Corporate | History
Mining
The Al Masane project contains extensive ancient mineral workings and smelters which were discovered by the Company in 1967. From ancient inscriptions in the area, it is believed that mining activities went on sporadically from 1000 BC to 700 AD. The ancients are believed to have extracted mainly gold, silver and copper. Various regional investigations of the Al Masane area have been carried out by the United States Geological Survey ("USGS") mission. The first systematic mapping was by Brown and Jackson who published the Geologic Map of the Asir Quadrangle in 1959, and Greenwood carried out reconnaissance mapping in 1974 of the Wadi Malahah quadrangle, which includes Al Masane. Conway undertook geologic mapping of the area in 1976. Beginning in 1972, the Company undertook various geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys which lead to the discovery of the ore lenses. In 1975, Robertson Research International ("RRI") reviewed the exploration program completed by the Company, prepared a preliminary economic evaluation on the deposit and recommended ongoing development. In 1977, Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited of Toronto, Canada ("WGM") was retained by the Company to study the deposits and an underground development program was recommended to define the tonnage and grade of the deposit. By September 1980 a permanent exploration camp including water supply and power plant had been established. A program of 3,700 meters of underground access and development using trackless mining equipment and 25,000 meters of underground diamond drilling and 20,000 meters of surface drilling was completed by WGM in April 1981 ("Phase I"). Bulk metallurgical samples were taken from underground, and pilot plant testwork was done at the Colorado School of Mines Research to confirm the laboratory testwork completed previously by Lakefield Research in Canada on the drill core. This work was financed primarily with the $11 million interest-free loan from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance. Continued surface prospecting in the immediate area by the Company led to the discovery of the Moyeath zone in late 1980. Although the surface expression of the gossan 1 was small, preliminary diamond drilling indicated a significant massive sulphide deposit at depth. Between 1982 and 1987, infill diamond drilling was conducted on the Al Houra and Moyeath deposits which expanded the ore reserves. In addition, a number of studies relating to water supply for the project were completed. Environmental studies for the project were completed by independent consultants in 1995 as part of the bankable feasibility studies.
Pioche-Ely Valley Mines consists of 48 patented and 5 unpatented claims totaling approximately 1,500 acreas in the Pioche Mining District, Lincoln County, Nevada. There are prospects and mines on these claims that previously produced silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper. The ore bodies are both oxidized and sulfide deposits, classified into three groups: fissure veins in quartzite, mineralized granite porphyry and replacement deposits in carbonate rocks. There is a 300-ton a day processing mill on the property which is not currently in use. A significant expenditure would be required in order to put the mill into continuous operation if commerical mining is to be conducted on the property.
Petrochemical 
South Hampton Resources (“SHR”), an independent petrochemical manufacturer, has progressed through several stages over its history to emerge as a strongly competitive specialty petrochemical processor. Over fifty years ago, SHR was a small company whose original purpose was to upgrade natural gasoline into finished regular and premium gasoline for the local Silsbee, Texas market. During the first 10 to 15 years the Company developed several industry firsts. One of these was the commercial development of the molecular sieve process to remove normal paraffins from kerosene. Another was the development and operation of the world’s first hydro-dealkylation process.
From 1970 forward the Company experienced growth along with the rest of the industry. SHR installed its first crude oil fractionating equipment and soon expanded the capacity to 20,000 barrels per day at the refinery on the 80 acres in Hardin County. In 1975 2,000 acres on the Neches River were purchased and the development of a deep water terminal began. Over 50 miles of pipeline were constructed between the refinery and the future terminal. By 1980 this terminal had the capacity to store over 2,000,000 barrels of crude oil and products. The terminal was sold to Texas Eastern in 1984 when the Company was forced by the adverse economic climate of the times to give it up.
The Company at that time went through a complete reformation and found a niche in an industry dominated by the major oil companies. South Hampton’s versatility and reputation for innovative specialty processing were the strengths that were emphasized, and soon the Hardin County refinery was reconfigured to a high purity solvents operation doing business primarily with the plastics industry.
With over 40 years of experience the company is now the industry leader in product quality and service to the customer. Quality is the focal point of South Hampton. Since July of 1987 all our products have been produced under Statistical Process Control (SPC) to ensure the highest quality and consistency. Testing of the feedstock, intermediate, and final products is done meticulously in our own laboratories at each stage of the manufacturing and delivery process.
A smaller but historically steady segment of the business has been the toll processing and product development work that has been done for others in the industry. The wide variety of available equipment and the ready source of good quality hydrogen has enabled South Hampton Resources to assist others with their particular needs. Past and present customers include almost every major oil company and many chemical companies. South Hampton is known for its ability to act quickly and for its flexibility in meeting the customer’s needs.
Which brings us to the most important ingredient: the people who make up South Hampton Resources. We believe that as a group we have the highest quality, most reliable, and most concerned workforce in the industry. We are a specialized company made up of people who care. We are a service business dedicated to providing our customers true value for their money. South Hampton’s goal is two-fold:
- To have our exceptionally high quality solvent products lead the industry; and
- to continue to maintain our ability to provide the facilities and equipment to do specialty processing for our customers in a timely and efficient manner.