The life of mine is 18.4 years, based on probable mineral reserves of 25.7 million tonnes at 2.51% CuEq, a 127% increase compared to the prior mineral reserve estimate. It also represents a 66% reserve conversion rate from the existing 39.1 million tonnes of indicated resources.
Based on current metal prices, the study gave the project a net present value of C$1.49 billion and internal rate of return of 46% (both figures after-tax, at a 7% discount rate), with a payback period of 2.2 years. The base case economics showed a pre-tax NPV of C$678 million and IRR of 26%.
Life-of-mine copper cash costs are expected to average $0.26/lb. (net of by-product credits), and all-in sustaining costs to average $0.90/lb. at base case prices. At current commodity prices, this translates into C$4 billion in EBITDA and C$2.3 billion in free cash flow over the current life-of-mine.
“The completion of the FS is truly an excellent…
