Find Greener Pastures

tristass asked:


Term, Prairie Downs Has Exciting Potential In Vanadium; Short-Term It’s A Good Job That Mine Development Work Is On Hold

It’s not often that you can look at an emerging base metals miner and think how fortunate it is that a commitment to a mine development hasn’t been made. But a perfect example of what might be called a financial near-miss comes from the experience of small Australian explorer, Prairie Downs Metals. A few months ago, Prairie Downs Metals came close to proceeding with development on the Prairie Downs silver-lead-zinc project near BHP Billiton’s big Mt Newman iron ore mine in Western Australia. If it had, Prairie Downs, both the company and the mine, would be struggling to make ends meet in an extraordinarily depressed market for all metals. Instead, the company has been able to re-organise its affairs and continue with a resource upgrading exercise and an exploration programme which continues to reveal tantalising indications of additional mineralisation, and all with enough cash parked in the bank to ride out the global financial storm.

“The downturn has certainly prompted us to wind back our drilling programme, but not lose sight of the potential,” says Prairie Downs director, Alex Pismiris. He explains that the primary objective of current work is to boost the high-grade component of the orebody. “We’re targeting a resource to support a minimum of five years of high-grade production,” he says. “Conceptually, we can see expanding the resource from 1.6 million tonnes to between two and 2.5 million tonnes of material grading between 8 and 12% zinc, between 1 and 2% lead and between 10 and 20 grams of silver a tonne. But, to get those numbers we need to carry out more drilling and resource studies, and get the results from a lot of drill core still waiting to be assayed.”

While work continues on the silver-lead-zinc potential of Prairie Downs, the company’s geologists have also picked up the first sniffs of what might be a world-class vanadium structure within the main project area. In mid-October Pismiris re-kindled interest in the company with a brief report outlining the presence of unusually rich vanadium mineralisation. Surface sampling which followed preliminary x-ray fluorescence analysis yielded rocks grading more than 1% vanadium over a 3.7 kilometre strike.

“The problem we’ve had with the vanadium is that local laboratories couldn’t handle the material because it was above their detection limits,” Pismiris says. “They’re sent the material to Canada where it can be tested. We’re waiting on the results, but we suspect the samples are in the order of 2 to 3% vanadium.” If that estimate is right it would be one of the world’s richer vanadium structures. The Windimurra mine to the south of Prairie Downs assays at around 0.46% vanadium and the best mines in the world, on South Africa’s Bushveld, assay 1.5%. “We need to gather a lot more data on the vanadium before we know whether we’re on to something significant, but it’s certainly encouraging so far,” Pismiris continues.

Perhaps of more immediate interest, though, is the potential of the company’s zinc business which, at the last global estimate, currently stands at a resource of 4.7 million tonnes of material at a grade of 6.3% zinc, 1.8% lead and 18 grams of silver a tonne, using a 1% zinc cut-off. Given the crash in the zinc price, and slightly smaller crash in the lead price, it is a good thing that Prairie Downs did not proceed to develop what would now look to be a rather skinny project. “What we’ve outlined so far represents a resource of 295,000 tonnes of zinc and 83,000 tonnes of lead, but we need more of that, or more of the higher grade material, to go the next step towards development,” Pismiris says.

He continues by explaining that the company plans to release an upgraded resource estimate soon, based on the most recent drill results. “We still have a lot of core in assay labs,” he says. “It’ll probably take a month or two to catch up with the assay work. But once we get that data we can plug the numbers into a model and spit out a new resource number. We’re reasonably confident that we will grow the resource quite significantly, especially of the high-grade material.”

“The work underway on site now is really to test the mineralisation along the Prairie Downs fault,” he says. “But, rather than hitting that with a diamond rig or RC we’re looking to cut costs by using a smaller, lightweight, air-core rig. That work will test the depth of vanadium mineralisation along strike, as well as giving us more information on the zinc and lead. We’re still exploring, but at a much lower spend.” Pismiris says the work to date has only touched on part of the main fault zone, but has nonetheless revealed a number of mineralised hot spots. “Our goal has always been to prove up the main lode, and then step out from there once we get a substantial resource.”

For investors the key messages coming from Prairie Downs are that it is close to having a mine, but not yet close enough, especially in this environment of low metals prices. Indeed if the company had decided to follow through on the results of a feasibility study that was completed in the June quarter, it might now be in a spot of bother. That study found that a project processing 500,000 tonnes of ore, expandable to one million tonnes, would have a capital cost of around A$86 million. It included a detailed mine plan, costings, and a development schedule pointing to a production start-up at the end of 2010. A few weeks after the release of that report Prairie Downs started a senior management change process, which ended with the 2nd October resignation of managing director, Mark Hansen, and the start of a search for his replacement, with Pismiris in charge until a full-time replacement is found.

On the market, Prairie Downs Metals has suffered the same as other base metal explorer/producers. Since peaking at A$1.40 at this time last year, the stock recently slipped to a low of A11 cents, a price which values the business at an untaxing A$8 million, not much above the cash backing of A$6.8 million. In other words, each dollar in market capitalisation is backed by about A85 cents in cash, with the Prairie Downs orebody assigned limited value – a reflection of the current state of the overall market, but certainly making Prairie Downs a stock to keep an eye on as markets settle

Loyal7 asked:

I **** this. I am more than qualified for getting any job in this town. I have a 4.0 GPA right now with honors and many places are hiring but nobody wants me. I’m depressed and I need help

Jenny K asked:


~.~ Job Hunting GRRR’s ~.~

sports0705 asked:


I am graduating from Northern Illinois University this December with a BS in Finance. I am looking for any tips on good companies to work for(based on personal experience, not random polls) in the Chicagoland area. Also, any tips on how I can make myself stand out from the rest of the applicants in the tough times we are in would be appreciated. Any other help you can offer would be great. Thanks in advance!

Catherine Zandueta asked:


Job hunting doesn’t have to be a pain. Be prepared, look in the right places, and maximize your search. Here are a few tips for your job hunt.

Check your local newspaper for jobs. This can be a tedious task especially when you can search for jobs online. The only reason to search for jobs in your local newspaper is when you don’t have access to a computer. You can read a newspaper anywhere like in line at the grocery store, while you’re having lunch or riding the bus. Sometimes you can find a job in the paper that you didn’t see online. It can’t hurt to give it a peek.

The best way to job hunt is online. Hunting for jobs online is the easiest way to look through job ads. These websites have time-saving features you can utilize in your search. One great feature is the keyword search. You can type in a certain phrase or job title and you’ll receive a list of results that match your search.

Within this search you can sort the job ads by date so that you see the recently posted job ads instead ads that have been out for two weeks or more. You can forget about those jobs. Employers have either hired someone by that time or at least received dozens and dozens of resumes that will take weeks to weed through. If they still can’t find someone the employer will repost the job anyway. Don’t waste your time with old posts. The trick is to apply to a new posting as early as possible, preferably the same day.

Anther way to search job web sites is by location or zip code. This allows you to really set the area that you wish to work. No point in looking at a position that’s two hours away unless you’re heart is set on that particular company.

Once you’ve located the jobs you want, the next step is to send out your resume. You should already have your resume done before you search for jobs. You can’t be the first to email or fax your resume if you still have to take a day to polish it. Your resume should be ready to go so that you can make minor changes quickly in order to tailor your resume to a particular position.

Most companies will ask you to email your resume. Be sure to have your resume in a file that can be opened by most programs. A Word file is a good option. Pay attention to the job ad. Does it ask you not to send your resume as an attachment? Many companies don’t like to open attachments because of computer viruses. If you see this warning, copy and paste your resume into the body of your email. Email it to yourself first so you can see what it looks like. Change any fonts or bullet points if it doesn’t show well in email format.

Whether you use the newspaper or the Internet, job searching doesn’t have to be a pain. The trick is to be prepared to send out your resume at a moment’s notice. Soon you’ll have the job you’re looking for.

Life Resources asked:


Are you concerned about your health? Do you experience health problems?

Have you heard about the Law of Attraction?

The Law of Attraction is a universal Law that can help you in achieving good health and well being.

There are literally millions of people that are depending on medicines to make them feel better and to become healthy. While it is true, that we do need medicine sometimes it is also true that many people who are dependent on medicine could get well by using the Law of Attraction.

You may ask how the Law of Attraction works to improve your well being?

The Law of Attraction is a universal law. This means that everybody on this earth is affected by this law. While it is true that most people do not even know about the Law of Attraction, the people who do know however can create their lives deliberately in the way that they want to.

The Law of Attraction responds to our individual vibrations. We can have good or bad vibrations. The Law of Attraction will bring to us what we are vibrating, so if our vibs are good we get more of what matches the same vibs, if our vibrations are bad we get more of that kind. We are vibrational beings and whatever we are thinking and feeling affects what we are vibrating. So how can you change vibrations? You can change your vibrations by changing the way you think or feel.

Here are some effective tools to change your vibrations and to improve your health and well being:

1. Start meditation sessions daily. Choose a quiet place for this. You can do this any

time of the day. Turn off TVs, radios, phones aso. To be sure that everything can stay quiet around you during your meditation. This is important so that there are no distractions if possible. When you are meditating you are connecting to universal energy. You want to dismiss any thought that may enter your mind during this session. You want to keep quiet and still and if possible you want to give your mind a chance to relax along with your body. This is essential for your overall well being and will help you with your goal for better health.

2. Focus on positive thought patterns. Try to avoid negative thoughts. If you worry or experience anxieties you will soon notice a difference when doing your meditations regularly. Put positive information into your mind. Read up on encouraging success stories about people who have experienced recoveries from health problems against all arts. This will help you to develop positive thought patterns. The Law of Attraction will respond accordingly.

3. To help to impress thinking of health and well being on your subconscious mind

you can say some affirmations daily for at least 10 minutes. Here are just 2 examples of affirmations that may work for you: ” I am healthy and strong and I love my body, or I am grateful for my health and well being, I thank my body “! These affirmations may not describe your current health but they describe what you want to feel like and they describe the kind of health that you want. The Law of Attraction will respond to this. The law is that like attracts like. There is no exception.

To find out more about the Law of Attraction you can spend just a few minutes online. There are also many books written about the subject of the Law of Attraction that you can read when visiting a local bookstore or checking out books online.

Why not get started today and enjoy better health by using the Law of Attraction?

Hilary asked:


I just graduated from college this past may with degrees in Economics and Politics Government. I have been looking for jobs since March it seems with no luck.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I be looking in a better job market (right now in WI)? What kind of industries should I start checking out? Any advice would be much appreciated!!!

sunflowerlady asked:


I’ve been looking for a job for more than fourteen months. I have several freelance assignments going right now but really want something full time. I send out resumes and go on interviews and the interviews seem to go well - but no offers. Any ideas or suggestions? I’m open to anything! Thanks for your advice!

Dave Poon asked:


Nowadays, looking for a job is easy; this is because of the tools available online.

One effective tool for job hunting is job search engine. It allows you to look for job vacancies on a certain area or even globally.

What these job search engines do is create a bank of jobs, which came from different companies. Then, they categorized the collected data so that job seekers can easily locate a job appropriate for them.

This also provide convenience to job seekers since the search process has been narrowed down into just job listings instead of using a regular search engine that may provide you a long list of results and some may not even be associated with the job you are looking for.

Another advantage of using job search engines is their large job bank. If you are looking for job and does not have restrictions on the job location, then using job search engines is good for you.

Unlike the job ads in newspapers, which can only provide you limited search ads and you cannot go back to the ads posted the other day, job search engines provides a wide range of selection and are searchable as long as the job is still offered by the company.

However, some job search engines are limited only to certain regions or countries so you may want to check the services offered before choosing a job search engine.

Job search engines are also easy to use because all you have to do is using the search box. They even list the job per category so you can also view all job listings for a specific job position.

Some job search engine also great features offered by, which will make your job-hunting much easier. These include:

Free resume posting.

Job search engines often allow you to post your resume. Then, the job search engine will use this information so it can identify which job is right for you.

Instead of looking for a job yourself, the job search engine will send you an email with the list of new job posting which matches your preferred job, credentials and work experience (based on the resume you posted).

View company profile.

Knowing the background of the company that you are applying for is important so that you know if you share the same vision with what the company has. Also, from the profile, you can see what the company can offer to you.

This can help you decide if you really would like to be part of the company before even applying to them. You can also make comparison among companies if ever they posted same job openings. Thus, you can first collect and just select the best later on.

Customizable search.

If you would like to narrow your search and would view only job openings that meet your preset criteria, utilizing the customizable search can do this. Criteria can be job location, expected salary, schedule preference, category search or employment type.

Get job advice.

Some search engine sites even extend their help by providing tips and advice about your job or job hunting. You can look up for articles about resume writing, preparing for an interview, etc.

You may even send an email to them or chat with their agent about a problem you are having with your job or if you are having difficulty looking for a job.

With the many services and features of job search engines, they can effectively help you in landing to your dream job.

expertvillage asked:

Job hunting advice. Learn tips on how to find out if you spelling someone’s name correctly in this free self-editing lesson for writers and job seekers.