ROCMEC PROVIDES UPDATE ON THERMAL FRAGMENTATION CONTRACT WITH GREAT BASIN GOLD - NEVADA
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec, August 11th, 2009 – Rocmec Mining Inc. (the “Company”) (TSX-V: RMI) is pleased to provide an update on its thermal fragmentation mining process employed by Great Basin Gold (TSX: GBG) at its Hollister mine located in Nevada.
A first stope at Hollister was successfully fragmented in November 2008, following which an open contract was concluded and thermal fragmentation operations restarted in June of this year.
The contract in itself is an important milestone for Rocmec as it will generate recurrent revenues for the Company. The revenue structure for this contract is based on sharing the savings obtained with the thermal fragmentation mining process versus the mining methods currently employed. Rocmec receives a fixed price per linear foot mined and the contract also includes a clause for a minimum monthly payment, if the situation arises.
For this contract, Rocmec is employing its new model of thermal fragmentation units dubbed the “mini-dragon” specifically designed to operate in very narrow drifts with widths of 1.3 metres. The Hollister mine’s management responsibilities include sub-level development, mining services, mucking and milling, whereas, Rocmec is focussed on fragmenting the mineralised corridors from within the sub-levels. Each stope is roughly 45 metres long 15 metres high with average widths of 0.50 metres.
For the client, the advantages of employing Rocmec’s thermal fragmentation mining process are numerous: significant reduction in mining waste rock, enhances operational safety, improved productivity and reduction in mucking, transportation, milling and backfill costs.
To date, Rocmec is very satisfied with the progress and results obtained. The successful deployment has generated significant interest in Nevada and surrounding areas representing new business opportunities for Rocmec’s exclusive and patented thermal fragmentation mining process.
