About Us

Rafaela Mining is a closely held company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of Chile since 2005.

In the year 2008, the company acquired -from Blue Ice who purchased the claims in 2005, from Disputada Ltda.(a former Exxon Coal & Minerals Subsidiary)- the copper and silver minerals exploration claims named "Rafaela Uno a Rafaela Cinco", comprising a total area of 25 hectares situated in the hill that form the east slope of El Cobre Ravine in the Peña Blanca ranch, at Cabildo commune in the Petorca province in the Chilean Region of Valparaíso.

History

Rafaela Mining was created on 2005 by his main owner Mr. Fernando Silva, and is regulated by the Chilean Legislation.

Mr. Fernando Silva, Mining Engineer, is the President and controller shareholder of the entity Minera Rafaela S.A. with 99,00% of its shares, being this corporation the registered owner of "the registered records of domain of the five claims that composed the Rafaela Mining grants". Mr. Silva is also the controller shareholder of Blue Ice S.A., the company that acquired the Rafaela mining grants from Disputada Ltda. in 2005.

This mining grants corresponds a historic underground copper mine, which has operated spasmodically since the early 1950. The mine was initially developed by D'azaita, french company that reached a production level of 3,000 tons per month (3 KTPM) with grades of over 3% copper.

Since mine acquisition by the current owner, different exploration works have been performed, such as a 250 meters (m.) long access tunnel, 480 m. long ramp for hauling, 298 m. long on several ore passes, 180 m. long ventilation raise, 150 m. long blind raises and 1.855 m. on various tunnels. Additionally, among other drifts along with the exploitation of two main levels, L 779 and L 756. Also, on surface a detailed recognition was done, including topography, geology, sampling, 1,600 m. roads, trial-pits, among other works.

Currently, Rafaela is producing at rate of 12,000 tons of copper ore a year with a copper grade of 2,5% average, which is sold run of mine (ROM) to Enami (the Chilean state owned mining processing company that process, smelt, refine and commercialized the copper ore extracted by medium–small size miners).