Hudbay Minerals Inc. (“Hudbay” or the “company”)
(TSX, NYSE: HBM) today announced the
results of the preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) of its
100%-owned Copper World Complex in Arizona, which includes the
recently discovered Copper World deposits along with the Rosemont
deposit. All dollar amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise
noted.
1 The valuation metrics presented in this news
release are based on a preliminary economic assessment that
includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral
resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do
not have demonstrated economic viability. This preliminary economic
assessment is preliminary in nature, includes inferred resources
that are considered too speculative geologically to have the
economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to
be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty the
preliminary economic assessment will be realized. See
“Qualified Person and NI 43-101” below.
“The Copper World Complex PEA represents the
next leg of copper growth at Hudbay, generating significant value
for all of our stakeholders with robust project economics and many
benefits for the community and local economy in Arizona,” said
Peter Kukielski, Hudbay’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We have been successfully executing an alternative Arizona
strategy since 2019 to deliver this attractive project, which is
significantly de-risked and has the potential to nearly double our
annual copper production while maintaining Hudbay’s first quartile
cash cost positioning. Phase I represents an attractive standalone
operation on our private land and Phase II provides significant
long-term growth potential in this prolific district. Through
applying our core competencies of exploration, mine planning and
project development, the Copper World Complex is expected to be the
next major copper operation in the United States, delivering the
copper needed to meet domestic electrification and decarbonization
supply chain needs.”
Successfully Executing an Alternative
Strategy
Hudbay has been evaluating alternative options
to unlock value from its Arizona mineral assets since the July 2019
ruling from the U.S. District Court to vacate the final record of
decision (“FROD”) issued by the U.S. Forest Service relating to its
Rosemont copper deposit. The FROD was based upon a standalone
development plan for the Rosemont deposit utilizing federal land as
set forth in Hudbay’s 2017 feasibility study and technical report
(the “2017 Feasibility Study”).
Discovering New Mineralization on Patented
Mining Claims
In the fall of 2019, the company began pursuing
a private land development plan, including exploring nearby
patented mining claims in the historic Helvetia mining district.
The company initiated a drill program in 2020 to confirm historical
drilling in this past-producing region, and the drill program was
further expanded throughout 2021 after continuing to receive
encouraging results. Four deposits were discovered in early 2021
with oxide and sulfide mineralization occurring at shallow depths
on Hudbay’s wholly-owned patented mining claims. By September 2021,
the exploration program had identified seven mineral deposits
(referred to at the time as the “Copper World deposits”) over a
seven-kilometre strike area, as shown in Figure 1. An initial
mineral resource estimate was declared at the Copper World deposits
in December 2021, which was larger and at a higher level of
geological confidence than expected.
Expanding Private Land Package
Hudbay has been acquiring additional private
land in the area to support an operation entirely on private land.
The company now holds approximately 4,500 acres of private land and
patented mining claims, which are enough to support the first 16
years of production at the Copper World Complex. Please refer to
Figure 2 for a map of the company’s private land package.
Unlocking District Potential
Following the recent exploration success on
patented mining claims and ongoing litigation uncertainty regarding
the project design set forth in the 2017 Feasibility Study, Hudbay
began to evaluate alternative design options to unlock value within
this prospective district. This included remodeling the 2017
mineral resources, incorporating the new mineral resources from
successful exploration results and completing new metallurgical
testing work, which led to a comprehensive review of the mine plan,
process plant design, tailings deposition strategies and permitting
requirements for the new project.
Advancing State-Level Permitting
In June 2021, Hudbay initiated the state-level
permitting process for the project with an application for its
Mined Land Reclamation Plan (“MLRP”), which was subsequently
approved by the Arizona State Mine Inspector in October 2021. The
MLRP approval included a requirement for reclamation cost bonding
prior to initiating work on the company’s private lands and
represented the first step in the permitting process for a private
land operation.
An aquifer protection permit and air quality
permit are the remaining key state-level permits required for a
private land operation, which, along with other minor permits, are
expected to be advanced in the second half of 2022. Hudbay
previously received aquifer protection and air quality permits for
the 2017 design of the Rosemont project and these permits have been
successfully upheld through litigation.
Hudbay does not believe any federal permits are
required for Phase I of the mine plan for the Copper World Complex
(see “Simplified Permitting Process” below).
2022 PEA Summary
The Copper World Complex PEA contemplates a
two-phased mine plan with the first phase reflecting a standalone
operation with processing infrastructure on Hudbay’s private land
and mining occurring on patented mining claims. Phase I is expected
to require only state and local permits and reflects a 16-year mine
life. Phase II extends the mine life to 44 years through an
expansion onto federal land to mine the entire deposits. Phase II
would be subject to the federal permitting process.
Phase I contemplates average annual copper
production of up to 100,000 tonnesi over a 16-year mine life,
including approximately 86,000 tonnesi of copper from mined
resources at average cash costs and sustaining cash costs of $1.15
and $1.44 per pound of copperii, respectively. At a copper price of
$3.50 per pound, the after-tax net present value of Phase I using a
10% discount rate is $741 million and the internal rate of return
is 17%. Phase II contemplates an expansion of the processing
facilities which would increase average annual copper production up
to approximately 125,000 tonnesi over the remaining mine life,
including approximately 101,000 tonnesi of copper from mined
resources at average cash costs and sustaining cash costs of $1.11
and $1.42 per pound of copperii, respectively. With the inclusion
of Phase II and assuming a copper price of $3.50 per pound, the
after-tax net present value of the total project using a 10%
discount rate increases to $1,296 million and the internal rate of
return is 18%. The valuation metrics are highly sensitive to the
copper price and at a price of $4.00 per pound, the after-tax net
present value of Phase I and LOM, using a 10% discount rate,
increases to $1,193 million and $1,903 million, respectively, and
the internal rate of return in Phase I and LOM increases to 21% and
22%, respectively.
A summary of key valuation, production and cost
details from the PEA can be found below. For further details,
including operating and cash flow metrics provided on an annual
basis, please refer to Exhibit 1 at the end of this news
release. For further details regarding the preliminary nature
of the PEA and its limitations, please refer to “Qualified Person
and NI 43-101” below.
Summary of Key Metrics (at $3.50/lb Cu) |
Unit |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Valuation Metrics
(Unlevered)1 |
|
|
|
|
Net present value @ 8% (after-tax) |
$ millions |
$1,097 |
$947 |
$2,044 |
Net present value @ 10% (after-tax) |
$ millions |
$741 |
$555 |
$1,296 |
Internal rate of return (after-tax) |
% |
17% |
49% |
18% |
Payback period |
# years |
5.3 |
1.7 |
- |
EBITDA (annual avg.)2 |
$ millions |
$438 |
$530 |
$497 |
Project Metrics |
|
|
|
|
Growth capital |
$ millions |
$1,917 |
$885 |
$2,802 |
Construction length |
# years |
3.0 |
2.0 |
- |
Operating Metrics |
|
|
|
|
Mine life |
# years |
16.0 |
28.0 |
44.0 |
Copper cathode production – mined resources3 |
000 tonnes |
86.4 |
101.3 |
95.9 |
Copper cathode production – total3 |
000 tonnes |
98.7 |
123.3 |
114.3 |
Copper recovery – mill to cathode |
% |
77.3 |
80.1 |
79.2 |
Copper recovery – leach to cathode |
% |
59.0 |
58.7 |
58.9 |
Sustaining capital (annual avg.) |
$ millions |
$33 |
$35 |
$34 |
Cash cost4 |
$/lb Cu |
$1.15 |
$1.11 |
$1.12 |
Sustaining cash cost4 |
$/lb Cu |
$1.44 |
$1.42 |
$1.43 |
Note: “LOM” refers to life-of-mine total or
average.1 Calculated assuming the following commodity prices:
copper price of $3.50 per pound, copper cathode premium of $0.01
per pound (net of cathode transport charges), silver stream price
of $3.90 per ounce and molybdenum price of $11.00 per pound.
Reflects the terms of the existing Wheaton Precious Metals stream,
including an upfront deposit of $230 million in the first year of
Phase I construction in exchange for the delivery of 100% of silver
produced.2 EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with
no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information,
please refer to the company's most recent Management's Discussion
and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022.3 The mine
plan assumes external concentrate is sourced in years when spare
capacity exists at the SX/EW facility in order to maximize the full
utilization of the facility. Copper cathode production from mined
resources excludes the production from external concentrate.
Average annual copper cathode production from external concentrates
is approximately 12,000 tonnes in Phase I and 22,000 tonnes in
Phase II. There remains the potential to replace external copper
concentrate with additional internal feed. 4 Cash cost and
sustaining cash cost, net of by-product credits, per pound of
copper produced from internally sourced feed and excludes the cost
of purchasing external copper concentrate, which may vary in price
or potentially be replaced with additional internal feed.
By-product credits calculated using the following commodity prices:
molybdenum price of $11.00 per pound, silver stream price of $3.90
per ounce and amortization of deferred revenue as per the company’s
approach in its quarterly financial reporting. By-product credits
also include the revenue from the sale of excess acid produced at a
price of $145 per tonne. Sustaining cash cost includes sustaining
capital expenditures and royalties. Cash cost and sustaining cash
cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no
standardized definition under IFRS. For further details on why
Hudbay believes cash costs are a useful performance indicator,
please refer to the company's most recent Management's Discussion
and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Cu Price Sensitivity |
Unit |
$3.25/lb |
$3.50/lb |
$3.75/lb |
$4.00/lb |
$4.25/lb |
Phase I Valuation Metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net present value1 @ 8% |
$ millions |
$827 |
$1,097 |
$1,366 |
$1,633 |
$1,903 |
Net present value1 @ 10% |
$ millions |
$513 |
$741 |
$968 |
$1,193 |
$1,420 |
Internal rate of return1 |
% |
15% |
17% |
19% |
21% |
23% |
Payback period |
# years |
6.0 |
5.3 |
4.7 |
4.3 |
3.9 |
EBITDA (annual avg.)2 |
$ millions |
$392 |
$438 |
$484 |
$530 |
$576 |
LOM Valuation Metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net present value1 @ 8% |
$ millions |
$1,647 |
$2,044 |
$2,439 |
$2,833 |
$3,228 |
Net present value1 @ 10% |
$ millions |
$990 |
$1,296 |
$1,600 |
$1,903 |
$2,206 |
Internal rate of return1 |
% |
16% |
18% |
20% |
22% |
23% |
EBITDA (annual avg.) 2 |
$ millions |
$446 |
$497 |
$547 |
$598 |
$649 |
1 Net present value and internal rate of return
are shown on an after-tax basis.2 EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial
performance measure with no standardized definition under IFRS. For
further information, please refer to the company's most recent
Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended
March 31, 2022.
Overview of Proposed
Operation
The Copper World Complex is planned to be a
traditional open pit shovel and truck operation with a copper
sulfide mineral processing plant and an oxide leach processing
facility producing copper cathode, molybdenum concentrate and
silver doré.
The overall mining operation is expected to
consist of four open pits in Phase I with two of the pits expanding
onto federal land in Phase II, as shown in Figure 3. Phase I
contemplates exploitation of the pits and use of associated
infrastructure within a footprint that requires only state and
local permits for its 16 years of operation, plus one year of
pre-stripping. During this period, all waste and tailings will be
disposed on, and leach pads will be located on, Hudbay’s private
land. In Phase II, it is assumed that all necessary federal permits
will be obtained in order to mine and deposit tailings and waste on
unpatented mining claims.
A majority of the newly discovered deposits are
intended to be mined in Phase I and these deposits have a lower
strip ratio and would contribute approximately 50% of the resources
mined, as shown in Figure 4. In the first five years, including the
year of pre-stripping, 90% of the mineral resources are intended to
be extracted from the Peach-Elgin, Copper World (now referred to as
“West”) and Broadtop Butte pits. The Rosemont (now referred to as
“East”) pit would become a major contributor in year five and the
primary source of feed in Phase II.
The processing facilities and saleable mineral
products are fundamentally different from what was contemplated in
the 2017 Feasibility Study. The processing facilities for the
Copper World Complex include an oxide leach and solvent extraction
and electro-winning (“SX/EW”) facility, a sulfide concentrator, a
concentrate leach facility and an acid plant. The capacity of the
sulfide concentrator during Phase I is 60,000 tons per day while
the tonnage of the run-of-mine leached material is 20,000 tons per
day. In year 17, the sulfide throughput will increase to 90,000
tons per day for the duration of Phase II. The pregnant leach
solution from the concentrate leach facility will be combined with
the solution from the oxide leaching circuit and treated in the
SX/EW facility to produce copper cathode. The concentrate leach
facility will also produce sulfur which will be processed into
sulfuric acid at the acid plant and then used on the oxide leach
pads. When the sulfur production from the concentrate leach process
is insufficient to support the sulfuric acid requirements of the
project, sulfur will be purchased at local market price;
conversely, when sulfuric acid production exceeds the operation’s
leaching requirements, it will be sold.
The capacity of the contemplated processing
facilities allows for the opportunity to process third party feed
in certain years when the copper from resources mined may be lower
due to grade variability. The PEA assumes third-party concentrate
will be sourced in certain years to maximize the utilization of the
SX/EW facility, which will have annual production capacity for
100,000 tonnes of copper cathode during Phase I and 125,000 tonnes
of copper cathode during Phase II.
The PEA contemplates the construction of three
tailings storage facilities for Phase I and an additional larger
tailings facility for Phase II. Conventional tailings deposition is
planned for Phase I. Dry stack tailings deposition is intended to
occur in Phase II, as per the original design set forth in the 2017
Feasibility Study.
Total project capital costs are estimated to be
$1.9 billion for Phase I, including all costs associated with the
construction of the onsite facilities as managed by the EPCM
contractor, such as the sulfide concentrator, the concentrate leach
facility, the oxide leach and SX/EW plant. Phase I project capital
costs include $572 million of owner’s costs associated with mining
equipment, pre-stripping activities as well as all operating costs
capitalized prior to the start of production. Phase II project
capital costs of $885 million include costs associated with the
expansion of the crushing facility and flotation plant to
accommodate the higher sulfide throughput, as well as $264 million
of owner’s costs related to the construction of a new tailings
facility. Contingency costs have been applied to direct capital
costs at 20% for Phase I due to many components being at an
advanced level of engineering, and at 40% for Phase II due to the
long lead time of 15 years before the start of construction,
reflecting a higher uncertainty on these cost estimates. For
further details on the capital cost estimates, please refer to
Exhibit 1.
Reducing GHG Emissions, Supporting
Domestic Copper Supply and Generating Significant Local
Benefits
Global copper market fundamentals are expected
to be strong with a structural deficit emerging in the medium term.
Global mine production, and available smelter capacity, are
expected to struggle to keep pace with metal demand boosted by the
green energy revolution. The U.S. is expected to remain a net
copper importer during this period and domestic supply will be
required to help secure growing U.S. metal demand related to
increased manufacturing capacity, infrastructure development,
bolstering the country’s energy independence and domestic EV
battery supply chain and production needs.
The “Made in America” copper cathode produced at
the Copper World Complex is expected to be sold entirely to
domestic U.S. customers, thereby reducing the operation’s total
energy requirements, greenhouse gas (“GHG”) and sulfur (SO2)
emissions by eliminating overseas shipping, smelting and refining
activities relating to copper concentrate (please refer to Figure
5). The company estimates that the project will reduce total energy
consumption by more than 10%, including a more than 30% decline in
energy consumption relating to downstream processing when compared
to a project design that produces copper concentrates for overseas
smelting and refining. The lower energy consumption would result in
an approximate 10% to 15% reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse
gas (“GHG") emissions. In addition, the copper cathode production
from oxides will also result in lower GHG emissions. Hudbay is
targeting further reductions in the project’s GHG emissions as part
of the company’s specific emissions reduction targets to align with
the global 50% by 2030 climate change goal. Hudbay has integrated
GHG reduction initiatives as part of its project design for the
Copper World Complex and the company expects to further reduce GHG
emissions through advancing many green opportunities which are
discussed in the section titled “Project Optimization and Upside
Opportunities” below.
The Copper World Complex is expected to generate
significant benefits for the community and local economy in
Arizona. Over the anticipated 44-year life of the operation, the
company expects to contribute more than $3.3 billion in U.S. taxes,
including approximately $660 million in taxes to the state of
Arizona and $590 million in property taxes that directly benefit
local communities. Hudbay also expects the Copper World Complex to
create more than 500 direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs in
Arizona.
Simplified Permitting
Process
The permitting process for the Copper World
Complex is expected to require state and local permits for Phase I
and federal permits for Phase II. On May 23, 2022, the U.S.
District Court for the District of Arizona issued a favourable
ruling effectively stating that there is no obligation for the Army
Corps of Engineers (“ACOE”) to include Phase I of the project as
part of the NEPA federal review of the standalone Rosemont project
design. Furthermore, on May 12, 2022, a decision from the 9th
Circuit Court of Appeals clarified the permitting path for Phase
II, and the company expects it will be able to pursue and obtain
federal permits within the constraints imposed by the Court’s
decision.
In April, two groups of project opponents
provided separate notices of their intent to bring citizen suits
against Copper World under the Clean Water Act. In each case,
project opponents have alleged that the site contains
jurisdictional waters of the U.S. and that a Section 404 Clean
Water Act permit is needed to advance the project. The ACOE has
never determined that there are jurisdictional waters of the U.S.
at the Copper World Complex and Hudbay has independently concluded
through its own scientific analysis that there are no such waters
in the area.
Mineral Resource Estimate
The PEA and mine plan are based on a new
resource model for the Copper World Complex, which incorporates a
revised resource model for the East deposit (formerly known as
Rosemont) with the addition of the Copper World deposits discovered
in 2021. The resource model was constructed using the same methods
Hudbay applied at Constancia and Mason. Based on this new model,
including resource classification criteria calibrated on historical
performance at Constancia and the control of grade over-smoothing
in the previous 2017 resource model, contained copper in measured
and indicated resources increased by 17% and contained copper in
inferred resources increased by 328%, as compared to the mineral
resources included in the 2017 Feasibility Study.
The current mineral resource estimates for the
Copper World Complex (effective as of May 1, 2022) are
summarized below and replace the prior estimates of mineral
reserves and resources at the Rosemont and Copper World deposits
set forth in the 2017 Feasibility Study and the December 2021
mineral resource statement, respectively.
Copper World ComplexMineral Resource
Estimates1,2,3 |
Tonnes(millions) |
Cu Grade (%) |
Soluble Cu Grade (%) |
Mo Grade (g/t) |
Ag Grade (g/t) |
Flotation |
Measured |
687 |
0.45 |
0.05 |
138 |
5.1 |
Indicated |
287 |
0.36 |
0.06 |
134 |
3.6 |
Total Measured and Indicated |
973 |
0.42 |
0.05 |
137 |
4.6 |
Inferred |
210 |
0.36 |
0.05 |
119 |
3.9 |
Leach |
Measured |
105 |
0.37 |
0.26 |
- |
- |
Indicated |
94 |
0.35 |
0.26 |
- |
- |
Total Measured and Indicated |
200 |
0.36 |
0.26 |
- |
- |
Inferred |
52 |
0.40 |
0.29 |
- |
- |
Note: totals may not add up correctly due to rounding.1 Mineral
resource estimates that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not
include factors for mining recovery or dilution.2 Mineral resource
estimates constrained to a Lerch Grossman pit shell with a revenue
factor of 1.0 using a copper price of $3.45 per pound.3 Using a
0.1% copper cut-off grade and an oxidation ratio lower than 50% for
flotation material, and a 0.1% soluble copper cut-off grade and an
oxidation ratio higher than 50% for leach material.
Copper World Complex Comparison of Mineral Resource
Estimates1,2 |
|
2017 |
2022 |
% Change |
|
Tonnes (millions) |
Cu(%) |
Cu (000 tonnes) |
Tonnes (millions) |
Cu(%) |
Cu (000 tonnes) |
Tonnes (millions) |
Cu (%) |
Cu (000 tonnes) |
Measured and Indicated |
1,147 |
0.36 |
4,129 |
1,173 |
0.41 |
4,829 |
2% |
14% |
17% |
Inferred |
75 |
0.30 |
224 |
262 |
0.37 |
957 |
252% |
22% |
328% |
Note: totals may not add up correctly due to rounding.1 2017
mineral resource estimates are inclusive of mineral reserve
estimates.2 2022 mineral resource estimates include both flotation
and leach material.
Project Optimization and Upside
Opportunities
Recent technical and exploration work has
identified many opportunities that may further enhance project
economics, reduce environmental impacts, increase annual production
and extend mine life.
- Expanding Private Land Phase I -
Hudbay may acquire additional private land to increase the tailings
and waste capacity and extend the Phase I mine life beyond 16
years.
- Earlier Receipt of Federal Permits
for Phase II - Hudbay is optimistic that the company will be able
to secure federal permits sooner than the conservative timelines
assumed in the PEA, which will allow the mining of more tonnage at
a higher grade earlier in the mine life.
- Green Opportunities – There are
several emission reduction opportunities the company will evaluate
with future feasibility studies, including the potential to source
renewable energy from local providers at a nominal cost, the use of
autonomous or electric haul trucks at the operation and various
post-reclamation land uses such as domestic renewable energy
production. Also, if Hudbay is able to secure additional private
land to improve the tailings configuration, there is the potential
to accelerate dry stack tailings deposition into Phase I, which
would reduce water consumption.
- Additional Exploration Upside
Potential – Continued exploration activities may result in further
extension of economic mineralization, including bridging the gap to
the north and south of the Bolsa deposit. In addition, 2021
geophysical surveys identified several new targets north and south
of the West deposit (formerly known as the Copper World deposit). A
large portion of Hudbay’s property in this prolific region has yet
to be explored and provides the potential for further
discoveries.
Next Steps – Advancing to
Pre-feasibility Study
Hudbay continues early site works at the
project, which commenced in April 2022 with initial grading and
clearing activities. The company also continues to have seven drill
rigs turning at site conducting infill drilling in support of
additional feasibility studies.
Hudbay expects to advance a pre-feasibility
study for Phase I of the Copper World Complex in the second half of
2022, which will focus on converting the remaining inferred mineral
resources to measured and indicated and evaluating many of the
project optimization and upside opportunities. The company has
increased its 2022 spending guidance for Arizona by $30 million,
which includes an additional $15 million in capitalized
exploration, $10 million in evaluation expenses and $5 million in
growth capital expenditures.
During 2023, the company expects to complete a
definitive feasibility study on Phase I of the Copper World Complex
and receive all required state and local permits for Phase I.
Hudbay expects to generate significant free cash flow over the next
several years following the recent completion of its brownfield
investment projects in Peru and Manitoba. In addition, Hudbay
expects to evaluate a variety of financing options, including a
potential minority joint venture partner, as part of a prudent
financing strategy prior to a project sanction decision, which
could be made as early as 2024.
Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures
Cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of
copper produced are shown because the company believes they help
investors and management assess the performance of its operations,
including the margin generated by the operations and the company.
Unit operating costs are shown because these measures are used by
the company as a key performance indicator to assess the
performance of its mining and processing operations. EBITDA is
shown to provide additional information about the cash generating
potential in order to assess the company’s capacity to service and
repay debt, carry out investments and cover working capital needs.
These measures do not have a meaning prescribed by IFRS and are
therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented
by other issuers. These measures should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance
with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or
cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies
may calculate these measures differently. For further details on
these measures, please refer to page 39 of Hudbay’s management’s
discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Qualified Person and NI
43-101
The scientific and technical information
contained in this news release has been approved by Olivier
Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Hudbay’s Vice-President, Exploration and
Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is a qualified person pursuant
to Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
This PEA is preliminary in nature, includes
inferred resources that are considered too speculative geologically
to have the economic considerations applied to them that would
enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no
certainty the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. As
a result of this PEA, the 2017 Feasibility Study in respect of the
standalone Rosemont project, including the estimates of mineral
reserves and mineral resources contained therein, is no longer
current and should not be relied upon by investors.
With the completion of the PEA, the company has
determined that the Copper World Complex is a material mineral
project for purposes of NI 43-101 and expects to file a NI 43-101
technical report to support the disclosure in this news release in
the next 45 days. The new technical report will be the current
technical report in respect of all the mineral properties that form
part of the Copper World Complex and shall supersede and replace
the 2017 Feasibility Study.
Cautionary Note to United States
Investors
This news release has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect
in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States
securities laws. Canadian reporting requirements for disclosure of
mineral properties are governed NI 43-101.
For this reason, information contained in this
news release in respect of the Copper World Complex may not be
comparable to similar information made public by United States
companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements
under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and
regulations thereunder. For further information on the differences
between the disclosure requirements for mineral properties under
the United States federal securities laws and NI 43-101, please
refer to the company’s AIF, a copy of which has been filed under
Hudbay’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the company’s Form
40-F, a copy of which has been filed on EDGAR at www.edgar.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United
States securities legislation. All information contained in this
news release, other than statements of current and historical fact,
is forward-looking information. Often, but not always,
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words
such as “plans”, “expects”, “budget”, “guidance”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “strategy”, “target”, “intends”,
“objective”, “goal”, “understands”, “anticipates” and “believes”
(and variations of these or similar words) and statements that
certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”,
“should”, “might” “occur” or “be achieved” or “will be taken” (and
variations of these or similar expressions). All of the
forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by
this cautionary note.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not
limited to, the results of the PEA, including the production,
operating cost, capital cost and cash cost estimates, the projected
valuation metrics and rates of return, the cash flow and EBITDA
projections, as well as the anticipated permitting requirements and
project design, including processing and tailings facilities, metal
recoveries, mine life and production rates for the project, the
potential to further enhance the economics of the project and
optimize the design, the possibility of extending the life of the
first production phase, the implications of the recent court
decisions in respect of the standalone Rosemont project design, the
potential to obtain federal permits for the second phase earlier
than planned and the costs and plans for future pre-feasibility and
feasibility studies on the Copper World Complex as well as
potential timelines for obtaining the required permits and
financing and sanctioning the first phase of the project.
Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of
future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on,
among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses
that, while considered reasonable by us at the date the
forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to
significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors
that may cause actual results and events to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information.
The material factors or assumptions that Hudbay
identified and were applied by the company in drawing conclusions
or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking
information include, but are not limited to:
- obtaining all required permits to
develop the Copper World Complex;
- no delays or disruption due to
litigation challenging the permitting requirements for the Copper
World Complex and no significant unanticipated litigation;
- the success of exploration and
development activities at the Copper World Complex;
- the accuracy of geological, mining
and metallurgical estimates;
- anticipated metals prices and the
costs of production;
- the supply and demand for metals
Hudbay produces;
- the supply and availability of all
forms of energy and fuels at reasonable prices;
- no significant unanticipated
operational or technical difficulties;
- the availability of additional
financing, if needed;
- the availability of personnel for
the company’s exploration, development and operational projects and
ongoing employee relations;
- maintaining good relations with the
communities in which the company operates, including the
neighbouring communities and local governments in Arizona;
- no significant unanticipated
challenges with stakeholders at the Copper World Complex;
- no significant unanticipated events
or changes relating to regulatory, environmental, health and safety
matters;
- no contests over title to Hudbay’s
properties, including as a result of rights or claimed rights of
Indigenous peoples or challenges to the validity of its unpatented
mining claims;
- an upfront stream deposit of $230
million will be paid by Wheaton Precious Metals at the commencement
of construction;
- no offtake commitments in respect
of production from the Copper World Complex;
- certain tax matters, including, but
not limited to the mining tax regime in Arizona; and
- no significant and continuing
adverse changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the
financial markets (including commodity prices and foreign exchange
rates).
The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and
other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information
may include, but are not limited to, risks associated with COVID-19
and its effect on the company’s operations, financial condition,
projects and prospects, risks generally associated with the mining
industry, such as economic factors (including future commodity
prices, currency fluctuations, energy and consumable prices, supply
chain constraints and general cost escalation in the current
inflationary environment), risks related to ongoing and potential
litigation processes and other legal challenges that could affect
the permitting timeline for the Copper World Complex, risks related
to changes in government and government policy, risks related to
changes in law, risks in respect of community relations, risks
related to contracts that were entered into in respect of the
Rosemont mine project, uncertainties related to the geology,
continuity, grade and estimates of mineral reserves and resources,
and the potential for variations in grade and recovery rates, as
well as the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the
company’s AIF.
Should one or more risk, uncertainty,
contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or
assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. The company does not assume any obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this
news release or to explain any material difference between
subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information,
except as required by applicable law.
About Hudbay
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a diversified mining
company primarily producing copper concentrate (containing copper,
gold and silver), zinc metal and silver/gold doré. Directly and
through its subsidiaries, Hudbay owns three polymetallic mines,
four ore concentrators and a zinc production facility in northern
Manitoba and Saskatchewan (Canada) and Cusco (Peru), and copper
projects in Arizona and Nevada (United States). The company’s
growth strategy is focused on the exploration, development,
operation and optimization of properties it already controls, as
well as other mineral assets it may acquire that fit its strategic
criteria. Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value through
the acquisition, development and operation of high-quality,
long-life deposits with exploration potential in jurisdictions that
support responsible mining, and to see the regions and communities
in which the company operates benefit from its presence. The
company is governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act and its
shares are listed under the symbol "HBM" on the Toronto Stock
Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and Bolsa de Valores de Lima.
Further information about Hudbay can be found on
www.hudbay.com.
For investor and media inquiries, please
contact:
Candace BrûléVice President, Investor
Relations (416) 814-4387 candace.brule@hudbay.com
Exhibit 1: Detailed Cash Flow Model and
Key AssumptionsA detailed cash flow model containing
annual production and cost information is shown below. Overall
assumptions for commodity prices, marketing parameters, operating
costs and capital costs are also provided.
Phase I: Physicals |
Unit |
Phase I |
Y-03 |
Y-02 |
Y-01 |
Y01 |
Y02 |
Y03 |
Y04 |
Y05 |
Y06 |
Y07 |
Y08 |
Y09 |
Y10 |
Y11 |
Y12 |
Y13 |
Y14 |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Resources
Mined |
|
|
|
Pre-strip |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
Mt |
216.2 |
|
|
21.4 |
24.2 |
26.5 |
25.7 |
20.8 |
17.6 |
3.3 |
9.3 |
11.1 |
7.9 |
9.5 |
6.8 |
8.0 |
4.3 |
8.4 |
11.4 |
0.0 |
East deposit |
Mt |
224.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.0 |
10.7 |
7.1 |
21.8 |
17.2 |
12.6 |
18.6 |
21.5 |
19.7 |
18.5 |
22.2 |
17.7 |
13.5 |
22.7 |
Total resources mined |
Mt |
441.1 |
|
|
21.4 |
24.2 |
26.5 |
26.7 |
31.6 |
24.8 |
25.1 |
26.5 |
23.7 |
26.5 |
31.0 |
26.5 |
26.5 |
26.5 |
26.1 |
24.9 |
22.7 |
Waste
Mined |
|
|
|
Pre-strip |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
Mt |
117.8 |
|
|
9.6 |
9.0 |
11.0 |
15.2 |
18.5 |
6.3 |
0.8 |
8.9 |
3.6 |
12.5 |
7.8 |
2.3 |
0.6 |
4.2 |
4.9 |
2.5 |
|
East deposit |
Mt |
430.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.3 |
13.4 |
32.5 |
38.0 |
30.8 |
38.9 |
27.2 |
27.4 |
37.4 |
39.1 |
35.6 |
35.3 |
38.1 |
26.3 |
Total waste mined |
Mt |
548.1 |
|
|
9.6 |
9.0 |
11.0 |
25.6 |
31.9 |
38.7 |
38.8 |
39.7 |
42.5 |
39.7 |
35.2 |
39.7 |
39.7 |
39.7 |
40.1 |
40.7 |
26.3 |
Material
Moved |
|
|
|
Pre-strip |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rehandle |
Mt |
13.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 |
1.7 |
1.4 |
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
1.5 |
3.8 |
Total material moved |
Mt |
1,003.0 |
|
|
31.0 |
33.2 |
37.5 |
52.2 |
65.7 |
65.2 |
65.3 |
66.2 |
69.0 |
66.2 |
66.2 |
66.2 |
66.2 |
66.2 |
66.6 |
67.2 |
52.8 |
Strip
Ratio |
|
|
|
Pre-strip |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
X:X |
0.54 |
|
|
0.45 |
0.37 |
0.41 |
0.59 |
0.89 |
0.35 |
0.23 |
0.97 |
0.33 |
1.60 |
0.82 |
0.34 |
0.08 |
0.97 |
0.58 |
0.22 |
|
East deposit |
X:X |
1.91 |
|
|
|
- |
- |
10.77 |
1.25 |
4.55 |
1.75 |
1.79 |
3.09 |
1.46 |
1.27 |
1.90 |
2.11 |
1.60 |
1.99 |
2.82 |
1.16 |
Total strip ratio |
X:X |
1.24 |
|
|
0.45 |
0.37 |
0.41 |
0.96 |
1.01 |
1.56 |
1.54 |
1.50 |
1.80 |
1.50 |
1.13 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.54 |
1.63 |
1.16 |
Mill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
Mt |
315.6 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19,9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
19.9 |
Headgrade - Cu |
% |
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.56 |
0.48 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.49 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
0.51 |
Headgrade – Ag |
g/tonne |
5.13 |
|
|
|
3.82 |
3.84 |
4.08 |
3.10 |
4.26 |
7.02 |
7.36 |
5.94 |
4.44 |
4.52 |
6.39 |
7.27 |
4.30 |
6.00 |
4.42 |
5.17 |
Headgrade – Mo |
% |
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
Leach |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes leached |
Mt |
106.0 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
Headgrade – CuSS |
% |
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
0.24 |
0.20 |
0.26 |
0.36 |
0.19 |
0.32 |
0.32 |
0.30 |
0.33 |
0.24 |
0.35 |
0.38 |
0.39 |
0.35 |
0.23 |
Headgrade - Cu |
% |
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
0.31 |
0.27 |
0.36 |
0.47 |
0.25 |
0.40 |
0.42 |
0.39 |
0.44 |
0.32 |
0.46 |
0.50 |
0.52 |
0.48 |
0.31 |
Purchased Cu
Conc |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cu concentrate |
Kt |
807.6 |
|
|
|
119.8 |
101.1 |
- |
94.2 |
61.9 |
86.6 |
- |
21.9 |
47.5 |
49.0 |
67.0 |
16.9 |
39.0 |
32.5 |
55.8 |
14.4 |
Grade – Cu |
% |
25.0 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
Grade – Au |
g/tonne |
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
Grade – Ag |
g/tonne |
15.0 |
|
|
|
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
Recovery to Cu
Cathode |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Mill |
% |
77.3 |
|
|
|
71.2 |
70.5 |
72.9 |
70.9 |
74.2 |
77.4 |
80.3 |
79.9 |
80.6 |
79.2 |
79.4 |
79.9 |
79.2 |
80.4 |
76.1 |
82.0 |
From Leach |
% |
59.0 |
|
|
|
55.9 |
59.9 |
59.5 |
56.8 |
59.7 |
58.5 |
62.2 |
60.6 |
60.2 |
59.0 |
58.8 |
59.8 |
59.0 |
58.3 |
57.6 |
58.5 |
From Purchased |
% |
97.7 |
|
|
|
96.2 |
97.9 |
|
97.4 |
97.9 |
98.0 |
|
98.2 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
98.0 |
Cu Cathode
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Mill |
Kt |
1,137.9 |
|
|
|
58.7 |
63.0 |
65.2 |
63.4 |
66.3 |
69.2 |
89.9 |
76.0 |
72.8 |
70.8 |
71.0 |
77.1 |
70.8 |
71.9 |
68.0 |
83.9 |
From Leach |
Kt |
243.7 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
12.2 |
10.5 |
13.7 |
18.5 |
9.6 |
16.5 |
16.7 |
15.5 |
17.2 |
12.6 |
18.0 |
19.6 |
20.2 |
18.3 |
12.1 |
From Purchased |
Kt |
197.2 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
24.7 |
|
22.9 |
15.1 |
21.2 |
|
5.4 |
11.6 |
12.0 |
16.4 |
4.1 |
9.6 |
8.0 |
13.7 |
3.5 |
Total Cu cathode |
Kt |
1,578.8 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
100.0 |
75.8 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
106.4 |
98.0 |
99.9 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
99.3 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
99.5 |
Mo Conc
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mo Concentrate |
Kt |
34.3 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
1.9 |
2.2 |
1.4 |
1.4 |
1.8 |
3.1 |
2.2 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.3 |
2.5 |
2.3 |
2.1 |
2.6 |
Grade - Mo |
% |
51.13 |
|
|
|
54.33 |
50.39 |
43.17 |
48.04 |
45.92 |
51.67 |
53.88 |
51.87 |
50.71 |
50.47 |
51.24 |
51.98 |
52.39 |
52.34 |
51.61 |
52.96 |
Mo in concentrate |
Kt |
17.6 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
0.7 |
0.6 |
0.9 |
1.6 |
1.2 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
1.2 |
1.1 |
1.4 |
Doré
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag in Doré - internal
feed |
000 oz |
26,808 |
|
|
|
1,102 |
1,155 |
1,214 |
928 |
1,290 |
2,357 |
2,478 |
1,989 |
1,485 |
1,503 |
2,157 |
2,454 |
1,449 |
2,026 |
1,472 |
1,749 |
Ag in Doré - purchased
conc |
000 oz |
349 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
24.7 |
|
22.9 |
15.1 |
21.2 |
|
5.4 |
11.6 |
12.0 |
16.4 |
4.1 |
9.6 |
8.0 |
13.7 |
3.5 |
Au in Doré - purchased
conc |
000 oz |
12 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
1.5 |
|
1.4 |
0.9 |
1.3 |
|
0.3 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
1.0 |
0.2 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
Acid
Plant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased sulfur |
Kt |
1,097.1 |
|
|
|
76.4 |
55.7 |
0.0 |
37.2 |
62.4 |
86.7 |
90.7 |
79.9 |
73.0 |
66.0 |
74.0 |
81.2 |
69.6 |
81.1 |
75.1 |
88.0 |
Excess acid produced |
Kt |
1,570.9 |
|
|
|
118.4 |
59.4 |
77.2 |
115.2 |
60.4 |
152.3 |
25.8 |
52.1 |
118.8 |
97.5 |
161.5 |
111.1 |
85.6 |
83.1 |
111.2 |
141.2 |
Total
Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cu Eq Produced |
Kt |
1,739.9 |
|
|
|
109.6 |
107.5 |
83.7 |
107.0 |
106.7 |
112.5 |
119.1 |
108.3 |
109.5 |
109.4 |
112.4 |
112.2 |
109.9 |
111.1 |
109.7 |
111.4 |
Phase I: Unit Costs |
Unit |
Phase I |
Y-03 |
Y-02 |
Y-01 |
Y01 |
Y02 |
Y03 |
Y04 |
Y05 |
Y06 |
Y07 |
Y08 |
Y09 |
Y10 |
Y11 |
Y12 |
Y13 |
Y14 |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Mining
($/t material moved excl. Pre-strip) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining |
$/tonne |
1.42 |
|
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
1.53 |
|
1.38 |
|
1.18 |
|
1.36 |
|
1.43 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.38 |
|
1.44 |
|
1.44 |
|
1.44 |
|
1.44 |
|
1.44 |
|
1.43 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.62 |
|
Deferred stripping |
$/tonne |
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
(0.11 |
) |
(0.29 |
) |
(0.15 |
) |
(0.42 |
) |
- |
|
(0.07 |
) |
(0.26 |
) |
(0.08 |
) |
(0.09 |
) |
(0.01 |
) |
(0.02 |
) |
(0.05 |
) |
(0.01 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
|
Mining ex def stripping |
$/tonne |
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
1.46 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.09 |
|
1.03 |
|
0.93 |
|
1.43 |
|
1.35 |
|
1.12 |
|
1.36 |
|
1.35 |
|
1.43 |
|
1.41 |
|
1.38 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.20 |
|
1.62 |
|
Processing
($/t processed (tonnes milled + tonnes leached)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sulfide flotation |
$/tonne |
3.56 |
|
|
|
|
3.37 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.61 |
|
3.58 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.56 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.58 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.58 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.57 |
|
3.58 |
|
Molybdenum flotation |
$/tonne |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.08 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.07 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.09 |
|
Leach Plant |
$/tonne |
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
0.45 |
|
0.67 |
|
0.42 |
|
0.43 |
|
0.38 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.41 |
|
0.43 |
|
0.41 |
|
0.40 |
|
0.42 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.40 |
|
0.38 |
|
Acid Plant |
$/tonne |
0.70 |
|
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
0.59 |
|
0.14 |
|
0.44 |
|
0.65 |
|
0.84 |
|
0.88 |
|
0.79 |
|
0.73 |
|
0.68 |
|
0.74 |
|
0.80 |
|
0.71 |
|
0.80 |
|
0.75 |
|
0.85 |
|
Acid Plant (electricity
credit) |
$/tonne |
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
Leach pad |
$/tonne |
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
Doré plant |
$/tonne |
0.13 |
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.10 |
|
0.08 |
|
0.10 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.12 |
|
0.12 |
|
0.16 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.11 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.11 |
|
0.13 |
|
SX/EW |
$/tonne |
0.86 |
|
|
|
|
0.94 |
|
0.87 |
|
0.70 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.91 |
|
0.85 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
Total |
$/tonne |
5.57 |
|
|
|
|
5.52 |
|
5.46 |
|
5.20 |
|
5.27 |
|
5.50 |
|
5.70 |
|
5.81 |
|
5.64 |
|
5.58 |
|
5.55 |
|
5.63 |
|
5.70 |
|
5.56 |
|
5.65 |
|
5.58 |
|
5.69 |
|
Other Unit
Costs ($/t processed (tonnes milled + tonnes
leached)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onsite G&A |
$/tonne |
0.89 |
|
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
0.89 |
|
Sustaining
cash cost ($/lb Cu) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost1 |
$/lb |
1.15 |
|
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
1.27 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.34 |
|
1.03 |
|
1.11 |
|
1.18 |
|
1.18 |
|
1.19 |
|
1.06 |
|
1.09 |
|
1.09 |
|
1.07 |
|
0.97 |
|
Sustaining cash cost1 |
$/lb |
1.44 |
|
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
1.63 |
|
1.72 |
|
1.63 |
|
1.88 |
|
1.70 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.41 |
|
1.40 |
|
1.40 |
|
1.37 |
|
1.24 |
|
1.28 |
|
1.26 |
|
1.37 |
|
1.25 |
|
Total cash cost2 |
$/lb |
1.41 |
|
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
1.75 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.73 |
|
1.52 |
|
1.72 |
|
1.03 |
|
1.23 |
|
1.41 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.51 |
|
1.15 |
|
1.29 |
|
1.26 |
|
1.36 |
|
1.05 |
|
Total sustaining cash
cost2 |
$/lb |
1.66 |
|
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
2.03 |
|
1.72 |
|
1.99 |
|
2.09 |
|
2.01 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.51 |
|
1.61 |
|
1.61 |
|
1.66 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.47 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.62 |
|
1.32 |
|
1 Internal feed
only; 2 Includes purchased concentrate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phase I: Cash Flows |
Unit |
Phase I |
Y-03 |
Y-02 |
Y-01 |
Y01 |
Y02 |
Y03 |
Y04 |
Y05 |
Y06 |
Y07 |
Y08 |
Y09 |
Y10 |
Y11 |
Y12 |
Y13 |
Y14 |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Cash
Flows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross rev – internal |
$M |
11,475 |
|
|
|
606 |
620 |
626 |
635 |
686 |
666 |
877 |
761 |
732 |
728 |
706 |
794 |
751 |
763 |
718 |
806 |
Gross rev – purchased |
$M |
1,552 |
|
|
|
227 |
195 |
- |
180 |
119 |
167 |
- |
42 |
92 |
94 |
129 |
33 |
75 |
63 |
108 |
28 |
TC/RC |
$M |
(75) |
|
|
|
(6) |
(5) |
(5) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
(7) |
(5) |
(4) |
(5) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(5) |
(5) |
(6) |
Freight |
$M |
(43) |
|
|
|
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(4) |
(4) |
(3) |
(2) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(2) |
(3) |
(2) |
(3) |
Royalty |
$M |
(253) |
|
|
|
(14) |
(14) |
(12) |
(14) |
(14) |
(16) |
(21) |
(17) |
(16) |
(16) |
(16) |
(18) |
(16) |
(16) |
(15) |
(19) |
Opex - Mining |
$M |
(1,266) |
|
|
|
(48) |
(53) |
(57) |
(68) |
(61) |
(93) |
(90) |
(77) |
(90) |
(89) |
(95) |
(94) |
(92) |
(95) |
(81) |
(86) |
Opex - Processing |
$M |
(2,346) |
|
|
|
(133) |
(145) |
(138) |
(140) |
(146) |
(151) |
(154) |
(150) |
(148) |
(147) |
(149) |
(151) |
(147) |
(150) |
(148) |
(151) |
Opex - Purch Cu Conc |
$M |
(1,332) |
|
|
|
(198) |
(167) |
- |
(155) |
(102) |
(143) |
- |
(36) |
(78) |
(81) |
(111) |
(28) |
(64) |
(54) |
(92) |
(24) |
Opex - Onsite G&A |
$M |
(376) |
|
|
|
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
(24) |
Opex - Property tax |
$M |
(296) |
|
|
|
(35) |
(33) |
(33) |
(32) |
(30) |
(24) |
(22) |
(20) |
(18) |
(16) |
(13) |
(9) |
(5) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
Opex - Surety bond fees |
$M |
(34) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
Closure Costs |
$M |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax - Federal income |
$M |
(494) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
(2) |
(26) |
(34) |
(51) |
(51) |
(48) |
(64) |
(60) |
(63) |
(48) |
(46) |
Tax - State income |
$M |
(98) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
(1) |
(6) |
(7) |
(10) |
(10) |
(9) |
(13) |
(12) |
(12) |
(9) |
(9) |
Tax - State severance |
$M |
(62) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(4) |
(4) |
(6) |
(6) |
(6) |
(7) |
(6) |
(7) |
(6) |
(5) |
Cash From Ops before WC |
$M |
6,351 |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
372 |
372 |
354 |
375 |
418 |
368 |
519 |
426 |
376 |
374 |
357 |
411 |
391 |
394 |
393 |
458 |
WC Changes – AR |
$M |
(91) |
|
|
|
(91) |
2 |
21 |
(21) |
1 |
(3) |
(4) |
8 |
(2) |
0 |
(2) |
1 |
0 |
(0) |
(0) |
(1) |
WC Changes – AP |
$M |
76 |
62 |
123 |
(80) |
(17) |
1 |
(30) |
28 |
3 |
2 |
(21) |
4 |
10 |
(0) |
4 |
(11) |
4 |
(1) |
5 |
(11) |
WC Changes - Stream |
$M |
230 |
230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash from Operations |
$M |
6,565 |
291 |
121 |
(82) |
264 |
375 |
345 |
383 |
422 |
368 |
493 |
438 |
383 |
375 |
359 |
401 |
395 |
393 |
397 |
446 |
Growth – EPCM |
$M |
(1,177) |
(239) |
(635) |
(303) |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth - Owners Costs |
$M |
(475) |
(48) |
(223) |
(205) |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth - Contingency |
$M |
(265) |
(51) |
(149) |
(64) |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sustaining capital |
$M |
(531) |
|
|
|
(24) |
(45) |
(44) |
(35) |
(85) |
(48) |
(39) |
(26) |
(21) |
(21) |
(17) |
(19) |
(19) |
(19) |
(28) |
(42) |
Deferred stripping |
$M |
(111) |
|
|
|
(0) |
(4) |
(15) |
(10) |
(28) |
- |
(5) |
(18) |
(5) |
(6) |
(1) |
(2) |
(4) |
(1) |
(15) |
- |
Cash From Investing |
$M |
(2,559) |
(338) |
(1,007) |
(572) |
(24) |
(49) |
(59) |
(45) |
(112) |
(48) |
(43) |
(44) |
(26) |
(27) |
(18) |
(21) |
(23) |
(20) |
(43) |
(42) |
Net Cash Flow |
$M |
4,007 |
(47) |
(886) |
(654) |
240 |
326 |
286 |
338 |
309 |
320 |
450 |
393 |
357 |
348 |
342 |
380 |
372 |
373 |
354 |
404 |
NPV @ 8% |
$M |
1,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NPV @ 10% |
$M |
741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IRR |
% |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAYBACK |
# years |
5.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phase II: Physicals |
Unit |
Phase II |
LOM |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Y17 |
Y18 |
Y19 |
Y20 |
Y21 |
Y22 |
Y23 |
Y24 |
Y25-29 |
Y30-34 |
Y35-39 |
Y40-44 |
Y45-49 |
Resources
Mined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
Mt |
124.2 |
340.4 |
|
|
0.7 |
3.0 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
3.3 |
13.8 |
14.1 |
11.6 |
74.2 |
0.0 |
|
|
|
East deposit |
Mt |
783.2 |
1,008.1 |
|
|
29.1 |
33.4 |
28.6 |
37.6 |
35.6 |
23.6 |
22.3 |
24.8 |
109.2 |
158.4 |
151.3 |
129.4 |
|
Total resources mined |
Mt |
907.4 |
1,348.5 |
|
|
29.8 |
36.4 |
30.5 |
39.1 |
38.8 |
37.3 |
36.4 |
36.4 |
183.4 |
158.4 |
151.3 |
129.4 |
|
Waste
Mined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
Mt |
19.3 |
137.1 |
|
|
0.8 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
2.2 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
2.5 |
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
East deposit |
Mt |
1,643.2 |
2,073.5 |
|
|
15.7 |
74.6 |
74.6 |
71.9 |
70.2 |
70.0 |
70.5 |
72.2 |
363.7 |
376.7 |
329.7 |
53.4 |
|
Total waste mined |
Mt |
1,662.5 |
2,210.6 |
|
|
16.5 |
74.8 |
74.7 |
72.1 |
72.4 |
73.9 |
74.8 |
74.8 |
368.7 |
376.7 |
329.7 |
53.4 |
|
Material
Moved |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rehandle |
Mt |
30.9 |
44.7 |
|
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.0 |
21.0 |
|
|
|
Total material moved |
Mt |
2,600.8 |
3,603.8 |
|
|
46.3 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
111.2 |
556.1 |
556.1 |
481.0 |
182.8 |
|
Strip
Ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper World deposits |
X:X |
0.16 |
0.40 |
|
|
1.15 |
0.08 |
0.04 |
0.18 |
0.67 |
0.28 |
0.30 |
0.22 |
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
East deposit |
X:X |
2.10 |
2.06 |
|
|
0.54 |
2.23 |
2.61 |
1.91 |
1.98 |
2.97 |
3.16 |
2.91 |
3.33 |
2.38 |
2.18 |
0.41 |
|
Total strip ratio |
X:X |
1.83 |
1.64 |
|
|
0.55 |
2.05 |
2.45 |
1.84 |
1.87 |
1.98 |
2.05 |
2.05 |
2.01 |
2.38 |
2.18 |
0.41 |
|
Mill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
Mt |
805.4 |
1,120.9 |
|
|
23.2 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
149.0 |
149.0 |
149.0 |
126.6 |
|
Headgrade - Cu |
% |
0.41 |
0.42 |
|
|
0.56 |
0.56 |
0.43 |
0.48 |
0.56 |
0.55 |
0.46 |
0.37 |
0.41 |
0.38 |
0.37 |
0.31 |
|
Headgrade – Ag |
g/tonne |
5.06 |
5.08 |
|
|
6.75 |
8.21 |
5.66 |
4.56 |
4.85 |
5.41 |
5.30 |
4.22 |
3.60 |
5.33 |
5.26 |
5.27 |
|
Headgrade – Mo |
% |
0.01 |
0.01 |
|
|
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
|
Leach |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes leached |
Mt |
121.6 |
227.6 |
|
|
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
33.1 |
30.4 |
2.3 |
2.8 |
|
Headgrade – CuSS |
% |
0.23 |
0.26 |
|
|
0.18 |
0.22 |
0.35 |
0.32 |
0.26 |
0.23 |
0.21 |
0.19 |
0.27 |
0.17 |
0.15 |
0.25 |
|
Headgrade - Cu |
% |
0.31 |
0.35 |
|
|
0.24 |
0.28 |
0.47 |
0.42 |
0.35 |
0.30 |
0.29 |
0.27 |
0.36 |
0.22 |
0.22 |
0.30 |
|
Purchased Cu
Conc |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cu concentrate |
Kt |
2,534.0 |
3,341.6 |
|
|
101.0 |
|
64.5 |
|
|
|
101.7 |
189.1 |
525.9 |
293.6 |
499.7 |
758.5 |
|
Grade – Cu |
% |
25.00 |
25.00 |
|
|
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.00 |
|
Grade – Au |
g/tonne |
0.50 |
0.50 |
|
|
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
|
Grade – Ag |
g/tonne |
15.00 |
15.00 |
|
|
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
|
Recovery to Cu
Cathode |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Mill |
% |
80.1 |
79.2 |
|
|
81.5 |
81.3 |
79.8 |
80.0 |
80.3 |
76.6 |
76.6 |
75.1 |
76.9 |
83.0 |
82.1 |
81.4 |
|
From Leach |
% |
58.7 |
58.9 |
|
|
58.9 |
61.5 |
59.2 |
58.6 |
58.7 |
58.6 |
56.3 |
56.1 |
58.6 |
59.1 |
54.7 |
61.8 |
|
From Purchased |
% |
97.1 |
97.3 |
|
|
97.5 |
|
98.1 |
|
|
|
97.8 |
97.8 |
97.8 |
97.4 |
96.7 |
96.5 |
|
Cu Cathode
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Mill |
Kt |
2,617.5 |
3,755.4 |
|
|
106.1 |
136.1 |
102.5 |
115.2 |
134.7 |
125.2 |
104.1 |
83.9 |
471.8 |
466.6 |
447.1 |
324.2 |
|
From Leach |
Kt |
219.4 |
463.1 |
|
|
9.3 |
11.4 |
18.3 |
16.4 |
13.6 |
11.7 |
10.8 |
9.9 |
69.8 |
40.1 |
2.8 |
5.3 |
|
From Purchased |
Kt |
615.4 |
812.6 |
|
|
24.6 |
|
15.8 |
|
|
|
24.9 |
46.3 |
128.6 |
71.5 |
120.8 |
182.9 |
|
Total Cu cathode |
Kt |
3,452.3 |
5,031.1 |
|
|
140.0 |
147.5 |
136.7 |
131.6 |
148.3 |
136.9 |
139.8 |
140.0 |
670.2 |
578.2 |
570.7 |
512.5 |
|
Mo Conc
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mo Concentrate |
Kt |
116.6 |
150.9 |
|
|
2.8 |
3.2 |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
3.4 |
4.5 |
4.0 |
16.6 |
24.1 |
24.4 |
21.9 |
|
Grade - Mo |
% |
52.96 |
52.54 |
|
|
51.07 |
51.14 |
52.89 |
51.34 |
51.68 |
50.85 |
54.45 |
54.43 |
51.54 |
53.31 |
53.48 |
53.88 |
|
Mo in concentrate |
Kt |
61.7 |
79.3 |
|
|
1.4 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
2.1 |
2.3 |
1.7 |
2.5 |
2.2 |
8.6 |
12.8 |
13.0 |
11.8 |
|
Doré
Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag in Doré - internal
feed |
000 oz |
68,539 |
95,347 |
|
|
2,657 |
4,165 |
2,853 |
2,295 |
2,443 |
2,659 |
2,591 |
2,032 |
8,624 |
13,528 |
13,333 |
11,359 |
|
Ag in Doré - purchased
conc |
000 oz |
1,094 |
1,443 |
|
|
44 |
|
28 |
|
|
|
44 |
82 |
227 |
127 |
216 |
328 |
|
Au in Doré - purchased
conc |
000 oz |
37 |
48 |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
|
Acid
Plant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased sulfur |
Kt |
655.2 |
1,752.3 |
|
|
45.9 |
71.5 |
76.2 |
22.4 |
18.3 |
48.5 |
51.6 |
42.0 |
140.5 |
59.8 |
78.6 |
|
|
Excess acid produced |
Kt |
5,733.3 |
7,304.3 |
|
|
187.7 |
78.3 |
44.8 |
106.7 |
96.9 |
71.7 |
99.5 |
103.9 |
725.8 |
711.5 |
1,827.6 |
1,678.9 |
|
Total
Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cu Eq Produced |
Kt |
3,949.5 |
5,689.4 |
|
|
155.6 |
166.0 |
150.8 |
146.7 |
164.4 |
151.2 |
156.8 |
154.5 |
735.4 |
670.4 |
684.0 |
613.5 |
|
Phase II: Unit Costs |
Unit |
Phase II |
LOM |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Y17 |
Y18 |
Y19 |
Y20 |
Y21 |
Y22 |
Y23 |
Y24 |
Y25-29 |
Y30-34 |
Y35-39 |
Y40-44 |
Y45-49 |
Mining
($/t material moved excl. Pre-strip) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining |
$/tonne |
1.35 |
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
1.27 |
|
1.27 |
|
1.31 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.35 |
|
1.56 |
|
|
Deferred stripping |
$/tonne |
(0.18 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
(0.07 |
) |
(0.18 |
) |
(0.00 |
) |
(0.02 |
) |
(0.27 |
) |
(0.32 |
) |
(0.26 |
) |
(0.33 |
) |
(0.12 |
) |
(0.17 |
) |
- |
|
|
Mining ex def stripping |
$/tonne |
1.17 |
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.09 |
|
1.31 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.05 |
|
1.01 |
|
1.06 |
|
0.99 |
|
1.20 |
|
1.18 |
|
1.56 |
|
|
Processing
($/t processed (tonnes milled + tonnes leached)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sulfide flotation |
$/tonne |
4.04 |
|
3.89 |
|
|
|
4.43 |
|
3.78 |
|
3.77 |
|
3.80 |
|
3.79 |
|
3.78 |
|
3.77 |
|
3.78 |
|
3.78 |
|
3.84 |
|
4.56 |
|
4.53 |
|
|
Molybdenum flotation |
$/tonne |
0.11 |
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
0.10 |
|
0.08 |
|
0.12 |
|
0.13 |
|
0.11 |
|
0.09 |
|
0.08 |
|
0.10 |
|
0.12 |
|
0.13 |
|
0.13 |
|
|
Leach Plant |
$/tonne |
0.49 |
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.35 |
|
0.46 |
|
0.49 |
|
0.42 |
|
0.40 |
|
0.41 |
|
0.44 |
|
0.47 |
|
0.57 |
|
0.62 |
|
|
Acid Plant |
$/tonne |
0.26 |
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
0.52 |
|
0.55 |
|
0.23 |
|
0.21 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.41 |
|
0.35 |
|
0.27 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.23 |
|
0.14 |
|
|
Acid Plant (electricity
credit) |
$/tonne |
(0.17 |
) |
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.19 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
|
Leach pad |
$/tonne |
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.00 |
|
0.00 |
|
|
Doré plant |
$/tonne |
0.15 |
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
0.22 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.12 |
|
0.13 |
|
0.14 |
|
0.14 |
|
0.11 |
|
0.10 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.17 |
|
0.18 |
|
|
SX/EW |
$/tonne |
0.84 |
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
0.90 |
|
0.84 |
|
0.82 |
|
0.90 |
|
0.84 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.86 |
|
0.83 |
|
0.74 |
|
0.83 |
|
0.88 |
|
|
Total |
$/tonne |
5.72 |
|
5.68 |
|
|
|
6.53 |
|
5.75 |
|
5.60 |
|
5.41 |
|
5.51 |
|
5.53 |
|
5.52 |
|
5.44 |
|
5.36 |
|
5.34 |
|
6.31 |
|
6.27 |
|
|
Other Unit
Costs ($/t processed (tonnes milled + tonnes
leached)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onsite G&A |
$/tonne |
0.95 |
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
1.02 |
|
0.78 |
|
0.79 |
|
|
Sustaining
cash cost ($/lb Cu) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost1 |
$/lb |
1.11 |
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
1.01 |
|
1.18 |
|
1.13 |
|
0.99 |
|
1.04 |
|
1.10 |
|
1.37 |
|
1.19 |
|
1.26 |
|
1.07 |
|
0.90 |
|
|
Sustaining cash cost1 |
$/lb |
1.42 |
|
1.43 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
1.68 |
|
1.49 |
|
1.47 |
|
1.25 |
|
1.33 |
|
1.48 |
|
1.73 |
|
1.57 |
|
1.55 |
|
1.36 |
|
1.08 |
|
|
Total cash cost2 |
$/lb |
1.46 |
|
1.44 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
1.01 |
|
1.42 |
|
1.13 |
|
0.99 |
|
1.04 |
|
1.47 |
|
1.97 |
|
1.56 |
|
1.49 |
|
1.49 |
|
1.64 |
|
|
Total sustaining cash
cost2 |
$/lb |
1.73 |
|
1.71 |
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
1.68 |
|
1.69 |
|
1.47 |
|
1.25 |
|
1.33 |
|
1.79 |
|
2.22 |
|
1.87 |
|
1.75 |
|
1.72 |
|
1.75 |
|
|
1 Internal feed
only; 2 Includes purchased concentrate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phase II: Cash Flows |
Unit |
Phase II |
LOM |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Y17 |
Y18 |
Y19 |
Y20 |
Y21 |
Y22 |
Y23 |
Y24 |
Y25-29 |
Y30-34 |
Y35-39 |
Y40-44 |
Y45-49 |
Cash
Flows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross rev – internal |
$M |
24,722 |
36,197 |
|
|
969 |
1,212 |
995 |
1,096 |
1,230 |
1,125 |
977 |
804 |
4,556 |
4,413 |
4,159 |
3,186 |
|
Gross rev – purchased |
$M |
4,845 |
6,397 |
|
|
194 |
|
124 |
|
|
|
196 |
364 |
1,012 |
563 |
951 |
1,440 |
|
TC/RC |
$M |
(280) |
(355) |
|
|
(6) |
(6) |
(7) |
(10) |
(11) |
(8) |
(11) |
(10) |
(41) |
(58) |
(60) |
(54) |
|
Freight |
$M |
(111) |
(154) |
|
|
(4) |
(7) |
(5) |
(4) |
(4) |
(4) |
(4) |
(3) |
(14) |
(22) |
(22) |
(19) |
|
Royalty |
$M |
(587) |
(841) |
|
|
(24) |
(32) |
(24) |
(25) |
(30) |
(28) |
(24) |
(19) |
(103) |
(104) |
(101) |
(74) |
|
Opex - Mining |
$M |
(3,048) |
(4,314) |
|
|
(84) |
(134) |
(121) |
(146) |
(145) |
(116) |
(112) |
(118) |
(551) |
(668) |
(568) |
(285) |
|
Opex - Processing |
$M |
(5,307) |
(7,653) |
|
|
(195) |
(209) |
(204) |
(197) |
(201) |
(201) |
(201) |
(198) |
(977) |
(958) |
(955) |
(811) |
|
Opex - Purch Cu Conc |
$M |
(4,180) |
(5,512) |
|
|
(167) |
|
(106) |
|
|
|
(168) |
(312) |
(867) |
(484) |
(824) |
(1,251) |
|
Opex - Onsite G&A |
$M |
(877) |
(1,253) |
|
|
(30) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(185) |
(183) |
(118) |
(102) |
|
Opex - Property tax |
$M |
(292) |
(588) |
|
|
(16) |
(15) |
(15) |
(15) |
(14) |
(17) |
(16) |
(16) |
(68) |
(53) |
(40) |
(6) |
|
Opex - Surety bond fees |
$M |
(55) |
(89) |
|
|
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
(9) |
(9) |
(9) |
(9) |
(5) |
Closure Costs |
$M |
(200) |
(200) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(200) |
Tax - Federal income |
$M |
(1,616) |
(2,110) |
|
|
(55) |
(83) |
(50) |
(65) |
(84) |
(73) |
(59) |
(36) |
(304) |
(281) |
(276) |
(249) |
|
Tax - State income |
$M |
(317) |
(415) |
|
|
(11) |
(16) |
(10) |
(13) |
(16) |
(14) |
(12) |
(7) |
(60) |
(55) |
(54) |
(49) |
|
Tax - State severance |
$M |
(190) |
(252) |
|
|
(7) |
(9) |
(6) |
(7) |
(9) |
(8) |
(7) |
(5) |
(36) |
(33) |
(33) |
(29) |
|
Cash From Ops before WC |
$M |
12,509 |
18,859 |
|
|
562 |
662 |
533 |
577 |
678 |
616 |
520 |
404 |
2,353 |
2,068 |
2,051 |
1,690 |
(205) |
WC Changes – AR |
$M |
91 |
|
|
|
(36) |
(5) |
10 |
3 |
(15) |
11 |
(5) |
0 |
(16) |
42 |
15 |
(44) |
130 |
WC Changes – AP |
$M |
(76) |
|
81 |
|
(42) |
19 |
(17) |
(10) |
2 |
(6) |
28 |
18 |
(31) |
(9) |
(35) |
105 |
(179) |
WC Changes - Stream |
$M |
|
230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash from Operations |
$M |
12,524 |
19,089 |
81 |
|
484 |
676 |
526 |
570 |
665 |
621 |
544 |
422 |
2,306 |
2,102 |
2,031 |
1,751 |
(254) |
Growth – EPCM |
$M |
(444) |
(1,621) |
(222) |
(222) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth - Owners Costs |
$M |
(264) |
(739) |
(132) |
(132) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth - Contingency |
$M |
(177) |
(442) |
(89) |
(89) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sustaining capital |
$M |
(967) |
(1,498) |
|
|
(31) |
(179) |
(38) |
(75) |
(52) |
(29) |
(38) |
(29) |
(169) |
(162) |
(109) |
(56) |
|
Deferred stripping |
$M |
(456) |
(567) |
|
|
(1) |
(7) |
(20) |
(0) |
(2) |
(31) |
(35) |
(29) |
(184) |
(67) |
(79) |
- |
|
Cash From Investing |
$M |
(2,308) |
(4,867) |
(443) |
(443) |
(32) |
(187) |
(58) |
(75) |
(55) |
(60) |
(73) |
(58) |
(353) |
(229) |
(188) |
(56) |
|
Net Cash Flow |
$M |
10,216 |
14,222 |
(361) |
(443) |
452 |
489 |
468 |
495 |
611 |
561 |
470 |
364 |
1,953 |
1,873 |
1,842 |
1,695 |
(254) |
NPV @ 8% |
$M |
947 |
2,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NPV @ 10% |
$M |
555 |
1,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IRR |
% |
49% |
18% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAYBACK |
# years |
1.7 |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRICE DECK |
PRICE / RATE |
UNIT |
LONG TERM |
Metals |
|
|
Copper |
$/lb |
3.50 |
Copper
net premium1 |
$/lb |
0.01 |
Molybdenum |
$/lb |
11.00 |
Gold -
offtaker |
$/oz |
1,600.00 |
Silver -
offtaker |
$/oz |
22.00 |
Silver -
stream |
$/oz |
3.90 |
Stream
contracted escalator2 |
% per year |
1.00 |
Other |
|
|
Molten
sulfur - purchases |
$/tonne |
215.00 |
Molten
sulfur - sales |
$/tonne |
195.00 |
Acid -
sales |
$/tonne |
145.00 |
Electricity |
$/kWh |
0.075 |
NSR royalty |
% |
3.00 |
1 Copper cathode premium net of cathode transport charge2 Annual
escalator begins in Year 4
MARKETING ASSUMPTIONS |
PRICE / RATE |
UNIT |
LONG TERM |
Molybdenum Concentrate |
|
|
Treatment
charge |
$/lb |
1.30 |
Payable %
- Mo |
% |
99.00 |
Freight |
$/wmt |
20.00 |
Moisture |
% |
6.00 |
Doré |
|
|
Refining
charge - doré bar |
$/oz |
0.40 |
Refining
charge - Au |
$/oz |
0.55 |
Payable %
- Au |
% |
99.90 |
Payable %
- Ag |
% |
99.90 |
Freight |
$/oz |
1.40 |
Purchased Copper Concentrate |
|
|
Purchase
price |
$/dmt |
1,649.55 |
Cu
grade |
% |
25.00 |
Mo
grade |
% |
0.01 |
Au
grade |
g/dmt |
0.50 |
Ag
grade |
g/dmt |
15.00 |
Zn
grade |
% |
0.20 |
S
grade |
% |
35.00 |
Treatment
charge |
$/dmt |
80.00 |
Refining
charge - Cu |
$/lb |
0.08 |
Payable %
- Cu |
% |
96.50 |
Payable %
- Au |
% |
90.00 |
Payable %
- Ag |
% |
90.00 |
Min
deduction - Cu |
% |
1.00 |
Min grade
- Au |
g/dmt |
1.00 |
Min grade
- Ag |
g/dmt |
30.00 |
Freight capture |
$/dmt |
80.00 |
OPERATING COST DETAILS – MINING |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Labor |
$M |
$340 |
$858 |
$1,198 |
Maintenance |
$M |
$398 |
$910 |
$1,307 |
Fuel |
$M |
$264 |
$623 |
$887 |
Blasting |
$M |
$166 |
$473 |
$639 |
Indirect |
$M |
$175 |
$554 |
$729 |
Other |
$M |
$35 |
$86 |
$121 |
Subtotal* |
$M |
$1,378 |
$3,504 |
$4,882 |
Deferred stripping |
$M |
($111) |
($456) |
($567) |
Total* |
$M |
$1,266 |
$3,048 |
$4,314 |
*Excludes pre-stripping costs
OPERATING COST DETAILS – PROCESSING |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Sulfide
flotation |
$M |
$1,502 |
$3,749 |
$5,251 |
Molybdenum flotation |
$M |
$39 |
$106 |
$145 |
Leach
plant |
$M |
$179 |
$450 |
$630 |
Acid
plant |
$M |
$295 |
$245 |
$540 |
Acid
plant (electricity credit) |
$M |
($92) |
($161) |
($254) |
Leach
pad |
$M |
$6 |
$7 |
$13 |
Doré
plant |
$M |
$54 |
$135 |
$190 |
SX/EW |
$M |
$362 |
$775 |
$1,137 |
Total |
$M |
$2,346 |
$5,307 |
$7,653 |
UNIT OPERATING COST SUMMARY |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Mining
excl. def stripping |
$/t material moved |
$1.30 |
$1.17 |
$1.21 |
Concentrator |
$/t processed |
$4.88 |
$4.79 |
$4.81 |
Sulfide
leach |
$/lb Cu prod |
$0.13 |
$0.07 |
$0.09 |
Oxide
heap leach |
$/lb Cu prod |
$0.01 |
$0.01 |
$0.01 |
SX/EW |
$/lb Cu prod |
$0.10 |
$0.10 |
$0.10 |
Onsite G&A |
$/t processed |
$0.89 |
$0.95 |
$0.93 |
CAPITAL COST SUMMARY |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Growth - EPCM |
$M |
$1,345 |
$621 |
$1,966 |
Growth - owner's costs |
$M |
$572 |
$264 |
$836 |
Growth - subtotal |
$M |
$1,917 |
$885 |
$2,802 |
Sustaining |
$M |
$531 |
$967 |
$1,498 |
Deferred stripping |
$M |
$111 |
$456 |
$567 |
Total |
$M |
$2,559 |
$2,308 |
$4,867 |
GROWTH CAPITAL DETAILS – EPCM |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Sitewide |
$M |
$15 |
$5 |
$20 |
Mining |
$M |
$38 |
$0 |
$38 |
Primary
crushing |
$M |
$31 |
$33 |
$64 |
Sulfide
plant |
$M |
$227 |
$144 |
$371 |
Molybdenum plant |
$M |
$15 |
$0 |
$15 |
Reagents |
$M |
$9 |
$5 |
$13 |
Plant
services |
$M |
$29 |
$14 |
$43 |
SX/EW
plant |
$M |
$190 |
$60 |
$250 |
Concentrate leach plant |
$M |
$88 |
$0 |
$88 |
Acid
plant |
$M |
$77 |
$0 |
$77 |
Doré
plant |
$M |
$20 |
$0 |
$20 |
Site
services and utilities |
$M |
$3 |
$3 |
$5 |
Internal
infrastructure |
$M |
$19 |
$10 |
$29 |
External
infrastructure |
$M |
$102 |
$0 |
$102 |
Common
construction |
$M |
$84 |
$54 |
$138 |
Other |
$M |
$173 |
$118 |
$291 |
Contingency |
$M |
$224 |
$177 |
$401 |
Total |
$M |
$1,345 |
$621 |
$1,966 |
GROWTH CAPITAL DETAILS – OWNER’S COSTS |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Pre-stripping |
$M |
$57 |
$0 |
$57 |
Mining
fleet and equipment |
$M |
$186 |
$0 |
$186 |
Tailings
storage |
$M |
$20 |
$264 |
$284 |
Heap
leach pad |
$M |
$45 |
$0 |
$45 |
Earthworks and roads |
$M |
$28 |
$0 |
$28 |
G&A
and other |
$M |
$156 |
$0 |
$156 |
Indirects
and contingency |
$M |
$79 |
$0 |
$79 |
Total |
$M |
$572 |
$264 |
$836 |
SUSTAINING CAPITAL DETAILS |
METRIC |
UNIT |
Phase I |
Phase II |
LOM |
Mining |
$M |
$305 |
$439 |
$744 |
Processing |
$M |
$163 |
$365 |
$528 |
Admin |
$M |
$63 |
$163 |
$226 |
Deferred
stripping |
$M |
$111 |
$456 |
$567 |
Total |
$M |
$642 |
$1,423 |
$2,065 |
Figure 1: Copper World Complex
MineralizationThe Copper World Complex consists of several
mineral deposits hosting both oxides and sulfide copper
mineralization, with a majority of the deposits located on patented
mining
claims.https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3612e49-e5b6-4348-9d82-1b64f0359c5f
Figure 2: Private Land Package to Support Phase
IHudbay’s total private land package has increased since
2019 to approximately 4,500 acres with the inclusion of private
land claims (fee land) and patented mining claims. This private
land package is estimated to support the first phase of
approximately 16 years of operations at the Copper World
Complex.https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/57c71963-0cd8-4e53-b92c-7bad068b424b
Figure 3: Phase I and Phase II Open Pit
FootprintThe overall mine footprint is expected to consist
of four open pits in Phase I with two of the pits expanding onto
federal land in Phase II. Phase I considers exploitation of the
pits and their associated infrastructure within a footprint that
requires only state and local permits for 16 years of
operation.https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e7311c1-a337-4bf8-a396-aa0dbebd03b7
Figure 4: Contribution of Resources
Mined over the Mine LifeThe Peach, Elgin, West, Broadtop
and Bolsa deposits contribute approximately 50% of the resources
mined in Phase I and approximately 90% in the first five years. The
East deposit becomes a major contributor in year five and is the
primary source of feed in Phase
II.https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ec42721-0055-4bea-8a1b-82986101b2f9
Figure 5: Reduction in Energy
Consumption and GHG Emissions from Sulfide and Oxide
LeachingOne of the many benefits of producing copper
cathode on site is that the cathode is likely to be sold entirely
to the domestic U.S. market, thereby reducing energy consumption,
greenhouse gas and sulfur emissions by eliminating overseas
shipping, smelting and
refining.https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f1d3a07-4fed-4e6f-b7ad-918a4a01eb8f
i "Tonnes” refers to metric tonnes and “tons” refers to imperial
or U.S. short tons. The mine plan assumes external concentrate is
sourced in years when spare capacity exists at the SX/EW facility
in order to maximize the full utilization of the facility. Copper
cathode production from mined resources excludes the production
from external concentrate. Average annual copper cathode production
from external concentrates is approximately 12,000 tonnes in Phase
I and 22,000 tonnes in Phase II. There remains the potential to
replace external copper concentrate with additional internal
feed.ii Cash cost and sustaining cash cost, net of by-product
credits, per pound of copper produced from internally sourced feed
and excludes the cost of purchasing external copper concentrate,
which may vary in price or potentially be replaced by additional
internal feed. By-product credits calculated using the following
commodity prices: molybdenum price of $11.00 per pound, silver
stream price of $3.90 per ounce and amortization of deferred
revenue as per the company’s approach in its quarterly financial
reporting. By-product credits also include the revenue from the
sale of excess acid produced at a price of $145 per tonne.
Sustaining cash cost includes sustaining capital expenditures and
royalties. Cash cost and sustaining cash cost are non-IFRS
financial performance measures with no standardized definition
under IFRS. For further details on why Hudbay believes cash costs
are a useful performance indicator, please refer to the company's
most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three
months ended March 31, 2022.
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