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Ant, Some years ago I was paid by a company to go Fishing on a river in SL.
What the locals did not know was that I was useing yhe fishfinder to map the benches and troughs and traps in the river so the company could dredge it. Yes, it is that easy and cheap and saves money.
Dredgemaster
ant, check out some Air Lift systems.
Dredgemaster
Hi ant, its 1130pm here And I have had a bit of a day.
Here is a hint, why do All the Diamond and Gold prospectors have thier prospecting plant built in Kono useing Kuboto engines? I would build my own in country. Utilization of internal resources. Cheap Labour and Parts.
Peocessing or Exploration Dredge? They already have Exploration dredges.
If they want to Stockpile Black sands then what is needed is a gravel/sand pump as I stated over a year ago. A simple gravity system will still get it to Concentrate level.
In the end it all comes down to that dirty word"MONEY"
The new CEO is looking at 800/1000 tons a month, How Much GOLD Does that equate too.or is there no need for processing plant and just a 50/50 split as with the previous sales.
$hit ant, the last thing you want is to take a knife to a gun fight.LOL
Dredgemaster
You may not like this oplnion but here it is.
Parent lost trust in Allied guys because the Dredges they bought on recomendation were not up to the task. They were not matched to recover the gold from the Materials that were in the Pampana therfore he felt that it was the fault of Allied.
Allied therefore Stockpiled the materials that the Dredges could rrcover and asked for further processing plant to extract the gold. A logical way forward.
Sney stated they would get the funds and New processing plant and ship to SL.
Allied guys got fed up waiting and Sney haveing lost trust in them they parted.
Financing was takeing too long and prime dredging season time was lost too many times.
Lessons to be learned, As I Have Always Stated:
YOU BUY THE PROCESSING PLANT TO SUIT THE MATERIAL YOU HAVE FOUND.
YOU DONT BUY PROCESSING PLANT AND THEN LOOK FOR MATERIAL TO USE IT ON.
Lack of trust will screw up any mining op.
That is why I have always said that a good in country team on the ground who trust each other and are trusted by the company is paramount to success.
This new CEO will know the facts about the past and is man enough to know that business is buisness. His trip to SL will let him know and appreciate the conditions of working in SL.
I like the way he talks and has shown that he is also willing to act.
Who knows, I may bump into him in the near future.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Dredgemaster
AGREED, but when will people learn from thier mistakes?
The NEED for a team who can rely on each other, trust each other and have the same goals of profit, profit, profit, profit, together with getting the job done no matter what it takes and realising that you just dont sit on your A$$ and wait for things to happen. Proactive is the name of the game. Always value your comments and closely read your posts.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
Thanks iggymann, its also better and cheaper than the port authority in Freetown since they privatised it.
Take care and GLTY
Dredgemaster
Hi cK, I am in Conakry Guinea.
Cheaper to ship to there from UK and Taxes are cheaper as well just getting documentation for my kit and then off to SL. Will take about three or four days.
Good to hear from you cK be good and if you cant be good be carefull.
Dredgemaster
I know that, you know that and the person who PMd me also knows.Lol.
It was just that I was asked an opinion on the PR, and opened it on your post.
Between SL High Commission and Port Athority and Road Transport here in Conakry, they are all giveing me the run arround.
Dredgemaster
To PM, He talks the talk and is willing NOW to take a walk in SL.
This new broom cant sweep clean as he is reliant on the in country people.
He needs to seek out an independant in country ADVISOR who is not afraid to tell him the truth and how to proceed within the system.
As for Licences, Expl Licence will have yo be paid if the wish to retain the whole concession.
Mining licence is only for the area you wish to mine within the Expl Area and can be as small as one acre.
This CEO has something about the way he talks that I like. I will have to wait to see if I like the way he walks.
Hope is of some help and some of the above is IMHO.
Dredgemaster
Agreed Fangster, as long as his gun does not just fire blanks. A great concession in a land of opportunity and already selling the byproduct, just need to get the gold. Hope he has a plan. 35 degrees C here and loving it.
Dredgemaster
To PM, Not SA, I am in Conakry, Guinea awaiting arrival of Grande Argentina.
Sorry to take so long to reply but been travelling.
As for the other, I will see what I can do.
GLTY.
Dredgemaster
Have only heard opinions on what was going on in SL but dont believe it was a lost season.
The fact that they have sold, and now have a market for black sands concentrates is a massive achievement. Have you read the Geo on actual and estimated black sands on the concession and then put a value on the concession just based on black sands.
If Sney just take out the free gold and sell on the black sands concentrate then they should be self sustainanble and makeing massive profits in 18 months.
Jeeeeez, I wish I had stockpiled all the black sands concentrate after I had removed the free gold but there was no market for it. Cunning people those Chinese.
Dredgemaster
Minister of Mines: Alhagi Minkailu Mansaray.
Minister of Lands, Country Planning and Environment: Mr Musa Tarawally.
The National Mineral Agency (NMA) Est in 2012 has started oporations.
Sorry no PM hope that helps.
Dredgemaster
Hi MC5, The job of any Country Manager is to negotiate the best deal possible with Chiefs, Land owners and GoSL.
This is a continual on going process. Payment of land rent ensures the backing of locals with the GoSL as does goodwill gestures.
There is no reason why dredging is not going on NOW as I have not heard any news from company to say otherwise and they have a saleable product as has been demonstrated.
Local knowledge is a great thing and the chief and villagers can point a company in the right direction for fast and best results of product recovery.
African Time is as you say, very laid back. This is why you need to have the ability to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH and keep your finger on the pulse of all that is happening.
Magburaka is a growing town and in need of development and I would be selling, all the byproducts, sand, gravel, and clay, but then again you need to know the markets.
There is money in DIRT, you just need to get your hands dirty.LOL.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
Hi Au, no dis, but if you think sney has an issue with TIME, then you want to try working in AFRICAN TIME.
The probability that talks with Chiefs, Ministers, and Permanent Secretaries will take longer now due to Minister Reshuffle and perhaps the need to establish ne relationships will be a factor in the timescale.
Unless people have had meeting with Chiefs, Ministers, and permanant Secretaries IN AFRICA, Then it will be hard for them to understand AFRICAN TIME.
Take Care and GLTY
Dredgemaster
Your welcome Mikey.
SL is the most religeous tollerent country I know of.
All Christians also take Islamic holidays and vice versa.
Your DD is good but everything is negoetiable in SL.
I know GoSL kept licences open
for years in the case of Olympus and several others.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
The problem with GoSL is that the President has had a reshuffle of Ministers.
There have been some public holidays.
It is worth noteing that as you say, and I have also posted that Sney will have no problems untill about April and may face a small fine for paying late. They must keep the MoM informed and Happy.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
This news seems to be from a FACILITATOR AND NOT AN IMPLEMENTOR.
Postponed other career opportunity but permanant CEO?
Willf Dredgmaster? Dont think the title will go down well with him as he is much much more than that. IMHO. In SL and most of Africa they are Known as Dredge Captain. Looks like they read my posts.
New CEO was founder member of Allied yet only feels Now is the time to have a hands on approach.
Sadly I see no change in managements attitude.
I hope when the New CEO goes to SL that he has DEEP POCKETS FULL OF.$$$.
GLTA. and there is gold in the valleys, gold in the rivers, gold in the mountains and gold in SNEYs Concession.
Dredgemaster
To ant, and PM, Alluvial Mining has more byproducts than people think.
1. Top Soil that could be sold to people for thier market garden in Magburaka.
2. Washed Sand that can be sold to anyone building in and around Magburaka.
3. Washed Gravel, same as above.
4. White or Red Clay (Balam) used for painting and sealing buildings.
And use the above to build your own House, Processing Facility etc:
ALL THE ABOVE WILL BRING IN REVENUE AND SAVE ON EXPENDITURE.
Now the above may not be the in the mind of a company as large as SNEY but it will make the company self sustainable in operations much faster than any other way I know of.
Remember that this is all classed as overburden and gets in the way of actual mining.
Check out the cost of a load of sand in Freetown, this comes from the Beach and you have to leave it through the rainy season to wash out the salt.
So a good mining company can contribute to the Rebuilding and Development of a Third World country that has had a Civil War and is Growing Fast.
My kit got shipped yesterday and I will fly off to Africa to collect it at Docks.
And I have always said that Sney have a Great Concession in SL and the Concession will not go away.
GLTY ant,and to PM I hope the info helps.
Dredgemaster.
Last Post going to sleep.
Remember what I said about major mineral companies who also have about 5% of thier material that end up as black sands, Rees. Does it not make sence that if they hire a ship at £250000 a trip that they want to fill it to capacity. Dont think that they only mine for iron ore. They also mine for diamonds and gold.
Now I know you always look at the broader picture and what better way to find out what valuable materials are on a concession that you may be interested in. Maybe I am just being a bit devious but business is buisness. AIMHO.
All the best ant, you are the man when it comes to DD and I wish I had known you and your skills many years ago. Take Care.
Dredge.
HOW MANY TON OF FEED TO GET 1ton OF CONCENTRATE?
HOW MANY g/t IS STATED IN PR PER TON OF FEED
when you have the above multiply by 27.5 and you should habe the Free and Fine gold contained in the CONCENTRATES SOLD.
Rees ???$
Dredgemaster
Thanks aldapogs, confirms what I posted some time ago that Wilf had probably been responsible through his contacts for the sale of the black sands CONCENTRATES as this is what he was doing in 2004.
Sounds like Sney have another plan that will be very interesting. Wilf and Local Knowledge have put this company into a situation where they may be able to move forward but only time will tell.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
To PM, If I am, or was working for a company like Sney I would not post on a board even after I left. The only person who I report to is the CEO. PERIOD.
Even the staff on the ground whom I supervise will have very limited info.
I will not, in most cases even provide prrvious employers untill after employment contract and only with thier permission. Yes it makes life a bit harder but honesty is the best policy.
I suppose it is the level of percieved disclosure.
Which company would employ you if you had loose lips and could your friends have faith in your confidences.
I do believe you.
Dredgemaster
If they hot about 20 women from MAKONG who are used to pound rock and wash it and remove the fine gold then about a week.
If the company have a nasty chemical setup about 2days.
I think this is just a gold extraction set up. IMO. It says it is a Sierra Leone Company but that does not mean that they will process in SL
Dredgemaster
Thanks Art, sometimes you have to stick a post on the board to provoke a response to the answer you are looking for.
It just seemed to me that some specific posters were giving info to the board that I thought should be none disclosure IMHO. Or they were well informed in some aspects that they had to be very close to the company. It was begining to look like Wiki Leaks. LOL.
You take care, am doing a bit of traveling from tomorrow so dont think I am rude if I dont reply to posts for some time.
GLTY
Dredgemaster
Risk on, your opinions and info have always been respected by me.
Happy New year, and long time no hear.
You have IMHO a firm grasp of the situation and the worst ships that pass in the night are Partnerships.
Be well Sir and do what you do best.
Will, as I say be away from the board for some time but will look in when comms permit.
What surprises me is that SNEY did not see fit to stick a non disclosure in some contracts.
I will always be mindfull of sensibilities.
Dredgemaster
You know I dont have PM so I will answer you here.
Example: Husband beats wife.
Wife say: I AM TAKING YOU TO THE CHIEF. (the chiefs court)
Wife says husband beat her.
Husband says, that he was out working all day and the wife did not cook the food.
CHIEF SAYS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE BEAT YOUR WIFE.
TO THE WIFE HE SAYS. YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE AS IF YOU HAD BEEN A GOOD WIFE AND COOKED THEN YOUR HUSBAND WOULD NOT HAVE BEATEN YOU.
Culture???
Dredgemaster
cK, I dont know the ins and outs of shareholders and suspect some want quick returns while others are looking long term for large returns.
Most of my answers are based on a business way of doing things in a country where CULTURE comes before Legal. That may be hard to understand but you would expect that if someone from SL wanted to do business in USA then they would abide by your Legal sys and your culture.
When the Chief is also the local Judge then law and culture are often the same.
This may explain my earlier posts
GLTY
Dredgemaster
You are welcome.
Dredgemaster
In Sierra Leone, EVERYTHING is NEGOTIABLE.
Dredgemaster
If you are wise enough you stay Expl for as long as you can and BULKSAMPLE for as long as you can and if the timeing is right you are then in a position to be self financing. You then have to take out a mining licence and should by this time be prepared and more able to handle the future. AIMHO
Dredgemaster
The point being you want yo retain your concession and have to pay Expl licence on all of it.
Of course you only pay the Additional $600 on the first hectare you start MINING.
The down side of MINING is strong oversite from government. As previously stated.
Dredgemaster
Perhaps now you will see why, in a post a long time ago I said the concession should have been transferred from AMS to SNEY could save money on licence fee, but whats in a name.
I do not have PM
Dredgemaster
Expl licence. Year 1 to 4 $100 per sq kilometer.
Expl licence. Year 5 to 9 $400 per sq kilometer
Small Scale Mining licence $600 per ha
Dredgemaster
To PM, you are right as usual.
I will be renewing old friendships and makeing new ones and inbetween buying.
Life goes on and I cant neglect my contacts. Those who have helped me and those who will.
With all the disruption I had on my last contract it looks like the best way forward is back to SL. Europe is impossible to do business in.
I also hope to do a bit of support mining which will give me an indication of Dredging for next year. Some areas have come up where an AIRLIFT would work better because of the depth so I have to look at those locations.
I partiicularly want to get back down near Mopendi and Sumbuya on the Sewa and see the situation there.
Yes , too late for dredging.
Dredgemaster
Jojo, If you are operating a dredge then you better be sampling almost continualy otherwise all you are doing is recycling water and burning fuel and money. You need your finger on the pulse.
If there is nothing of value, move UP river to next dredge site. Or turn everything off and have a days fishing. Night Fishing catches better.LOL
Dredgemaster
Blended Stockpile Sample. Not concentrates.
As Per PR, 3g/t visible free gold with 80% fine in concentrates= 5.4g/t total of Feed MATERIAL.
It takes about 11ton of feed to give 1ton of concentrates as stated 200lb of black sands per ton of Feed.
Have I missread somewhere or interpreted wrong.
Dredgemaster
Mikey, help me out with some numbers that equate 100ton CONCENTRATE to 75k
Thanks in advance
Dredgemaster
You have lived in the real world where Business is Business.
Whatever it takes to get it done.
Corruption is not an African word.
You can not meet a Chief without giveing TALK MONEY. I believe we call it lobbying or something like that
Dredgemaster
Great Post, Business is Business.
Dont NEED to be your best friend as long as we are BOTH makeing money.
GLTY cK
Dredgemaster