With up front capital costs of C$665 million, the payback period will be 2.3 years. It could produce 1.9 million oz. of palladium and 467 million tonnes of copper as well as platinum, gold and silver over a 13-year mine life. An open pit, truck and shovel mine is planned with three pits.
The mineral processing plant will feature a SAG mill and pebble crusher followed by a ball mill (SABC). Ground ore will pass through a flotation circuit with rougher flotation, concentrate regrind, and three stages of cleaning. After the initial construction phase, a PGM-scavenger circuit will be added.
The mine would produce an estimated 245,000 palladium equivalent ounces per year.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
