Europa signs on Addison to perform initial scoping study at Toral

Lead-zinc explorer Europa Metals has engaged the services of UK based Addison Mining Services, it announced on Tuesday, to begin an initial scoping study on its 100%-owned Toral lead, zinc and silver project in the Spanish province of Leon.

The AIM-traded firm said Addison had previously compiled the Toral Project's maiden independent JORC (2012) mineral resource estimate, announced in January.

It said the primary objective of the study would be to determine first economics on the Toral Project, reported on by a fully-accredited and independent mining consultancy group.

The findings of the study would be disclosed to the market following completion, which was currently anticipated during the fourth quarter.

“We are delighted to appoint Addison Mining Services to conduct the initial scoping study over the Toral deposit and look forward to working closely with them to combine their experience with our on-ground knowledge to move Toral forward as quickly as possible,” said Europe executive and technical director Myles Campion.

“On completion of the study, we will hope to have the first real look at the prospectivity we think Toral has to offer, providing greater insight into the economics and the potential of the deposit.”

Addison's principal geologist, James Hogg, and associate principal mining engineer, Julian Bennett, would lead the study project team dedicated to the project.

The company said the dedicated study team would work alongside its existing in-country management, under the direction of technical director Myles Campion and Mining Sense principal mining engineer Jesus Montero.

“Our maiden JORC 2012 resource, announced in January, estimated that Toral has a metal content of 670,000 tonnes of zinc, 540,000 tonnes of lead and 13 million troy ounces of silver,” noted Europa executive director Laurence Read.

“While Europa will be pursuing drilling along strike during 2018 - at present we are completing the tendering process for drilling - our core focus will be confirming the economic viability of developing this significant metals resource.”

Read said the initial scoping study, to be undertaken by an independent consultant, would examine a wide range of sensitivities and report on the viability of a future mining operations.

“With an already defined high-grade centre within the block model, I look forward to the scenarios that might be uncovered by Addison in developing a robust production model.”