The graphite mineralisation occurs in Archean basement rocks of the Mozambique Belt system which principally comprise metamorphic rocks ranging from schist to gneisses including marbles, amphibolite, graphitic schist, mica and kyanite schist, acid gneisses, hornblende, biotite and garnet gneisses, quartzite, granulite, and pegmatite veins.

Exploration has focused on areas where there is no or minimal overlying younger sedimentary sequences remaining (mostly Cretaceous sandstones and conglomerates).

The ore zones at Bunyu (Namangale) are relatively wide, tabular deposits which are favourable for mining as dilution will be low and this dilution is likely to carry economic graphite material. Dilution and recovery of the ore zone were estimated at 5% and 95% respectively. Therefore the Bunyu (Namangale) deposits are suited to conventional open pit mining methods, of drill & blast, load & haul. Separate fleets will be used for Bunyu (Namangale) North and South due to the distance between the mining areas.

The proposed mining method is a conventional, drill, blast, load and haul, open pit with waste material stacked in waste dumps. Mining is to be undertaken by a contractor under the control and management of VGT personnel and will likely be operated on a 12 hour 365 day per year basis as required. A bench height of 6 metres has been selected, excavated in 3 x 2 metre lifts or flitches. This is considered appropriate for both the orebody and the equipment proposed by mining contractors.

- subscription is required.

- subscription is required.