EX-99.1 2 newsrelease.htm NEWS RELEASE DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 MD Filed by Filing Services Canada Inc. 403-717-3898





Status of the Nama Large Scale Mining Licences in Zambia


Toronto, Ontario September 24, 2012: Caledonia Mining Corporation (Caledonia or the Company) (TSX: CAL, OTCQX: CALVF, AIM: CMCL) provides this update on the status of its Nama Base Metals Project in Zambia (the Project).  

On September 17, 2012, Caledonia received from the Zambian Mines Development Department (the Department) a letter regarding the Large Scale Mining Licenses held by Caledonia in respect of the Project.  The letter sets out agreed conditions that Caledonia must fulfil in order to continue holding the Mining Licences.  These conditions are as follows:

 

1. Compliance with all the conditions of grant of the Large Scale Mining Licenses;
2. An undertaking, in writing, to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development that Caledonia will remedy all non-compliant conditions of grant;
3. Commencement of cobalt production by 30th June 2013;
4. Submission of an updated copper sulphide ore resource and reserve statement and associated feasibility study and program of operations by 30th June, 2013;
5. Commencement of copper sulphide resource exploitation by 31st March 2015;
6. Submission of regular reports on progress of technical studies to treat cobalt ore which is not amendable to traditional processing methods.

 

The September 17, 2012 letter was the culmination of a process which began in May 2012, when the Department notified Caledonia that it was in default of the Large Scale Mining Licences.  As previously disclosed, Caledonia has held since 2008 four Large Scale Mining Licences in Zambia covering an area of approximately 786 square kilometres on which open-pittable cobalt/copper and cobalt/iron mineralization zones have been discovered.  Caledonia has been in the process of progressing its mining development program for the area, which most recently has chiefly involved seeking approval from the Zambian authorities for the Companys Environmental Impact Assessment.

In response to the May 2012 notification, Caledonia management made written representations and had a direct meeting with the Zambian Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development and other officials from the Department.  The principal issue of concern for the Zambian authorities was the timing of the commencement of mining activities on the lands covered by the Licences.  As a result of this process, Caledonia received the September 17, 2012 letter referred to above which reflects the Departments conclusions.  Caledonia expects that further discussions with the Department may be necessary to clarify the precise terms of the conditions, which largely reflect Caledonias representations to the Department in response to the May notification.

Caledonia intends to comply with the conditions set out in the letter and believes at this time that its proposed course of action will do so.  

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Further information regarding Caledonias exploration activities and operations along with its latest financials and Management Discussion and Analysis may be found at www.caledoniamining.com

Caledonia Mining Corporation

Mark Learmonth

Tel: + 27 11 447 2499

marklearmonth@caledoniamining.com

Canaccord Genuity Limited

John Prior / Sebastian Jones

Tel: + 44 20 7523 8350

 

 



 

 

Newgate Threadneedle

Beth Harris / Josh Royston

Tel: +44 20 7653 9850


CHF Investor Relations

Stephanie Fitzgerald

Tel : +1 416 868 1079 x 222

stephanie@chfir.com


 

 





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