KRG Ministry of Natural Resources

01 June 2016

SUBJECT: MINERAL EXPLORATION & INVESTMENT IN THE KURDISTAN REGION-IRAQ

NOTICE OF INVITATION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq (KRG) invites expressions of interest from qualified international mining companies for the ‘Mineral Exploration & Investment in the Kurdistan Region-Iraq’.

According to the available data, historical reports, and recent investigations, the MNR has identified 7 prospective blocks for investment. All 7 blocks are believed to hold sufficient mineral deposits for the purposes of commercial extraction.

A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for each of these blocks will be issued following a review of the Expressions of Interest (EoI) received. Interested parties that demonstrate requisite capability and alignment with the MNR’s requirements will be invited to submit proposals for one or more blocks.

Those chosen parties will be asked to sign a Confidentially Agreement with the MNR, after which they will receive a comprehensive data package pertaining to the 7 prospective blocks that have been identified. The package will include a GIS database and geological reports.

Interested parties are invited to submit their EoI by 17:00 hrs on the 15^th of September 2016, by email to this address: mining@mnr.krg.org. The MNR shall formally respond to all interested parties via email as and when all EoIs have been reviewed.

Interested parties should note the following:

1. Background

The Kurdistan Region’s mineral profile is characterised by the occurrence of diverse metallic mineral deposits such as Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Chrome (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) which are believed to have derived from magmatic, hydrothermal and sedimentary origins, beside or in association with some other non-metallic mineral deposits such as Barite, Talc & Asbestos.

Most of the metallic deposits are in the Suture zone which is related to various phases of the region’s tectonic plate history (Neo-Tethys Oceanic event), where igneous activities with deep-seated faults are the likely causes of the origin of mineralisation to the north east of the region, while hydrothermal activities are the likely cause for metallic deposits to the north of the region.

According to the available data and reports, 7 prospective blocks have been identified for investment:

• Blocks 1 & 2 (Dohuk)

• Blocks 3 & 4 (Erbil)

• Blocks 5, 6 & 7 (Sulaimaniyah)

2.       EoI Format

EoI should be submitted in PDF file format by email (mining@mnr.krg.org) and should include the following information:

1. Introductory Letter – provide a letter introducing your company, providing a brief overview of who you are and what your intentions are.

2. Experience – provide details and evidence of relevant previous and current projects in the mineral sector. The Government may wish to visit listed current projects further down the line.

3. Financial – provide evidence of the necessary financial capabilities to perform the project.

4. Due Diligence - provide necessary background details for the Government to be able to conduct its basic due diligence on the company. Companies that do not pass the basic due diligence process will not be invited to tender.

3. Response Deadline

Interested Parties must submit their expression by 17:00 hrs on 15^th of September 2016.

4. Communication

Interested parties should direct all submissions and queries to the MNR by email using the following email address: mining@mnr.krg.org.

5. Submission Acceptance

EoIs in compliance with the aforementioned requirements shall be reviewed by the MNR. Those EoIs deemed to have met the Minimum Eligibility Criteria shall qualify to receive the official RFP. The MNR may request the applicant to supplement the information in its submission.

Applicants not meeting the Minimum Eligibility Criteria will be deemed to be disqualified and will be excluded from the bid process. No correspondence or representation will be entertained and the Government's decision will be final in this regard.

Interested parties should refer to this report (please click here to view or download) in order to prepare submissions. We look forward to receiving your expression of interest.

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

Please click here for a PDF version of this Notice of Invitation of Expression of Interest.