RE: GLR6 Dec 2025 10:01
Re. Molefe, RNS 6/10/2025 "The lower grade material is targeted for future on-site processing, with plans for two 30 000tpm modular processing units ... plant will be designed for the low-grade ROM that incorporates a copper leaching, solid liquid separation, and copper precipitation circuit. To date, approximately 2 million tonnes of lower grade material has already been stockpiled at Molefe Mine in anticipation of the processing units being implemented. The implementation of the first copper processing unit at Molefe Mine is targeted for the end of Q4 FY2026 and offers an increase in copper units of a further 120tpm to reach 320tpm (3 840 tonnes per annum) prior to any further expansion of the mining operations. This is likely to cost around US$9 million and can be implemented in phases."
So cost estimate $9 million, increase in production 1,440 t/an. LME Copper price $11,000/t. Estimated sale value of contained copper in concentrate at 85% of LME, $9,350. Cost estimate, $5,350/t (but previously quoted variously at $4,000/t or even $3,800/t for the LWRP where we own the resource). Net profit per tonne, $4,000. Annual profit, $5,760,000. Payback time (9,000,000/5,760,000) approx. 19 months. Mining projects are typically characterized by high capital intensity and long time horizons, with standard payback periods often ranging from 5 to 10 years for production plants and even 10 to 20 years for large-scale mining projects. A 19-month payback period is a very rapid recovery of the initial investment.
Molefe, producing 8,500t/mth high grade ore to Sable plus 2 modules treating low grade ore, would have an annual production of contained Copper of approx. 9,000t/an. Double it to include Project G and add in Roan producing 4 - 5,000t/an and there is production of 22 - 23,000t/an. Then there is the Large Waste Rock Project....