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They used 16 scenarios of which ALL! where cash positive.
In ground values @
8k 10.4B
9k 11.7B
10k 13B
11k 14.3B
Some will be @.15 cut off and .1!
The old capex was 1 Billion and they will reduce that with the new concentrator study.
I think it is significant that all where positive even not including the Billion cappex.
... More recently, AMT have elected to install dense media separation for pre-concentration at its Copper Creek project near San Manuel, Arizona. Crushing to À13 mm followed by DMS will reject 75±80% of the feed while maintaining copper recoveries of 93±95% [15]. Although the primary incentive for these installations is increased plant capacity and reduced capital and operating costs, bene®ts are also realized for waste management.
... The main incentive for pre-concentration is economic. For the AMT Copper Creek Project in Arizona, a pre-feasibility study estimated capital costs were more than 50% lower with dense media separation than using direct flotation and operating costs were 44% lower (McCulloch et al, 1999). For the McKinnon Creek deposit in British Columbia, pre-concentration significantly improved the economic viability of the project, due to the reduced waste disposal costs and lower transport costs as preconcentrated ore was to be transported to an existing processing facility some distance from the mine (Trafford, 1998a(Trafford, , 1998b. ...
Recent laboratory bench scale and pilot plant metallurgical tests at Mountain States R and D International have demonstrated that some copper ores because of relatively co**** copper sulfide mineralization can be preconcentrated by heavy media separation (HMS). In tests with a copper ore from the AMT Copper Creek project near San Manuel, Arizona, HMS preconcentration rejected about 75 to 80 percent of the feed as a minus 13 mm gravel. The HMS concentrates copper recoveries were about 93 to 95 percent. With the incorporation of HMS preconcentration, significant capital and operating costs savings have been projected for the proposed AMT Copper Creek concentrator. An overview of the HMS preconcentration step development for the AMT Copper Creek project is presented. Also presented are other potential applications of HMS preconcentration for copper ore processing
The old opex was approximately US $300m P/A
If they can reduce it to say US $200m P/A
That's US $5 Billion over 25 years.
Add in the capex at say US $750M or even the original US $1 Billion.
Even at the Conservative 8k per tonne, over $4.4 Billion left! That's US $175 million P/A revenue.
So basically, you can't get a pre feasibility on an inferred resource. This is why we have some indicated and will drill more to change the high grade top, into indicated. Why? Because you can't say to AA your building a mine, without a pre feasibility study. We need a sufficient pre feasibility study to declare decision to mine and break away from AA or they take it.
Regarding there not being Capex added to the economics so far, this is irrelevant as they do not know what the new Capex is, so why tell us now and then change it. I know Steve is saying this is terrible and they are doing it because otherwise it is not economical.....blah blah. That's a load of rubbish as the original capex was only $1 Billion us dollars. With a reduction of capex from the concentration being added, it may drop to $750M.
The opex may reduce by 65% with the concentration process.
The current 1.3 MT is worth $10.4 Billion at a very Conservative $8k per tonne.
$13 Billion at $10k
Indicated Mineral Resource
An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality,
densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the
application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the
economic viability of the deposit.
Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing
and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation.
An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured
Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve.
Mineralization may be classified as an Indicated Mineral Resource by the Qualified Person when the nature,
quality, quantity and distribution of data are such as to allow confident interpretation of the geological
framework and to reasonably assume the continuity of mineralization. The Qualified Person must recognize
the importance of the Indicated Mineral Resource category to the advancement of the feasibility of the project.
An Indicated Mineral Resource estimate is of sufficient quality to support a Pre-Feasibility Study which can
serve as the basis for major development decisions.
developed mines. Inferred Mineral Resources can only be used in economic studies as provided under NI 43-
101.
There may be circumstances, where appropriate sampling, testing, and other measurements are sufficient to
demonstrate data integrity, geological and grade/quality continuity of a measured or Indicated Mineral
Resource, however, quality assurance and quality control, or other information may not meet all industry
norms for the disclosure of an indicated or Measured Mineral Resource. Under these circumstances, it may be
reasonable for the Qualified Person to report an Inferred Mineral Resource if the Qualified Person has taken
steps to verify the information meets the requirements of an Inferred Mineral Resource
Inferred Mineral Resource
An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or
quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is
sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity.
An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated
Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the
majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with
continued exploration.
An Inferred Mineral Resource is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate
sampling techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. Inferred Mineral
Resources must not be included in the economic analysis, production schedules, or estimated mine life in
publicly disclosed pre- feasibility or feasibility studies, or in the life of mine plans and cash flow models of