Over the mission’s 19-year mine life, manufacturing is predicted to common 68,000 tonnes of copper and three.6 million tonnes of iron focus, at first quartile money prices of $0.33/lb. of payable copper. Beforehand, the mine life was one yr shorter with decrease annual copper manufacturing at 62,000 tonnes.
In the course of the first seven years, manufacturing at Santo Domingo is predicted to common 106,000 tonnes of copper and three.7 million tonnes of iron focus at even decrease money prices of $0.28/lb., in contrast with $0.61/lb. earlier than.
The preliminary capital value of $2.3 billion is predicted to drive a capital depth of roughly $21,900 per tonne of annual copper equal manufacturing over the lifetime of mine, Capstone stated. Payback interval for the capital is estimated at three years.
“The 2024 feasibility research considerably enhances the mine’s economics backed by low capital depth and first quartile prices,” Capstone CEO John MacKenzie stated in a information launch.
“A building choice and the combination of Santo Domingo represents the following section of our transformational development as we change into a number one long-life and low-cost producer of important metals important for the world’s decarbonization efforts.”
Capstone stated the up to date FS for the Santo Domingo mission marks a significant step in direction of the creation of a world-class district within the Atacama area of Chile. The proposed mine, which can comprise two open pits, is situated 35 km northeast of the corporate’s 70%-owned Mantoverde mine.
In late 2022, the corporate introduced an integration plan for the 2 mines, from which it’s concentrating on over 200,000 tonnes of annual low-cost copper manufacturing, amounting to $80-$100 million of financial savings per yr.
This yr, the Mantoverde mine is predicted ramp up its manufacturing from roughly 35,000 tonnes yearly to a run price of 120,000 tonnes of copper a yr by together with the processing of sulphide materials. Lately, the expanded Mantoverde mission produced its first saleable copper focus.
“Having not too long ago accomplished building at our Mantoverde growth mission, we now have an skilled mine-build staff which as we speak is uncommon in our business,” Cashel Meagher, president and COO, stated.
“The feasibility research for Santo Domingo outlines an actionable funding alternative with a sexy price of return and a brief payback interval.”
“Over time, we plan to additional increase these base case numbers with extra alternatives, together with unlocking cobalt manufacturing within the district, processing Santo Domingo’s oxides at Mantoverde, and persevering with to discover the district to enhance our understanding of the longer-term potential,” he added.