Great Western's refurbishment project at Steenkampskraal on target

Great Western Minerals (CVE:GWG) said Monday the refurbishment of its Steenkampskraal rare earth project is well underway, and is progressing towards the year-end 2011 completion date, as scheduled.
The company previously announced it hired East Rand Engineering Services to refurbish the mine decline, to construct the head gear and winding house, and to install the underground infrastructure, including ventilation fans and underground stores.
"We are very pleased with the progress being made on the refurbishment project and with the work of East Rand Engineering Service," said president and CEO, Jim Engdahl.
"Under the direction of Steenkampskraal Project Director Vincent Mora, we remain right on track to complete this component of the Steenkampskraal project prior to the end of 2011, as scheduled."
Indeed, fabrication work has been completed at the two shop sites that Great Western chose in early June, while permanent winder controls are at the 95% completion stage, and remain on schedule for a September 7 completion, it said.
In addition, decline refurbishment is underway, with the first 45 metres of the decline having been cast in concrete.
The Steenkampskraal rare earth mine is located about 70 kilometres north of the town of Vanrhynsdorp, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, roughly 350 kilometres north and west of Cape Town.
Great Western's rare earth specialty alloys are used in the battery, magnet and aerospace industries, and are produced at its subsidiaries, Less Common Metals in Birkenhead, U.K., and Great Western Technologies in Troy, Michigan. These alloys contain aluminium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements.
Great Western's stock on the TSX-Venture Exchange rose 1.33% as of 9:58 am EDT on Monday, to trade at $0.76 per share.