapping, combined by those gained from airborne geophysics, satellite multispectral terrain surveys, and thousands of rock and soil chemical assays revealed two genetically distinct, yet equally attractive targets worth drill testing.

    And drill, Terra did. Both the Cumavici and Brezani targets were tested to the tune of over 2,000m of diamond drilling, respectively, with attractive metal grades intercepted close to surface but the story does not stop with Bosnia.

    In neighbouring Serbia and another mining heavyweight of Europe (e.g. Timok District), Terra Balcanica operates two exploration concessions in the historic Rashka district, once home to many a medieval Saxon miner employed by the Serbian kings of the epoch.

    Here, the Ceovishte and Kaludra licences comprise a 130km² land portfolio rich in Zn-Pb-Ag-Au-Cu showings. Particularly interesting is the former, where Terra’s geologists have collected high-grade precious metal samples on-surface that overlay historical workings featuring highly enriched vein-hosted mineralisation. None of the Serbian targets have been drill tested to date, and remain Terra’s immediate focus for the 2024 Phase III campaign.

    As only the second (foreign) mineral explorer in Bosnia, Terra Balcanica is poised to capitalise on regional early-mover opportunities, while remaining a nimble, agile, and cost-effective explorer of choice in SE Europe.

    For many at Terra, discovering mineable resources needed by the world of tomorrow is not just a self-evident mission but an homage to the proud, century-long history of mining in Europe.

    The art of discovery

    Ours is a disciplined and creative team of mining professionals that has demonstrated an ability to make discoveries in places overlooked or abandoned by others, and to leverage these forgotten or neglected gems as incubators of the mining continuum, and value creators for our shareholders.

    Whether it is systematically rehashing volumes of archived data sets, modelling newly acquired geophysical data, or rapidly ground-truthing the rugged vast expanse of the Western Balkan Peninsula aimed at targeting the ‘sweet spots’ – discovery is in our geological DNA. Our leadership group and technical team are fully vested and singularly committed to this goal.

    The Čumavići target

    Within the Viogor-Zanik Project of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina lies the Čumavići target. This shallow, high-grade, polymetallic target area extends for over seven kilometres NW/SE through the project. Tens of mineralised showings which returned assay grades up to 128 g/t silver and 20% zinc are visible alongside historic mining works. Silver-zinc-manganese-antimony all show anomalism in soil geochemistry, coupled with linear magnetic low responses (indicative of possible host structures).

    Terra has completed diamond drilling at two locations and discovered polymetallic veins and breccias returning assay grades up to 11m at 505 g/t silver equivalent (gold-silver-lead-antimony-zinc recalculated to the value of silver) in 2022 drillhole CMVDD004.

    Individual drill core samples have returned values as high as 1,420 g/t silver over 1.7m and 31% combined lead and zinc over 90cm. Terra has only scratched the surface of the Čumavići story and is excited to continue drilling in 2024. As more mineralisation is discovered within the Čumavići corridor it is worth noting the proximity of Terras discovery to the operating Sase Mine, actively depleting their ore reserves.

    The Brežani target

    Just 11km to the southeast, within the Viogor-Zanik Project. lies the Brežani target. A greenfield discovery in 2021, Brežani presents a kilometre-scale mineralised hydrothermal system first identified as a large magnetic anomaly, coupled with over 700m strike length of elevated gold in soil. Drilling at the target has revealed not only that the gold on surface extends down to 88m (results from drillhole BREDD002) but is also host to strong epithermal mineralisation at depth.

    The gold in drill core was consistent at 0.5 g/t, reaching up to 1.5 g/t for six metres. Brežani represents the only gold mineralised skarn (a calc-silicate rock) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is set to grow with further drilling.

    Recently discovered and extensive epithermal mineralisation encountered downhole shallows to the east-northeast, where a similar element assemblage of silver-arsenic-antimony is present within rock and soil samples from a topographic low, coupled with a magnetic low. This offers shallower drill targets for this prospective polymetallic mineralisation.

    Prospective work at Ceovishte

    Terra Balcanica also operates in neighbouring Serbia, where it holds 80km² of highly prospective land in the historic Raška mining district. The Ceovishte Project represents a previously overlooked high grade gold-copper target with surface rock chip assay results up to 64 g/t gold and 2% copper.

    What is in store for 2024?

    As a regional Balkans explorer, Terra Balcanica has proven capabilities of identifying prospective projects and discovery mineralisation. Being on the doorstep of Europe, and given the demand for critical metals such as lithium, Terra has identified a prospective area and is looking to move into the battery metal exploration space.

    The western Balkan Li-B (lithium-boron) metallogenic zone spans for over 1,500km through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo along its path to Turkey to the east. The Serbian portion of the zone hosts Rio Tinto’s Jadar Project, a sediment hosted lithium-boron deposit discovered in 2004 hosting indicated resources of 85.4Mt at 1.76% Li2O and 16.1% B2O3 with further inferred resources of 58.1Mt at 1.87% Li2O and 12.0% B2O3 as of 31 December 2021.

    Terra Balcanica is excited to commence its lithium exploration journey in 2024 and add value to an already diversified portfolio of assets.

    Sustainable mineral exploration practices

    At Terra Balcanica, we emphasise responsible engagement with local communities, municipal governments, and key stakeholders. The company is committed to proactively implementing Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety, and environmental management.

    We are particularly proud of our workplace safety and environmental protection record that include safety trainings, baseline environmental surveys, and regular community initiatives. The goal is to have our employees return to their families safely while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.