TSX: TVI OTCQX: TVIPF
CALGARY, Feb. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - TVI Pacific Inc. (TSX:TVI) (OTCQX:TVIPF)
(TVI or the Company) and its Philippine operating affiliate, TVI
Resource Development (Phils.), Inc. (TVIRD) are pleased to introduce
the management committee and Project Execution/Technology Development
team for their joint venture projects with Mindoro Resources Ltd.
(Mindoro). TVI and Mindoro have signed four joint venture agreements,
previously announced on October 1, 2012, relating to the Agata and Pan
de Azucar mining projects located in the Philippines on the Islands of
Mindanao and Panay, respectively. The Mindoro joint venture projects
are a significant opportunity for TVI, as detailed in a news release on
February 7, 2013.
TVI is proud to announce that it has assembled a Project
Execution/Technology Development team composed of highly experienced
professionals, many of whom were most recently involved in development
of an atmospheric tank leach process that is specifically suited to the
extraction of nickel from tropical nickel laterite ore. The tank
leaching technology is cost-effective, commercially viable and has low
environment impact. TVI expects that this strong Project
Execution/Technology Development team will realize the potential of the
Mindoro joint venture projects more cost effectively and more
efficiently, and in a shorter time period than would otherwise be
possible. In addition, the Mindoro joint venture projects will be
overseen by a management committee comprising members of the senior
team of both Mindoro and TVIRD who have proven experience in the design
and operation of projects in the Philippines, as well as a
representative of the Minerals Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA)
holder, Minimax.
The managing committee for the Agata and Pan de Azucar mining projects
includes: Atty. Eugene T. Mateo, President, TVIRD, Luis Jovito A.
Santos, Vice President for Finance, TVIRD, Yulo Perez, Vice President
for Operations and Chief Operating Officer, TVIRD, Tony Climie, Chief
Executive Officer, Mindoro and Ma. Pauline De Guzman-Lague
(representing the MPSA holder, Minimax).
Yulo Perez, Vice President for Operations & Chief Operating Officer,
TVIRD
Mr. Perez joined TVIRD in 2004 and has over 30 years of mining
experience both in the Philippines and abroad and with various mining
commodities, including copper, zinc, iron, gold and lateritic nickel.
Most notably, Mr. Perez spent 13 years at a large lateritic nickel
project operated by a major international mining company in Indonesia
where his last position was Mine Manager.
Mr. Perez is responsible for all aspects of TVIRD's mining projects and
operations and oversees the operations and development of the Canatuan
mine. Mr. Perez led the team that expanded the gold mine and processing
plant to full commercial operations, later converting the plant into a
copper and zinc ore mining and processing facility. Mr. Perez
established operating management systems and processes at the Canatuan
mine and is instrumental in managing the highly complex metallurgical
nature of the Canatuan ore, ensuring it is within market
specification. During Mr. Perez's tenure at TVIRD, the Canatuan mine
has exceeded production expectations in both the gold and copper/zinc
operations. To date, the copper/zinc mine has produced over 106
million pounds of copper equivalent contained in concentrates and is
estimated to produce up to 170 million lbs Cu Eq, or about 83% more
than that estimated in the original feasibility study. Doré production
from the first gold plant produced over 135,000 ounces of gold
equivalent during the first four years of gold operations, 10% more
than the original gold operations feasibility study had projected. Under Mr. Perez' tenure, the operations have consistently been awarded
top national awards in recognition of exemplary safety and
environmental performance. Mr. Perez will oversee the activities of the
Project Execution/Technology Development team for the Mindoro projects.
The Project Execution/Technology Development team reports to the
Projects Director and comprises the following people:
Gary Leighton, (B.Sc. in Mining Engineering), Projects Director
Mr. Leighton has over 43 years of large-scale project management
experience, including both open pit and underground mining experience.
His most recent engagement in the Philippines was as the Project
Director for the rehabilitation of the Carmen Copper, 42,000 tpd open
pit mine and concentrator, which had been closed for 15 years. He is a
Mining Engineer graduate from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr.
Leighton has extensive international experience in the Philippines,
Brazil, Canada, Chile, U.S., Mali, Indonesia, South Africa and
Australia. He has a diverse working knowledge of gold, silver, copper,
iron ore, manganese, aluminum and coal projects, design, construction
and operations. Including as the Construction Manager of the Escondida
Copper Concentration, Pipeline and Ship Loading Facilities and as the
General Manager of the Zaldivar SX/EW Copper Project both in Chile. His
team was also responsible to open the P.T. Arutmin Coal Mining
Operation in Indonesia, now producing in excess of 18 million tonnes of
coal annually.
Mr. Leighton will be directing and coordinating the project team to
ensure that the work programs and budgets perform according to the
approved plan. The initial focus will be the direct shipping ore (DSO)
operations to generate early cash flow, followed by the development of
the nickel plant.
Vincent Smith, M.Sc. Chemical Eng., Project Metallurgist
Mr. Smith has over 20 years of experience in metallurgical process
development, operations and design across 50 mine sites encompassing 15
countries. For the past five years, Mr. Smith was the Group Technology
Manager for ENK, and in this role, was responsible for all aspects of
ENK's process technology development, viz. bench and pilot scale
testing, flow-sheet development and process design for heap and
atmospheric tank leaching of nickel laterite ore, as well as downstream
recovery and purification of nickel and cobalt from the resulting
pregnant leach solution. Additionally, Mr. Smith was responsible for
the process plant technology and capital costing package that formed an
integral part of ENK's Bankable Feasibility Study for the Acoje nickel
laterite project in the Philippines.
Recently, Mr. Smith has developed a unique nickel laterite extraction
and recovery process that is directly and immediately applicable to the
Mindoro nickel processing plant project.
Vicki Smith, B.Sc. Chemical Eng., Project Metallurgist
Ms. Smith has over 15 years of experience in metallurgical process
development, operations and design across 25 mine sites spanning 12
countries. During the past five years, Ms. Smith was the Technology
Manager for ENK's Acoje project in the Philippines. In this role, she
set up a state-of-the-art test facility at the Acoje project site and
was responsible for the management and operation of this facility. The
test-work conducted at this facility allowed the development of
processes that are uniquely suited to extracting and recovering nickel
and cobalt from tropical laterite ore. Additionally, Ms. Smith was
responsible for all test-work and METSIM mass and energy balance
modeling for ENK's Acoje project Bankable Feasibility Study. All
process plant design and equipment sizing was based on the METSIM mass
and energy balance.
Ms. Smith has developed a detailed METSIM model for the unique nickel
laterite process of which she is a co-developer. This model will be
incorporated into the Mindoro nickel processing plant design in a way
that will significantly fast-track project development.
Nico van Niekerk, B.Tech. Civil Eng., Project Engineer
Mr. van Niekerk has over 15 years of extensive international experience
in various phases of multi-disciplinary project engineering and
construction implementation. During the past 12 years, Mr. van Niekerk
developed infrastructure, engineering and construction solutions across
various mine sites in 15 countries, including the Acoje Nickel Project
in the Philippines, where he was the engineering manager.
Dallas Cox B.E.(Mining) MAusIMM(CP), Mining Consultant
Mr. Cox has over 31 years of experience in the mining industry. He has
a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of New South Wales
and holds First Class and Manager's Certificates of Competency in
Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. He has a broad range of
international experience across Australia, Philippines, China,
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia and Bolivia.
Mr. Cox's experience in the nickel industry in Asia includes involvement
with Queensland Nickel's Greenvale Nickel Project, Acoje Nickel Project
(Rusina/ENK), Caga4 Nickel Project (PGMC), Verdent Vale Nickel Project
(Bukidnon) and Çaldağ Nickel Project (ENK) in Turkey. He has been
involved in various capacities with 12 projects in the Philippines
since 2006, including Masbate Gold Project, Rapu Rapu Project, Didipio
Gold Project, Nalesbitan Gold Project, Kay Tanda Gold Project and
Runruno Gold Project.
He has worked with over 34 small and developing resource companies since
2004 as an independent mining engineer, providing technical services
and operational support on 51 projects. He has carried out due
diligence studies for Deutsche Bank and NI43-101 reports for TSX listed
companies. Mr. Cox has been involved with Mindoro's nickel deposits in
Agusen del Norte and their Pan de Azucar pyrite deposit, periodically,
since 2007.
Peter Wallwin - PWA Limited - Process Consultant
Mr. Wallwin has over 36 years of experience in mining and minerals
processing with companies such as Goldfields, Messina Limited and was a
founder member of Time Mining, a project management and development
group in 1990. Mr. Wallwin started PWA in late 1999, as a process
consultancy operating internationally, which has developed to include,
in conjunction with its associates, project development in recent
years. He has held numerous positions and directorships, including
general manager of an underground gold mine, project director, research
and development manager and has project managed many successful
projects from development to commissioning. The client list of PWA
Limited includes many top international companies as well as many
smaller innovative operators.
Mr. Wallwin has a wide range of experience in base and precious metals
as well as coal and diamonds. A great deal of the technology that is
applied to the innovative nickel processing method to be used to treat
the Agata ore was developed for the ENK Acoje project by adapting these
technologies. This provides an innovative process solution for the
client based on sound and demonstrable principles. PWA Limited is based
in Malaysia and is thus well acquainted with and ideally situated to
service Asia.
Robert Jay Nelson, BS Civil Engineering, Vice President for Environment
and Civil Works, TVIRD
Mr. Nelson is a Civil Engineer by training with 35 years of experience
in the field of consulting engineering. He has been associated with
TVIRD as a consultant and corporate officer since 1995. His primary
area of responsibility is environmental management and civil
engineering projects associated with permitting and environmental
controls.
For the past 22 years, Mr. Nelson has been working within Asia and has
been a resident in the Philippines since 1994. During his time in Asia,
he has participated in environmental assessments and impact analysis as
well as design-build waste management projects within Micronesia,
hydropower feasibility studies, design and construction management in
the Philippines and China, environmental cleanup assessments and
cleanup programs for industrial sites in the Philippines and municipal
water supply planning. During his time with TVIRD, he has been
responsible for the preparation of project Environmental Impact
Statements, Permitting and Environmental Work Programs. He was also
responsible for the design and construction of six dams and tailings
disposal facilities. Prior to moving to Asia, Mr. Nelson participated
in the development of environmental management programs, civil
engineering design and construction of facilities at mining projects
throughout the western United States and the Caribbean. He has a degree
in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and Masters
Program in Water Resources engineering. He is a registered civil
engineer in the United States and held previous positions as an
Associate with Dames & Moore and Partner with Knight Piesold
Consulting.
Mr. Nelson will be assisting the Execution/Technology Development team
with respect to environmental permitting, environmental management
programs, impact and risk assessment and the design and construction of
civil engineering features.
Renne P. Subido, B.Sc. (Commerce), CPA, Vice President for Corporate
Social Commitments, TVIRD
Mr. Subido is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of
professional experience working in both private and government sectors
in the area of management, enterprise development, trade and investment
promotion, business support organizations, agribusiness and banking.
Before joining TVIRD, he worked as the Deputy Program Manager for
Business Growth Division for the USAID's GEM 3 Program, a United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project in
collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Mr.
Subido has been with TVIRD for 2.5 years. During his tenure at TVIRD he
pioneered sustainability projects focused to enterprise development,
capacity building and establishing partnerships aimed to increase sense
of ownership among the projects' stakeholders.
Mr. Subido will be assisting the Execution/Technology Development team
in establishing positive relations with the communities surrounding the
Mindoro projects and in establishing sustainable (alternative
livelihood) development programs in particular.
Edsel M. Abrasaldo, B.S. Geology, Vice President, MRL Nickel
Philippines, Inc.
Mr. Abrasaldo has over 35 years of work experience in exploration and
mining in the Philippines. He joined Mindoro as one of its pioneer
employees in 1997, when the company first began to work in the country.
Prior to his work with Mindoro, he was involved in the country-wide
exploration for chromite with Philchrome Mining Corporation in
joint-venture with Amax, Inc. and Kawasaki Steel from 1977 to 1986; and
for copper-gold, gold, platinum group, manganese and non-metallic
deposits with the Minimax group of companies from 1986 to 1997. The
chromite exploration culminated in the discovery and operation of the
J.E. Thompson Mine in Palawan, where state-of-the-art 40-TPH alluvial
chromite processing facilities were set up by Kawasaki Steel. Mr.
Abrasaldo ultimately managed the said mining operations in the early to
mid-80's.
Mr. Abrasaldo became Exploration Manager of the Minimax group, which had
joint-ventures with various Indonesian, Australian and English mining
and exploration companies. He was involved in the identification of
gold and copper-gold prospects in the Surigao District, Iloilo and
Camarines Sur, which were joint-ventured by Minimax with Mindoro. His
work with Minimax gave him exposure in managing country-wide
exploration programs, overseeing one of the largest mining tenement
holdings in the Philippines and vast experience in negotiating with a
broad spectrum of mining and exploration stakeholders. Along with Mr.
Subido, Mr. Abrasaldo will assist the Execution/Technology Development
team in community relations specifically helping establish positive
communication with the local government units ("LGUs").
The laterite DSO is expected to start commercial operation beginning in
late 2013 depending on the approval of the Declaration of Mining
Project Feasibility and the port development permit, among other
things. The feasibility study for the nickel processing plant is
underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2013, while plant
construction is expected to commence in 2014 with the
commissioning/commercial production of nickel hydroxide product in
2015, depending on the obtaining of permits in a timely manner, among
other things.
About TVI Pacific Inc. (TSX: TVI) (OTCQX: TVIPF)
TVI Pacific Inc. is a publicly-traded Canadian company that is focused
on the production, development, exploration and acquisition of resource
projects in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. TVI produces copper and
zinc concentrates from its Canatuan mine. TVI is a partner/operator in
several joint venture projects in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea
and also has an interest in an offshore Philippine oil property.
Forward-looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information (referred
to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements
are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"anticipate", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "scheduled", "expect",
"may", "will", "should", or similar words suggesting future activities
or outcomes. The forward-looking statements set out in this news
release include information relating to the Agata joint ventures;
opportunities for exploration, development and commercialization of the
Agata Mining Project (including the High Fe and Limestone DSO/Lime
Production Facility and the Agata Nickel Processing Plant).
Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual events or outcomes to differ
materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to: (A) results of further work in pursuing the conceptual planning
described in this news release not supporting current expectations as
to the opportunities outlined; (B) TVIRD not funding the necessary
expenditures at Agata to advance the projects or earn an interest under
the joint venture agreements due to, among other things (i) changes in
TVIRD's strategic priorities, due diligence findings, changes in laws
or regulations affecting mining operations in the Philippines
(including the profitability of such operations), and other factors,
(ii) changes in TVIRD budgets and (iii) limited availability of funds;
(C) a determination on the part of TVIRD not to pursue projects
contemplated by one or more of the joint venture agreements noted above
for technical, economic, legal or other reasons (including, without
limitation, a failure to obtain required permits or other governmental
or regulatory approvals); and (D) certain other risks identified
elsewhere in TVI's public filings, including, without limitation, those
risk factors set forth at pp. 46-52 of TVI's annual information form
dated March 20, 2012. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this news
release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted
or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made
as of the date hereof and TVI does not undertake any obligation to
update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking
statements, except as required by applicable Canadian securities law.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the
information contained herein.
SOURCE: TVI Pacific Inc.