MMG Lane Xang Minerals Ltd (LXML) Sepon was awarded runner-up for Best Mineral Processing Operation in the first ASEAN Minerals Awards. The award recognisesASEAN mining firms for responsible and environmental friendly mining practices. 

FYI Resources has completed the first level of a review of targeted potash project in Laos, which included a study of the logistics and energy options in-country with the company now focusing on further development options.

PRODUCTION of copper cathode at MMG Limited’s Sepon Copper Project in Laos continues to encourage the company as the operation is in transition to lower grade and more complex ores. Production during the December quarter was 10% higher than the corresponding period of 2016 and 12% higher than the previous quarter.

PANAUST Limited is seeking to build on the success of its Phu Kham and Ban Houayxai operations in Laos by exploring other parts of its 2600sqkm contract area. Both operations recorded strong production results in 2016 with Phu Kham also reporting that it has achieved more than 21 months of operations without a lost time injury.

CANADA Rare Earth Corporation has entered into an agreement to purchase 60% of the shares of a Lao company, LaosCo, which owns a rare earth separation refinery in Laos. The full capability refinery is designed to process monazite rare earth concentrate and separate the concentrate into the entire spectrum of commercially traded rare earths including light and heavy elements.

SAMPLES from the Sino-Lao Potash Project are being tested as part of FYI Resources’ due diligence investigations for the project. FYI is considering a joint venture in the project, which is southeast of Vientiane and directly across the Mekong River from its major target areas in Thailand.

MMG LXML Sepon, in partnership with the Lao Ministry of Defence, NRA and UXO Lao, is improving unexploded ordinance (UXO) clearance standards in Laos by enhancing the capacity of Lao UXO technicians. MMG has also recently introduced a new item of equipment to enhance UXO detection at Sepon mine.

PANAUST has reported strong March quarter production and cost performances at its Phu Kham and Ban Houayxai operations in Laos. Phu Kham produced a record 21,146 tonnes of copper at a C1 cost of US$1.05 per pound after precious metal credits that include record gold production of 29,745 ounces. The all-in sustaining cost (AISC) was US$1.50 per pound.

A FLEET of Volvo Construction Equipment machines is working at the Hongsa Power Plant in Laos to ensure the project is completed on time. When completed in 2016, the plant’s steam powered generator will be fuelled by lignite and have the capacity to generate more than 1878 MW a day – more than any existing power plants in Laos. The plant will provide electricity across Laos and Thailand.

MMG’s Laos operating company MMG LXML Sepon achieved quarterly records in processing, production and sales for the December quarter of 2014. The Sepon operation produced 24,055 tonnes of copper cathode, 11% higher than the previous quarter due to record tonnes milled and consistent operations.

Major transport group Linfox has been contracted to transport copper concentrate for leading copper and gold producer Phu Bia Mining in South East Asia. Phu Bia is a Lao-registered subsidiary of Australian company PanAust Ltd and operates the Phu Kham and Ban Houayxai projects in Laos.

The Government of Lao PDR and the World Bank Group last week signed two separate agreements worth up to US$50 million. The agreements provide World Bank funding which will benefit small-medium firms (SMEs), hydro power and mining.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$8.9 million grant and a US$8.9 million credit in additional financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Technical Assistance for Capacity Building in the Hydropower and Mining Sectors Project in Laos.

Chinalco Yunnan Copper Resources (CYU) is taking steps to abandon its exploration projects in Laos and intends to focus on its projects in the Mount Isa region of northwest Queensland.

AMANTA Resources and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) have agreed to amend the Joint Exploration Agreement (JEA), covering the Luang Namtha project, in northern Laos. The amendment will see JOGMEC convey 10% from its equity interest in the project to Amanta for the sum of $100,000, increasing Amanta’s interest to 57.3%.

JOINT venture partners Aurum Inc and Argonaut Resources are seeking to renew the exploration permit for the Century gold concession in western Laos, next to the Mekong River and Thai border. The permit expired during the 2013 financial year and the JV is going through the renewal process with the Laos Government.

MMG Limited subsidiary MMG LXML Sepon, which operates the Sepon Copper Project in Savannakhet province, has completed a restructure to ensure it will continue to deliver strong returns. The outcome resulted in the reduction of 360 Lao positions and more than 60 expatriate technical advisory positions with more than 30% of the expatriate workforce reduced.

TRIPLE Plate Junction (TPJ) has signed a licence agreement with Newmont Exploration, a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation, which grants TPJ access to Newmont’s proprietary database covering various exploration activities in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia. TPJ also intends to change its name to Aurasian Minerals plc.

THE journey of PanAust from junior explorer to successful ASX 200 mining company can be largely attributed to its successful operations in Laos. The Phu Kham copper-gold and Ban Houayxai gold-silver projects have seen PanAust’s Lao-registered company, Phu Bia Mining, become an important part of the Lao economy, both in terms of contributions to GDP and exports.

LAOS is reviewing a ban on new mining concessions that had been due to last until 2015 in a move aimed at opening up the country to mining investment again over the next two years. Laos suspended all new mining concessions two years ago, in response to concerns over the environmental and social impact of certain projects.