Raptor Resources has done some impressive work securing a
foothold in Zimbabwe’s rich mineral and metals landscape, putting together a
portfolio that consists of talented operating subsidiaries and key strategic
partners which bring unique localization, as well as logistical benefits to the
company’s overall resource development, transport, and sales equation.
RRHI’s tight-knit partnership with one of Zimbabwe’s most
experienced construction/mining companies, minority-owned WGB Kinsey &
Company, which manages all operations at RRHI’s three current project sites, is
a perfect example of how intelligently the company has navigated location risks
associated with developing resources in minerals-rich Zimbabwe. This
competitive advantage for RRHI has been heightened by the recently announced,
World Bank-endorsed plan by the Zimbabwean government to stimulate foreign
direct investment, using, among other tools, the formation of Special Economic
Zones (SEZs) that will allow modified investments laws, making it much easier
to set up shop and do business.
The government’s plan should play out quite well for
acquisition-minded RRHI, which already has a strong market presence supported
by firm ties with the indigenous population. This SEZ strategy is a
center-piece of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic
Transformation (Zim-Asset) and World Bank senior economist, Douglas Zhihua
Zeng, noted during a recent consultative workshop on SEZs attended by the
Senior Minister of State, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, that such zones under
Zim-Asset would rapidly accelerate infrastructural and industrial improvements
within Zimbabwe, not to mention the obvious employment, skill upgrades, and
improved standard of living benefits to the local population.
Between RRHI’s two U.S.-based subsidiaries, Mabwe Minerals
Inc. (OTCQB: MBMI), which controls the Dodge Mine in the east, and TAG Minerals
Inc., which controls the Raptor Mine in the west (both operating via
minority-owned Zimbabwean affiliates), the company now has in their hands
essentially an entire mountain range of heavily-mineralized acreage. With
metal/mineral rights stretching across a whopping 2.8 miles of prime territory
since the addition back in early February of a remaining 612-acre swathe
between the two mines to the company’s leasehold (bringing the total up to
1,188 acres), RRHI is now happily engaged in early-stage production of
limestone and “world class” quality barite via the Dodge Mine, with a strong
developmental backdrop of transition metals copper and nickel over at the
Raptor Mine.
Ever since gravity mapping back in 2012 confirmed the
abundance of barite across the entire mountain range, RRHI has been keen on
securing this remaining acreage and given the proximity/analogous geology of
the Raptor Mine to Zimbabwe’s top nickel mine, the Trojan Nickel Mine, RRHI is
confident about broadening their resource base. Extant surface sampling
measurements on Raptor indicates that the nickel content (1.18% and 1.56%) is
above the 1.18% content requirement of the nearby Bindura Smelter and Refinery
complex (primary products include high-end nickel cathodes, copper sulphide and
cobalt hydroxide), giving RRHI a nice additional stream to bring online via an
established refinery which thankfully has ample extra capacity. The broad zone
mineralization (198 feet by some 0.93 miles) at Raptor, plus the optimum
ultra-mafic host rock composition (low carbonate content compared to Trojan,
meaning no expensive flotation reagents will be required), makes the project
quite attractive, especially in light of the surface sampling results which
suggest the potential for economic recovery at rather shallow depths of only 30
to 65 feet or so. Bullish news for RRHI as nickel prices hit a 14-month peak,
driven in large part by supply concerns emanating from the two top global
output sources for nickel, as a ban in Indonesia coincides with continued
heightening of tensions with the Russian Federation over Ukraine.
Also strengthening the company’s position in Zimbabwe is
their acquisition in late March of an established, successful mining company
managed by partner WGB Kinsey & Company, the Derbyshire Stone Quarry in
southern Harare’s booming residential growth area, which does a slew of quarry
products ranging from 10mm and 20mm granite stone, to decomposed granite,
crusher run, pit sand/washed river sand, and quarry dust. The Derbyshire is
another solid addition to the RRHI portfolio and follows right along with the
company’s emphasis on product categories for which there are strong local, as
well as global, markets.
Tons of acreage, untapped transition metal potential and
broader gold-zinc-lead indicators for the multiple gossan deposits all across
the range, in addition to already stated barite, copper, limestone and nickel
targets, collectively makes the company’s land position one to envy in
Zimbabwe. The strength of this position is rivaled only by how well connected
the company is with local officials and how intelligently the company has
handled their stewardship/relations.
In terms of overall logistical efficiency, RRHI’s remaining
partnerships bring a great deal to the table. Global distribution specialist
Steinbock Minerals Ltd., who has an extensive network of customers throughout
Europe and the Middle East, as well as Yasheya Ltd., a global industrial
mineral transport powerhouse who handles the company’s shipping and delivery
via the Port of Beira in Mozambique, underscore a commanding regional presence
obtained through RRHI’s partnership with Harare’s biggest grain importer, PHI
Commodities, with whom RRHI has secured outbound load rights on their fleet of
some 80 (National Railways of Zimbabwe) express train-managed rail wagons. RRHI
has a straight shot to the Port of Beira for output and a mountain of minerals
to sell.
More info on Raptor Resources Holdings is available at
www.raptorresourcesholdings.com
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