Document Actions
Seafloor minerals explorer Neptune Minerals sets up Wellington office
1 April 2008 - Neptune Minerals plc, an international explorer for seafloor gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc is planning a programme of continuous exploration in northern New Zealand offshore waters called Project Trident.
In preparation for increased exploration and development of massive sulphide deposits on the Kermadec Arc Neptune has set up an office in Wellington, the company said.
Campbell McKenzie, formerly heading the Crown Minerals minerals unit, has been appointed Neptune’s New Zealand country manager and will oversee non-technical activities in New Zealand.
Neptune has signed a letter of intent with one of the world’s leading marine survey companies C&C Technologies, for the provision of autonomous underwater vehicle survey, sampling and vessel charter services for Project Trident.
Neptune said that subject to vessel and equipment availabilities, AUV survey and sampling operations are planned to commence in mid-2008 with continuous operations for a minimum 12-month period, with options to extend to 24 months and beyond.
Neptune said it will carry out high resolution seafloor mapping and sampling of its seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) targets which contain very high contents of copper, lead and zinc sulphides, with accompanying high levels of gold and silver. The company said it is one of only three companies in the world to be exploring the seafloor for SMS.
Neptune is preparing to lodge its first mining licence application in New Zealand to meet its goal of trial mining by 2010.
Neptune’s New Zealand acreage now includes 63,000 sq km of granted exploration tenements. It has applied for another three permits covering 85,000 sq km. All are along the Kermadec Volcanic Arc between the Bay of Plenty and Tonga or on the parallel Colville Ridge.
Neptune, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market, also has extensive tenements throughout the “Pacific rim of fire” volcanic arcs in Papua New Guinea, Micronesia and Vanuatu, with more under application in Japan, the Northern Marianas, Palau and Italy.
Campbell McKenzie, formerly heading the Crown Minerals minerals unit, has been appointed Neptune’s New Zealand country manager and will oversee non-technical activities in New Zealand.
Neptune has signed a letter of intent with one of the world’s leading marine survey companies C&C Technologies, for the provision of autonomous underwater vehicle survey, sampling and vessel charter services for Project Trident.
Neptune said that subject to vessel and equipment availabilities, AUV survey and sampling operations are planned to commence in mid-2008 with continuous operations for a minimum 12-month period, with options to extend to 24 months and beyond.
Neptune said it will carry out high resolution seafloor mapping and sampling of its seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) targets which contain very high contents of copper, lead and zinc sulphides, with accompanying high levels of gold and silver. The company said it is one of only three companies in the world to be exploring the seafloor for SMS.
Neptune is preparing to lodge its first mining licence application in New Zealand to meet its goal of trial mining by 2010.
Neptune’s New Zealand acreage now includes 63,000 sq km of granted exploration tenements. It has applied for another three permits covering 85,000 sq km. All are along the Kermadec Volcanic Arc between the Bay of Plenty and Tonga or on the parallel Colville Ridge.
Neptune, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market, also has extensive tenements throughout the “Pacific rim of fire” volcanic arcs in Papua New Guinea, Micronesia and Vanuatu, with more under application in Japan, the Northern Marianas, Palau and Italy.
