Investment Opportunities in Metallic Minerals in Yemen

Information from previous projects and mineral exploration and prospecting results indicates the presence of significant mineral deposits of gold, lead, zinc, copper, silver, nickel, iron, and titanium. Previous studies have shown that the geological conditions and other factors in Yemen are somewhat consistent with the ideal models recorded regionally and globally. Based on the geological studies conducted, investment opportunities in metal minerals in Yemen have been identified in several areas, such as gold, copper-nickel-platinum, zinc-lead, iron-titanium, tungsten, tin, radioactive elements, and rare earth minerals. The following is a summary of these opportunities:

1- Gold

Gold is found associated with deposits of other metallic minerals, such as copper and arsenopyrite, in disseminated form in mineralized rocks and in the gaps of veins in the form of compressed lenses in volcanic and metamorphic sedimentary rocks, and in amphibolite rocks of the Precambrian basement rocks. Gold is also found in Tertiary volcanic rocks. The results of exploratory studies, which included geological and geochemical surveys, have indicated the presence of more than 50 sites containing gold and silver. The following are the most important gold blocks in Yemen:

First: Areas open for investment:

Preliminary geological and geochemical exploratory studies of a number of samples have shown encouraging results for the presence of gold, the most important of which are the following areas:

1- Rabaq - Al-Namasah - Al-Jawf Governorate: 5.3 grams of gold/ton

2- Al-Matmah - Al-Jawf Governorate: 5.4 grams of gold/ton

3- Jabal Sabrin - Al Jawf Governorate: 18 grams of gold per ton.

4- Al Rayyan - Al Jawf Governorate: 4.6 grams of gold per ton.

5- Haydan-Saqin - Sa'dah Governorate: 7.3 grams of gold per ton.

6- Nawah-Ba'lan - Hajjah Governorate: 4 grams of gold per ton.

7- Bahrah-Hareeb Al Qaramish - Ma'rib Governorate: 16.5 grams of gold per ton.

8- Najd-Al Malaji - Shabwah Governorate: 17 grams of gold per ton.

9- Waraqah - Dhamar Governorate: 120 ppb of gold.

10- A'am - Hajjah Governorate: 75 grams of gold per ton.

11- Atmah - Dhamar Governorate: 3.2 grams of gold per ton.

12- Al Wazi'iyah - Taiz Governorate: 0.6 grams of gold per ton.

13- Shatba - Abyan: 35 grams/ton of gold.

Second: Granted Areas:

1- Al-Faydh - Sa'dah: 11.7 grams/ton gold (Yemen Minerals Company) as of April 2016

2- Al-Harqa - Hajjah: 16 million tons, 1.65 grams/ton gold surface reserves. The reserve is estimated at 40 million tons to a depth of 100 meters, with an estimated grading of 1.55 grams/ton gold (granted to the Canadian company Cantex).

3- Wadi Shars - Hajjah: 2.5 grams/ton gold (granted to Thani Dubai Mining Company).

4- Wadi Madan - Hadhramaut: 15 grams/ton gold (granted to Thani Dubai Mining Company).

5- Wadi Mor Block (Hajjah Governorate): 20-170 grams/ton gold (granted to Almar Yemeni Company since 2012).

6- Wadi La'ah Block (Hajjah Governorate): 20-3 grams/ton gold (granted to Ensan Company). (Yemeni Wikfs Company since 2014)

7- (Al Bayda Governorate) 1.3 grams/ton of gold (awarded to Insan Wikfs Company and Yemen since 2012)

8- Jabal Ras Nahas Block 3%, 0.62 grams/ton gold (awarded to Yemeni Wikfs Company since 2012)

2- Zinc and Lead Minerals

Zinc and lead mineralizations are found in Yemen within the rocks of the Amran limestone group (Jurassic) associated with the Ramlat al-Saba'atin depression. They occur in the form of layers, cracks, and pockets in the dolomite rocks. These mineralizations are also found within dolomite and limestone rocks dating back to the Paleocene. The following are the most important zinc and lead blocks in Yemen:

First: Areas open for investment:

Preliminary geological and geochemical exploration studies have shown encouraging results for a number of samples regarding the presence of zinc, lead, and silver, the most important of which are the areas The following:

1. Dhibin - Amran Governorate: 16% zinc.

2. Bran - Al-Kool - Sana'a: 16.5% zinc, 6.5% lead.

3. Haylan - Ma'rib Governorate: 4.5% zinc, 4 grams of silver/ton.

4. Jardan - Shabwah Governorate: 0.3% zinc, 1% lead.

5. Tabaq - Jabal Al-Jibal - Shabwah Governorate: 12% zinc, 3.8% lead.

6. Yabath - Shabwah Governorate: 4.8% zinc.

7. Ramah - Shabwah Governorate: 7% zinc.

8. Arqa - Shabwah Governorate: 792 ppm zinc.

9. Ras Sharwin - Hadhramaut Governorate: 1% zinc, 6.2% lead.

10 - Wadi Al-Masila - Hadhramaut: 8% zinc, 12% lead.

Second: Granted Areas:

1 - Jabal Salb - Sana'a: 12.6 million tons at a concentration of 9% zinc, 1.2% lead, and 68 grams/ton silver (granted to Jabal Salb-Yemen Limited).

3 - Copper, Nickel, and Platinum Group Minerals

Copper, nickel, and cobalt mineralizations are widespread in Yemen within Precambrian basic and ultrabasic rocks (and intrusive rocks). Exploratory studies have indicated the presence of several island arcs composed of belts of volcanic sedimentary rocks containing features that indicate the presence of an environment suitable for hosting copper, nickel, and cobalt minerals. The following are the most important copper, nickel, and platinum group sites:

First: Areas open for investment:

Geological and geochemical exploration studies have shown encouraging results for a number of samples containing copper and nickel, the most important of which are the following:

1. Wadi Ma'bar, Sa'dah Governorate: 0.3 ppm palladium.

2. Wadi Salabah, Al Jawf Governorate: 1.7% copper, 4.7% chromium.

3. Wadi Siryan, Qafah, Al Bayda Governorate: 3.4% copper, 1.3 ppm palladium, 61 ppm platinum.

4. Al Zaher, Al Bayda Governorate: 2.32% copper, 16.6 g/t silver.

5. Al Qadeer, Shabwah Governorate: 1.5 ppm platinum, 1.3% chromium.

6. Al Qubaytah, Taiz Governorate: 140 ppm palladium, 87 ppm platinum.

7- Qutaba, Hajjah Governorate: 0.8% nickel, 0.3% copper.

8- Suwar, Amran Governorate: 1.4% nickel, 0.9% copper.

9- Ghubar, Hadhramaut Governorate: 1.2% copper.

Second: Granted Areas:

1- Al-Musannah, Sa'dah Governorate: 1.21% copper, 7.65% nickel.

2- Al-Fadhah - Bayhan, Al-Bayda: 4% copper, 1.5% nickel (awarded to the Yemeni company Insan and Wikvis)

3- Al-Hamura: 4 million tons at 60.0% copper, 0.4% nickel (Yemeni company Inmar since 2010)

4- Jabal Al-Maidan: 3.4% copper, 10.5% nickel (Yemeni company Insan and Wikvis)

4- Rare Earth Elements, Al-Bayda

Important rare earth element mineralizations are found in the Republic of Yemen in carbonatite and pegmatite rocks within the Precambrian basement rocks, such as in the Lawdar area (Al-Bayda), Nisab, Marboon (Shabwa), and Sabbab-Barha (Abyan), and in the Tertiary granitic intrusions, such as in the Malhan area (Al-Mahwit). The following is a summary of the most important rare earth element mineralizations in Yemen:

First: Areas open for investment:

Preliminary geological exploration studies have shown Geochemical results are encouraging for the presence of rare earth element mineralization.