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Australia
Sulphur Springs Project

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 Location:
102 km SE from Port Hedland, Western Australia, Australia

  Project Contacts:
Level 2, 91 Havelock Street
West Perth
Western Australia, Australia
6005
Phone  ...  Subscription required
Fax+61-8-9463-7836
EmailEmail
WebsiteWeb
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  • Overview
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  • Fleet
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  • Filings & News

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Overview

StagePermitting
Mine TypeOpen Pit & Underground
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Lead
  • Silver
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Sub-level caving
  • Longhole open stoping
Processing
  • Flotation
Mine Life10.3 years (as of Jan 1, 2018)
Latest NewsDevelop: Extremely high-grade assays pave way for significant increase in Indicated Resource     May 16, 2022


Owners

 
CompanyInterestOwnership
DEVELOP Global Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct

Deposit Type

  • VMS


Summary:

The Sulphur Springs Copper-Zinc deposit is hosted by the Kangaroo Caves Formation, a volcano-sedimentary sequence within the north-north easterly trending tectonostratigraphic domain known as the Lalla Rookh–Western Shaw Corridor (LWSC) in the central east of the Archaean Pilbara Craton. The deposit is a well-preserved example of an Archaean volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) style deposit in a low-grade metamorphic terrain.


Mining Methods

  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Sub-level caving
  • Longhole open stoping


Summary:

Mining of the Sulphur Springs deposit has been assumed to be by a combination of open pit and underground methods. The open pit mine life is currently projected to be approximately four years immediately followed by the underground for a further six years. The selected mining method, design and extraction sequence are tailored to suit orebody characteristics, minimise dilution and ore loss, utilise planned processing plant capacity and expedite free cash generation in a safe manner. Mining schedules have been based on realistic mining productivities with readily achievable mining rates along with consistent material movements.

Open pit mining dilution and recovery modifying factors were simulated by modelling to a Selective Mining Unit (“SMU”) of 5mX x 5mY x 2.5mZ. The re- blocking technique dilutes fully into the SMU size and the resultant model is then used as a diluted model.

Key parameters used as part of the pit optimisation process included (but are not limited to):
- Assumed average of 1.25Mtpa of ore processing
- Mining costs derived from submissions received from mining contractors who offered pricings for the previous study
- Metallurgical recoveries provided by Lycopodium (who completed test work in conjunction with ALS) - Processing and infrastructure costs provided by Lycopodium (based on an updated and optimised plant design and infrastructure requirements).

The intention is to mine the Sulphur Springs deposit using hydraulic excavators (backhoe configuration) and rear dump trucks after the material has been drilled and blasted. For the first two and half years of open pit operations, the fleet will consist of 1 x Liebherr 9200 (210 t-class) plus 1 x Komatsu PC1250 (120 t-class) excavator. These will be supported by a fleet of Komatsu HD785-7 dump trucks.

During this period, overburden will be removed and the orebody exposed. After establishing the working area, the Liebherr 9200 excavator is de- mobilised and for the remainder of the open pit life mining is carried out by the Komatsu PC1250 excavator. All mining activities will be conducted by a specialist mining contractor.

Underground mining will be completed through Modified Sub-Level Caving (“M-SLC”) techniques. Geotechnical parameters remained the same for underground mining from previous studies as no further work has been completed on the underground portion of the ore body.

The proposed mining method requires a pattern of generally evenly spaced and sized rib pillars separating the primary (core) stopes, which are connected via an overlying sill pillar.

The sill pillar separates the active mining area from the overlying mined out area, which contains waste rock fill introduced from a pass breaking through to a designated area in the floor of the pit.

The mine is developed by a decline system with a mine portal established on the footwall side of the orebody in the open pit at the 1,200mRL. This will allow central access to the ore from the initial single heading decline, which will then allow development of a single main decline system located to the east of the Main fault. This decline will allow access to both the East and West lodes.

Detailed mine sequencing shows that a minimum mine production rate of 1.25Mtpa is suitable from a mining inventory (inclusive of Inferred classification material) of 5.6Mt grading 3.7% Zn and 1.4% Cu, an increase from the inventory presented in the VES of 4.9Mt grading 3.7% Zn and 1.3% Cu.

Underground mining will be undertaken by rubber tyred, diesel-powered equipment utilising 55-tonne haul trucks and 2900 scale boggers.

Total mining operations for the underground, including initial mine development and subsequent ore mining, will take place over a period of approximately 6.5 years.

After reviewing a number of mining methods, M-SLC is still the preferred extraction method with some areas being extracted via Long Hole Open Stoping.

The Kangaroo Caves project has been reviewed as a high-level study considering a single simplified mining method of top-down longitudinal open stoping with rock pillars. Benchmark operating costs and mining assumptions have been applied.

The underground operation has been assumed to be accessed from a portal location at surface (1,200mRL). Due to the flat-dipping nature of the ore body, longitudinal ore drives on 10m level intervals with two levels being mined off one level access have been selected, resulting in level accesses off the decline designed on 20m level intervals.

The ore mining schedule supplements the Sulphur Springs feed, adding a further 1.8 Mt of inventory grading 3.8% Zn and 0.7% Cu.

Ore production is at a rate of 1.25Mtpa for both the open pit and underground operations.


Crushing and Grinding
Flow Sheet: Source


Processing

  • Flotation

Flow Sheet: Subscription required

Summary:

The Sulphur Springs process plant consists of a mineral processing flotation concentrator with associated services and ancillaries. The plant has been designed to take run-of-mine (ROM) ore from the mine and concentrate the Copper and Zinc bearing minerals to produce a Copper-bearing product, a Zinc-bearing product and a barren tail.

The process facilities involved include the following:
- Crushing
- SAG and Ball milling
- Flotation
- Thickening
- Filtration
- Product handling
- Tailings disposal
- Reagents
- Services and Ancillaries.

The plant has been designed in accordance with accepted industry practice and the flowsheet has been constructed from unit operations that are well proven in industry and based on the results of current and historical test work programs.

Crushing and Coarse Ore Storage
Run-of-Mine (ROM) ore will be reclaimed from the ROM pad by a front-end loader and fed to the ROM bin with ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameterAvg. LOM
Silver Head Grade, g/t 15.8
Copper Head Grade, % 1.45
Copper Concentrate Grade, % 25
Zinc Head Grade, % 3.61
Zinc Concentrate Grade, % 50

Projected Production:

CommodityProductUnitsAvg. AnnualLOM
Copper Payable metal kt 15146
Zinc Payable metal kt  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Silver Payable metal koz  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Copper Concentrate kt 65
Zinc Concentrate kt  ......  Subscription required

Operational Metrics:

Metrics
Ore tonnes mined, LOM 12,554 kt *
Tonnes processed, LOM 12,554 kt *
Annual processing rate 1,225 kt *
Annual processing capacity 1.25 Mt *
Annual mining rate 1.25 Mt of ore *
* According to 2018 study.

Reserves at October 10, 2018:

CategoryOreTypeTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Probable In-Situ (OP) 3,709 kt Copper 1.8 % 65,793 t
Probable In-Situ (UG) 4,785 kt Copper 1.1 % 53,287 t
Probable Total 8,494 kt Copper 1.4 % 119,081 t
Probable In-Situ (OP) 3,709 kt Zinc 3.6 % 133,356 t
Probable In-Situ (UG) 4,785 kt Zinc 2.7 % 127,929 t
Probable Total 8,494 kt Zinc 3.1 % 261,284 t
Probable In-Situ (OP) 3,709 kt Silver 17.1 g/t
Probable In-Situ (UG) 4,785 kt Silver 12.1 g/t
Probable Total 8,494 kt Silver 14.3 g/t
Indicated 11,700 kt Copper 1.38 %
Indicated 11,700 kt Zinc 4.2 %
Indicated 11,700 kt Lead 0.2 %
Indicated 11,700 kt Silver 16.3 g/t
Inferred 5,700 kt Copper 1.2 %
Inferred 5,700 kt Zinc 4.34 %
Inferred 5,700 kt Lead 0.2 %
Inferred 5,700 kt Silver 18 g/t
Total Resource 17,400 kt Copper 1.36 %
Total Resource 17,400 kt Zinc 4.25 %
Total Resource 17,400 kt Lead 0.2 %
Total Resource 17,400 kt Silver 16.6 g/t

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnitsAverage
Assumed price Zinc USD 2,650 / t *
Assumed price Copper USD 2.86 / lb *
Assumed price Silver USD 19 / oz *
* According to 2018 study / presentation.

Operating Costs:

Units2018
OP mining costs ($/t milled) AUD 36.9 *
Combined mining costs ($/t milled) AUD  ......  Subscription required
Processing costs ($/t milled) AUD  ......  Subscription required
Total operating costs ($/t milled) AUD  ......  Subscription required
* According to 2018 study.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

2018 Study Costs and Valuation Metrics :

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Initial CapEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Sustaining CapEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Closure costs $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Total CapEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
OP OpEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
UG OpEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
OP/UG OpEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Processing OpEx $M AUD 402.3
Refining costs $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Transportation (haulage) costs $M AUD 108,300
G&A costs $M AUD 47.6
Total OpEx $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Royalty payments $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Gross revenue (LOM) $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Net revenue (LOM) $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Pre-tax Cash Flow (LOM) $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Pre-tax NPV @ 8% $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
After-tax NPV @ 8% $M AUD  ......  Subscription required
Pre-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscription required
After-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscription required
Pre-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscription required
After-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Proposed Heavy Mobile Equipment as of October 10, 2018:
HME TypeModelSizeQuantity
Excavator ....................... Subscription required 120 t ....................... Subscription required
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 25, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 25, 2021
Subscription required - Subscription is required.


Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
................................... Subscription required 2019
Press Release 2018
Feasibility Study Report 2017
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

News:

NewsDate
Develop: Extremely high-grade assays pave way for significant increase in Indicated Resource May 16, 2022
Northern Star sells out of Venturex March 17, 2021

Aerial view:

Subscription required - Subscription is required.

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