Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter
UNITED States based Mabwe Mineral Holdings Incorporation, has acquired the mineral and metal rights for 110 hectares (272 acres) at its Dodge barite mine in Shamva. The company is engaged in the mining and commercial sales of industrial minerals and metals. Mabwe mainly mines barite, a crystalline mineral of barium sulfate (can be white, yellow or colourless) that is used in paint manufacturing and is mostly used as industrial mineral and is also a chief source of barium chemicals.

The hydrothermal barite deposits on Dodge Mine are considered world class due to their high percentage content of barium sulfate.

Mabwe minerals director Mr Tapiwa Gurupira said the company has managed to acquire some more mineral claims as they hope to maximise production. “The company is pleased to announce that its Zimbabwe affiliate, Mabwe Minerals Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, has acquired the mineral and metal rights to 110 hectares (272 acres) adjacent to Dodge Mine. The property now covers a total area of 233 hectares (576 acres), he said.

Mr Gurupira said with the extension, the Dodge Mine property range now extends to include all of the first three mountains and a portion of the fourth mountain moving east-to-west.

He said Mabwe Minerals has been targeting the expansion since the area was gravity mapped in 2012 indicating the continued presence of barite towards the largest mountain on the western end.

“A recent series of four meter trenches across the third mountain has located two parallel barite lenses, which confirms what is shown on the gravity map.

“We are thankful that the gravity mapping project extended into this additional 110 hectares verifying what we had hoped, data confirming the continued directional flow of multiple barite lenses.” Mr Gurupira said.

He said with a number of third party geologists having visited the mine, it is certain the company aims for expansion this year. Mabwe Minerals has been making plans to initiate a drilling program that is necessary to complete the gravity mapping interpretation with volume estimates.

Now that the Dodge Mine extension certificate has been issued by the office of the Mining Commissioners, WGB Kinsey & Company intends to proceed with finalising the drilling plan.

Mabwe Minerals Inc. is a US based natural resources and hard asset company engaged in the mining, logistics and commercial sales of industrial minerals and metals, with first focus on barite and limestone.