Chowa Open Pit

During 2011 Kaboko commenced initial open pit mining activities within the Emmanuel Project and on the Chowa Mining Lease. The first production blast of approximately 2,000 tonnes of ore, as a bulk-sample, was completed on 30 August 2011.

Monthly production of approximately 2,000t of ore is planned from the main manganese reef within the Chowa Open Pit and is forecast to be mined at these production rates until the Company completes more detailed mine optimisation and secures new mining equipment on site.

Mining is by conventional truck and shovel open pit mining methods. Due to the extent and strike of the identified manganese mineralisation on the Chowa Mining Lease deposit, the initial top 10m layer of material is weathered and is amenable to ripping and free dig. The remaining 20-40 m layer of waste and manganese mineralisation will be drilled and blasted.