AIS Resources has announced the initial trial shipment of high-grade fines manganese ore to China from a mine in San Jorge, Argentina.
More than 200 tonnes of manganese ore was shipped on 66,380t container vessel, Tian Chang He.
The company noted that there were no inspection delays on the first shipment and the voyage to Shanghai, China, is expected to take 35-37 days.
International assay surveyor Bureau Veritas del Peru conducted sampling services for the cargo and provided the export assay analysis.
The next semi-monthly shipment is expected to carry 300t at the mine site.
The company said that it is currently negotiating additional sales agreements to enable AIS to export 50 containers carrying 1,000t every two weeks from the mine.
In a statement, AIS said: “As mining progresses at other locations this will be increased to our short-term target of 10,000 tonnes per month.”
The company is also in the process of signing additional sales/joint venture (JV) agreements for high-grade lump manganese products to enable the shipping of more than 5,000t lots.
AIS Resources president and CEO Phillip Thomas said: “We are delighted to have shipped our first ten containers this week.
“Our due diligence and exploration with potential new joint-venture partners is going well, which will result in larger shipments as we refine our mining, logistics and sales contracts.
“To develop additional contacts and expand AIS’ exposure to the market, I’m looking forward to attending the China Manganese conference in late August 2019 in Ulanqab.”
AIS Resources explores and mines lithium and manganese projects. The company is currently engaged in the mining and trading of manganese ores in Peru, and exploration and development of lithium brine projects in northern Argentina.