Since changing to a market-based economic system, Laos has continued to recognise the importance of developing its mineral resources, including hydro power. Having no industrial base and limited arable land, the value of its mineral resources is increasingly recognised. Due to its recent history, Chinese and Vietnamese interests have enjoyed a significant advantage over western interests and the majority of minerals concessions and licences are held by companies from these countries, sometimes in conjunction with minority Lao partners.

In June 2008 Amanta signed an agreement with the Government of Laos to explore and evaluate a very prospective area of 200 km² in the north of the country, the Luang Namtha project, making it one of the very few foreign companies to be granted such a concession. The area, mainly underlain by volcanic rocks and intrusives, has considerable high grade copper-silver outcrop and float.

Early reconnaissance of these materials yielded copper values up to 6%, silver values up to 14 oz/t and molybdenum values up to 0.8%. Detailed surface, geochemical – including stream sediment and soil sampling – mapping, and ground geophysics programmes have been carried out, and recently a reconnaissance drilling programme was also completed, with follow-up resource drilling planned for the 2011-2012 field season. Amanta is also pursuing a second copper project, to which end it has entered into a JV with a local company, and the Company is also making application for a third copper-silver project. Laos has a stable and attractive mining environment and the Company recognizes itself as a First Mover there.

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