Burma awards first mining exploration licence to Hong Kong-based developer

HONG KONG - Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Mining Limited has won full approval of its mineral exploration license in Shan State , Myanmar. It is the first 100%-owned exploration licence to a Western-led mining development company in Myanmar.

"Finalisation of the AP-4 license marks the culmination of years of co-operation between Asia Pacific Mining, Myanmar's Ministry of Mines and the Department of Geological Survey & Mineral Exploration," said Andrew Mooney , CEO of APML. The licence covers 649 sq km northwest of the town of Namtu, Shan State - itself located approximately 40 km northwest of the major regional centre and airport at the city of Lashio.
The AP-4 license was advanced by APML to cover lands surrounding the historic Bawdwin zinc-lead-silver mine -- one of the largest producers of these metals in the world during its period of peak output when built and operated by British interests at the turn of the 20th century.
Since 1951, production from Bawdwin totalled over 8.1 million tonnes of ore grading an average of 4.5% zinc, 8.8% lead and 0.18% copper. This includes 5.5 million tonnes of ore produced from underground workings, which carried an average silver grade of 7.9 troy oz/t (246 g/t). This data does not capture reported production of associated nickel, antimony and gold.  www.apmining.com (ATI),