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It may be, and not uncommon that part of the deal in the licence renewal and other concessions is to do some sort of building work for the community, part of the EIA. As sney is not in the construction business as far as I know then a venture with a company that is would seem wise. We do not know what terms and conditions have been set by MoM and I do know they have had enough of unfullfilled promisses and mining companies just walking away from concessions. They want comittment from mining companies. Sney seem to be in SL for the long haul. The above is IMHO but have negeotiated with MoM and Chiefs and it is a lot different than in Europe and US.
GLTU.
Dredgemaster
Always liked sney board as it had a lot of smart people.
Now some turn into smart a$$es.
WHAT PROFIT.
IS THE HOUSING IN SL OR OTHER LOCATIONS.
PART OF MINING IN SL IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING INTO THE COMMUNITY, COULD THAT BE BUILDINGS.
BETTER TO DO DD THAN ASS U ME YOU HAVE THE ANSWER.
IMO.
Dredgemaster
Then maybe they need a rethink about prefab concrete sides and mezanine type floors. There is already a company that mass produces concrete blocks at Ogo Farm and they also make cement. May be a deal to be done there.
Dredgemastet
Couple of things here, it may be that the MoM want to talk to the boss and make sure that sney is serious in its mining opps. SP or Mr Hale going out to SL will show that sney is. The second is that SP or Hale would want to SEE the people involved in these new ventures Face to Face and I would think vice versa as the word of the boss is better than a manager.
NOW, it looks like sney want to take Support Mining into the 21st century in SL and by that I mean lease of dredges and equipment instead of 2inch pumps, shovels and pans.
Deal seams to be better, share of the winnings, with payment for lease of dredges thus an income even if the customer does not strike it lucky.
As long as sney stay focused on mining and eventual production then they will have a bread and butter backup if they can establish an actual mining plant company.
What I have noticed is that this afordable housing seems to be made of prefabricated concrete. As all the houses in SL are made of concrete blocks this may be an alternative but will need marketing.
All of the above will need a very capable in country team.
Ambitious but doable in time.
GLTA
Dredgemaster
Hi envirum, depending on size and materials to be dredged between $12000 and $18000 useing all new materials and a lot less if you use refurbed second hand kit. Most of materials would come from freetown, engines pump, compressor, hoses and metal. Welding gas is not easy to get. Workmanship needs to be constantly monitored. It helps if you know people in large companies who will help you and vice versa.
Personaly I would go along the Airlift path as it lets you work deeper and is an easier system to bring materials from river bed IMO.
Magburaka has several good blacksmiths as they call them who are very inovitive and is also central in the topography of SL and is where I would base my service engineers who could travel in any direction to the customer or my own sites far quicker than from freetown. In SL, you get what you pay for, and some times a lot less if you are not carefull.
Dredgemaster
You only pay the MINING licence fee on the site you are mining and not on the whole concession, but you must pay the expl licence on the whole concession.
If Sney intends to work under another mining licence holder on the Sewa as seems to be inferred while waiting for thier licence renewal then who knows what the deal is.
It might be prudent to point out that mining fees for Sierraleonians are much cheaper than outsiders.
Dredgemaster
Iggyman, envirum, man or woman, makes no diff !!.
Yes I did say build YOUR OWN dredges in SL, Utilisation of Internal Resources however going into a start up business and competing with the locals to build diamond and gold recovery plant to hire out is another matter.
Walk through Kono and you will find a shop on every corner makeing and repairing recovery and exploration equipment. There are even three places in Magburaka.
You will have competition like Blackwood Hodge who service and repair almost any and all types of mining and construction kit and have been there longer than I can remember.
WHO DID THE RESERCH ON THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS.? As for afordable House Building, and speaking as one who has built a couple in SL it is a non starter.
The Sewa is probably the longest river in SL running from north east of Kono to Zimmi and has diamonds and gold and every conceivable mineral you can think of. The best coloured gems are found in the Zimmi area but if you look at the kimberlite line you will see it extends from Guinea to Liberia all the way through SL. Romor has it that Sney may be looking at Yengema, but it is only a rumor.
IMO, it looks like the licence is not going to be forth comeing before xmas and sney has gone to plan B and hire out kit to get some sort of income in SL. All this is only any good if you can make sure you get paid.
Dredgemaster
Well, if I want close protection while eating my groundnut soup when in SL I can always call Sney country director.
What does this guy bring to the party? Free office space. Contacts with Security Company who also build houses. A knowledge of the law (IN SIERRA LEONE lol).
Mining co, or Plant Hire co or both.
The dredges are exploration units and cant see a great deal of income from renting them out.
Not sure if PR is good or not. Diversification is good but should be within your primary goal.
GLTA
Dredgemaster
AGREED, AGREED, AGREED, AGREED.
Derdgemaster
Thanks for the time and trouble you take to help me in my ignorance, you are the MAN.
GLYU
Dredgemaster
The Ignore is the only way. Look to others for DD on Sney.
GLYU
Dredgemaster
If you manage to speak to him, ask after his nephew Franklin who works in his press/media office, he may even be with him. Found him very amicable and intellegent.
Dredgemaster
Thanks envirum, nice, big setup, , I feel that It would be overkill for Sneys concession, remember sney has a proven gold bearing concession, so that is not the issue as far as I am concerned.
Can sney extract and process the type and grade of minerals at a profit with the management they have and can they get enough financing to at least prove up some of the sites on thier concession.
There was a lot of talk about what would happen and so far I see diddly squat.
Think I need to be more proactive and see WTH is realy going on.
Dredgemaster
If this is a move in a play, then those who know how the game is played will make money.
I see the timing looks to be strategic with reference to MAIN mining season when rivers will be low. If this financing happens then they will only have about 2 months before the height of dry season. Yes I know they say they are going to mine all year round but the preps must be done in the dry season.
Never been a borrower and only gamble with money that I am prepared to lose.
Asher? who knows? The chartists and players?
Dredgemaster
Hi Bali, not in SL YET,usual probs with shipping and cant go until it sails.
The GEOs job is to direct the ops manager in where to dredge or dig, initial analsis of samples and reports on what winnings and predictions on g/t or carats per ton.
The ops manager job is to ensure the work is done and in a cost efective manner.
The country manager will liase wth both and report to SNEY.
Sney now seem to have a streamlined group in SL.
If finances allow then a small punt at the other possible concession from xmas onwards.
Dredgemaster
Hi ice, as i said a few days ago, its how the finance is MANAGED, that maters.
Its my understanding that it wont happen for 60 days? so could fall in with the main diamond mining season. What does it matter Asher or anyone else as long as ALL make a profit.
Dredgemaster
I would have to say that is for him to know and you to find out, (DD). Or if you have anything you want to share then please do.
GLTU
Dredgemaster
would not want a person who could not make money on management of Sney, JIMHO
Dredgemaster
In answer to the first part. INEXPERIENCE, lack of commitment, low funds and lack of trust and not understanding the system and conditions of mining in SL. The learning curve was very flat. It looks like they paid top $ for everything.
As for the second part Yes if they have the ability to double time, Get someone who does not have failure in his vocabulary WHO THEY TRUST who can talk and work at ALL levels whether with the president or repairing a gold scale and put him on the geound in SL PERMANANT.
Hope is of some help and is of course IMHO.
Dredgemaster
Its like UK and USA , employ lots of people in public sector at low wages and keep employment numbers down on paper at least.
Every body gets SMALL SMALL. Those who have been to and work in SL will understand.
Dredgemaster
So you go for a driving licence in Sney Land SL.
Go to Road Transport.
Go to desk and get application form and pay for it.
Go to next desk and present application form and pay for processing.
Go next desk present processed form and await photo and pay for it.
Go into officials office and answer questions.
Go back to processing desk and pay fee.
Wait and collect Driving licence.
By now you have been at Road Transport for 7 hours.
SO NOW PERHAPS PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THE TIMEFRAME IN THE MINING INDUSTRY ALSO. Thats why you need someone on the ground who understands the system and conditions and is able to push things forward.
GLTU
Dredgemaster
Hi Au, agreed, and dont think I am makeing excuses for sney, have always stated that there was a management problem right from the start in how they seemed to try and do business in SL. Mining in SL is a serious 24/7 business with a lot of hard work and the need to keep your finger on the pulse. This has been lacking in sney and has cost them in money and time. I am off to SL and perhaps I will get to YENGEMA by way of Magburaka and see with my own eyes.
Dredgemaster
Sir, my contacts in SL informed me that all fees had been paid, PERIOD.
I posted this on the board that there will not be a problem with licences loooong before the PR confirmed the same.
My history on this board speaks for its self.
I was interested in Sneys Dredges and method of work.
Those who have PMd me have always recieved an answer.
Yes there are setbacks as in all mining ventures so lets see if Sney has the knowledge, ability and courage to get through as I for one dont judge a company by its last screw up but for all the times when it did things right.
Yes I might bitch but not often like some And it always pertains to actual events.
Dredgemaster
I wanted to include the debt that Sney Has.
The world of business, countries, and even sney revolves around debt.
What is important is that you have a plan to manage that debt.
Dredgemaster
Hi JYD, there is no way to make comparisons with Sney and Ashanti.
Ashanti have so many hangers on that the drain on thier performanace was inevitable.
Sney have slimed down management and have few overheads and are no way in production yet. SL is a more friendly country.
We realy need a PR on finance update as he who pays the piper picks the tune.
GLTU
Dredgemaster
Sney seems to be like MARMITE to people these days.
People either love them or hate them.
There is still a bigger picture here.
Yes, there are some people working on SNEYs concession, however this just shows that the concession is viable as I dont think they will be working at a loss.
Who knows, they may have permission from sney.
We do not know what deals sney has in the pipeline, only management know that.
Fins were what real people would have expected if they had done thier DD so need to see how they can over come these few dramas.
Dredgemaster
Or rather wifes Lawyer.
Dredgemaster
Ignore function works great, just wish I jad one for the wife.
Dredgemaster
Naughty, I think those of us who have been here for some time have unraveled some ex sney people who post here. I was always told that sney management did not look or post on board. But ex management can do if the wish.
I have no problem as it helps me know when porky pies are told or should I say BS.
Helps when looking to invest or not in other companies they may be involved in or advising friends.
GLYU
Dredgemaster
Hi E, All this prep that is needed to start terracing like clearing the land, makeiin access roads to areas, demarcation of areas, could be put on vid by mobile or tablet and posted then investors would see what stage of progress is reached.
When Country Manager for a company in SL I had to give senior management in UK daily calls and texts, weekly photos and vids along with expenditure. This assisted them in getting £2.5 mill investment. Just thought sney could do the same or similar.
Dredgemaster
Why do you think I am getting dissapointed and not happy.
I have to say it as I see it.
I dont put money into ventures unless I am prepared to lose it but it is nice to get a kiss before you get F----d.
Looked at this as half way through a 5 year plan and now it looks like a 9 year plan.
I think I am entitled to bitch a bit as I dont do it often. Liked the idea that byproduct as I know it had a value.
Dredgemaster
In this day and age Marketing Sney is as easy as posting vids on several sites on the web.
Show the work of access toads, land clearing for terracing, dredging, processing, and stockpiles.
Show the concession and testing. This lets investors know where the cash is going
Show the materials and why they need a different type of plant.
They say a picture says a thousand words.
Yes I have been on Sneys Concession long before AMS and at the same time Wilf was mining up Bumbuna way.
Whether you believe or not is of no interest to me and you should make decisions based on your OWN info.
I stand by the fact that this is a gold bearing concession with huge potential.
Sir, I hope I answerd your questions but in future please use email as no PM
Dredgemaster
Hi play, I was prepared to give Mr Hale a second chance after his first atempt at a PR which sounded as if he new nothing about mining and ALL about himself.
He has been to SL once and it remains at a standstill. Mr Parent I know nothing about so cant comment. Just know that my own DD conflicts with what the PRs say.
Working at mining in SL is a 24/7 job as if you are not on site you should be buying makeing contacts or at MoM and trying to micro manage from afar does not work as we have seen. Better they turn the dredges into boats and make a few bucks ferrying people across the river. Obviously the new management in country have nothing to work with in terms of finance so no blame there.
Take care and may your god smile on you.
Dredgemaster
Gary Houck, made some statements that have now turned out to be a load of BS, saying that Hans Strand and Wilfred Ullrich were preparing for all year ops for 2012/13 and that was more than 8 months ago. I believe it was on Dredging Today and when they sold the black sands. In fact there has been no preperations what so ever unless you count takeing on an advisor in SL. Great Concession, Crap Management and BS PRs and Statements.
Sir, do your DD and show me where they have deliverd on Anything on time.
Play this any way you want but as for your info it is full of holes just like sneys business plan.
Even when they are awarded the concession I dont think that they will do anything with it if you go on thier history, ALL PAPER AND PRs AND NO HAMMER AND BOOTS.
Dredgemaster.
As always, cK, you are correct and said it in less words than I.
The thing about management is that thier PRIORITIES with thier extensive knowledge in thier own particular fields of expertiese are not reflected in thier actions.
Yes, paying the fees in SL was not an option and had to be top priority.
Yes, no pos or neg and so standing still and that in reality means going backwards.
I am not talking about the shares but about what has or rather has not happened on the concession.
It is now August and soon the best divers and diggers will have been employed by mining co,s as they also have to feed thier famlies. With about 12 weeks to go untill heavy dredging can start and poor access to terracing I dont IMHO see too much happening hence my comment on hibernation.
Dredgemaster
Hi cK, I am just disappointed, I thought this guy Hale had his finger on the pulse and was more than just a mouthpiece. Guess I was wrong.
If nothing has happened then the news would be easy to report.
I suspect they are waiting for confirmation that tjiet proposals have been accepted by GoSL aand MoM and would like to factor that in.
Unfortunately unless you have someone staked out at Youyi building pushing and encouraging this forward it wont happen in a timely fashon.
Perhaps I could help when I get over there if it has not been reconciled, however the new retained advisor has more clout than I.
The cultural ways of SL will not help if this is not being controled on the ground. I wonder what the Chiefs and workers are thinking about the situation.
I just hope Mr Hale or Mr Parent have not made promisses they can not keep.
GLTU
Dredgemaster
So Sad, Mr Hale has not walked the walk after all that talk.
I can only think that management are unable to do the job.
There seem to be NO introducers interested in pointing people towards SNEY.
Mangement seem to have NO idea on how to raise investment capital.
Stand by for a change of management, but I dont think even that would help now.
With a great gold bearing concession in a prominent area in SL this seems to be the ONLY company that can not produce product in a profitable way.
With costs escalating in SL and no money to burn or even start work this looks like going dormant or should I say into hibernation.
Management do your job and get the finance to work this wonderful, exciting, gold bearing concession. I can understand the need to pay all relevant fees in SL first but its like haveing a fine car and no money to put fuel in it. And You Know What Happens To The Car.
Dredgemaster
You are correct, they are not even treading water. But no way near down the plug hole yet.
You take care Au.
Dredgemaster
Sir, it is obvious to me that you have not seen the bigger picture.
Sney need the pilot plant because the majority of gold in the sands is very fine and can not be recovered by the dredges or plant they already have. Until the new processing plant is in SL OR, the terracing is in full swing then you wont see any gold.
Now they have a retained geo and his team working then the faster option may be terracing while awaiting pilot plant.
So gold in stockpiles is too fine to recover with plant they have so SELL the sands and get some revenue. Its all down to how bad sney want to succeed on the ground.
IMHO the above is why sney is looking to diversify into terracing and diamonds and looking at options. ITS ALL DOWN TO MANAGEMENT AND HOW THEY PERFORM.
Dredgemaster
Yes, it does take time and 3 years in the life of a mining and expl company that has been aquired, restructured and then had to deal with unexpected dramas is a very very young company. The impossible I can do now, miricals take a little longer. Think that is basicaly the longer version of what you ment but sorry if I got you wrong.
You take care Sir.
Dredgemaster