The mineralisation identified to date within the Project is typical of sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits. Such deposits can be hosted in either marine or continental (red-bed) sediments. Major global examples of these deposits include the Kupferschiefer (Poland), most of the deposits within the Central African Copperbelt (such as Konkola, Nkana, Nchanga, Mufulira, Tenke–Fungurume, and Kolwezi), Redstone (Canada), and White Pine (USA).

The modelled Kamoa deposit is located in a broadly-folded terrane, with the antiform centred on the Kamoa and Makalu domes. The central portions of Kakula are located on the southern extension of this antiform, with Kakula West located on the top of a separate, but parallel trending antiform. The domes form erosional windows exposing the redox boundary between the underlying haematitic (oxidised) Roan sandstones (Mwashya Subgroup), and the overlying carbonaceous and sulfidic (reduced) Grand Conglomérat diamictite (N’Guba Group), which comprises diamictites with minor interbedded sandstone, siltstone, and conglomerate. The mineralisation at Kamoa-Kakula is hosted towards the base of the Grand Conglomérat unit (Ki1.1).

Mineralisation at Kamoa-Kakula has been defined over an irregularly-shaped area of about 28 km x 23 km. Mineralisation is typically stratiform, and vertically zoned from the base upward with chalcocite (Cu2S), bornite (Cu5FeS4) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). The nature of the copper grade distribution is related to its stratigraphic position, proximity to the Roan aquifer (or structures that may have focussed fluid flow), and the localised development of lithological units. The earliest sulfide mineralisation at Kamoa-Kakula was deposited during diagenesis and formed abundant framboidal and cubic pyrite in the laminated siltstones (Schmandt et al, 2013). This pyrite mineralisation above the mineralised horizon could possibly be exploited to produce pyrite concentrates for sulfuric acid production (needed at oxide copper mines in the DRC).

Kamoa Deposit
Mineralisation at Kamoa has been defined over an irregularly-shaped area of 24 km x 14 km. Mineralisation thicknesses at a 1.0% Cu cut-off grade ranges from 2.3–21.6 m (for Indicated Mineral Resources). The deposit has been tested locally from below surface to depths of more than 1,560 m, and remains open to the west, east, and south.

At Kamoa, the clast-rich diamictite (Ki1.1.1.1) is considered to be only weakly reducing, and thus generally hosts only low-grade (<0.5% TCu) mineralisation. The intermediate siltstone (Ki1.1.1.2) and clast-poor diamictite (Ki1.1.1.3) are considered to represent significantly better reducing horizons and thus host the majority of the primary mineralised zone. Some of the most consistent and highest-grade intervals are intersected where the clast-rich diamictite is absent, and the clast-poor diamictite rests directly on the Roan contact.

The nature of the copper grade distribution is related to its stratigraphic position and the localised development of lithological units. Where the mineralisation is located on the Roan contact, the mineralised interval is thick, and has a very strongly-developed bottom-loaded profile. Where the mineralisation is located at the base of the clast-poor diamictite (Ki1.1.1.3), the profile is typically bottom-loaded (if no intermediate siltstone is developed), or complex if one or more siltstone layers are developed. In the Kansoko Sud and Makalu areas, numerous siltstone layers developed within the diamictite cause the grade profile to become bimodal or even top-loaded. Where the mineralisation is hosted at the base of the KPS, it is typically narrow (but often high grade), with a middle-loaded profile.

At Kamoa, chalcopyrite is the primary sulfide mineral, and usually occurs as fine-grained disseminations in the diamictite matrix. However, very coarse-grained chalcopyrite can form as elongated grains up to 5 mm in length rimming clasts, or defining strain shadows to clasts. Bornite is typically fine-grained and disseminated in the matrix of the diamictite. When well developed, the fine-grained bornite is visually recognised through a significant darkening of the diamictite matrix. Chalcocite almost always occurs as fine-grained disseminations, particularly within the intermediate siltstone (Ki1.1.1.2).

Kakula Deposit
The Kakula deposit is currently delineated over an area of 14 km by 5km. The vertical thickness of the mineralisation at a 1.0% Cu cut–off grade ranges from 2.9 m to 42.5 m (in the indicated Mineral Resource area). The deposit has been tested locally from below surface to depths of more than 1,000 m, and remains open to the southeast and west.

At Kakula, the narrow (<3 m) clast-rich diamictite immediately above the Roan contact is only weakly reducing and thus has low copper grades. The basal siltstone overlying the clast-rich diamictite is a very strong reductant, contains very high grades (>6% Cu), and accounts for the majority of the deposit. The lateral continuity of this reductant allows for the unique lateral continuity of grades >6% TCu. The diamictite overlying the basal siltstone is clast-poor and is also a good reductant; however, it hosts low-grade copper mineralisation relative to the basal siltstone (Figure 7.14). This relationship is considered to represent the distribution of the pyrite reductant prior to mineralisation, and has been incorporated into the domaining used in the estimation for both Kakula and Kakula West.

Mineralisation at Kakula is dominantly hypogene chalcocite with gradual transition upward to bornite. Bornite and chalcopyrite zones are not as well developed as at Kamoa, and supergene chalcocite zones do not occur at Kakula. The chalcopyrite and bornite zones are very narrow, with a very gradual transition downward from bornite to chalcocite, followed by a zone that is typically within the basal siltstone, which is chalcocite-dominant. Whilst still dominantly fine-grained, numerous examples of coarse to massive chalcocite are evident in the highest-grade intersections. Chalcopyrite is observed in the core, but typically occurs outside of the defined mineralised zone, except in peripheral areas at Kakula West where the overall mineralised zone has narrowed, incorporating the full zonation.

The mining methods for the Kakula deposit are drift-and-fill and room-and-pillar. Drift-and-fill represents the majority of the mining for the Kakula deposit. The room-and-pillar area represents just over 1% of the Probable Mineral Reserve and will mainly be used for early ore production while the drift-and-fill areas are being developed.

The Kamoa-Kakula 2020 PEA analyses a production case with an expansion of the Kakula concentrator processing facilities, and associated infrastructure to 19 Mtpa and includes a smelter and eight separate underground mining operations with associated capital and operating costs. The eight mines ranked by their relative net present values are:
• Kakula Mine (PFS 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kansoko Mine (PFS 1.6 Mtpa to 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kakula West Mine (PEA 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kamoa North Mine 1 (PEA 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kamoa North Mine 2 (PEA 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kamoa North Mine 3 (PEA 6.0 Mtpa).
• Kamoa North Mine 4 (PEA 3.0 Mtpa).
• Kamoa North Mine 5 (PEA 1.0 Mtpa).

Mining methods in the Kamoa-Kakula 2020 PEA are assumed to be a combination of the controlled convergence room-and-pillar mining method, drift-and-fill with paste fill mining method, and room-and-pillar mining method.

Kakula West Mining
The West Scarp Fault was used to define the Kakula West resource model from the Kakula resource model. The preliminary mineable area was obtained using a stope shape optimiser (applied to the Kakula West resource model. Stope optimisation was undertaken on the resource model at mining cut-off grades 2.50% Cu. A dilution allowance of 30 cm on footwall and hanging wall was added to the model. The resulting stope shapes were then further optimised to select a suitable mining method for the area with a height more than 6 m.

Kamoa North Mines
The Kamoa North deposit is located North of the Kansoko mine and consists of four separate mines. The Kamoa North mines are based on a preliminary UG optimisation at $90/t NSR21 cut-off grade. The Resources model name is mk50ton.dm. The study assesses the development and production of the Kamoa North deposit at a maximum of 19 Mtpa underground mine production from five separate mines.

Crushed ROM ore with a top size (F100) of 350 mm from underground, is conveyed to a single 15,000 t ROM stockpile for storage prior to the surface crushing circuit. The material is extracted from the stockpile, at a controlled rate via three variable speed apron feeders, and is discharged onto the secondary screening feed conveyor.

Crushing and Screening
The secondary screening feed conveyor transfers material from the ROM stockpile, together with secondary crusher product, to the 285 t secondary screening feed bin. The material is screened at 50 mm using two 3.6 x 7.0 m, dual deck, vibrating screens. The secondary screen oversize material, roughly 60% of the screen feed, is conveyed to the secondary crushing circuit for size reduction, while the secondary screen undersize material reports to either one of the two HPGR feed stockpiles via the secondary screen undersize transfer conveyor. The secondary screen oversize material reports to the 225 t secondary crushing feed bin, via the secondary crushing feed conveyor. The material is extracted at a controlled rate using dedicated feeding systems to feed three continuously operating cone crushers (Model: CS660). Each secondary cone crusher is installed with a 315 kW motor to achieve a size reduction from F80 195 mm to P80 55 mm. The secondary cone crusher product is conveyed to the secondary screening feed bin via the secondary screening feed conveyor. Tramp iron removal systems are included on the secondary crushing feed conveyor. Provision is made for dust suppression at the screening and crushing buildings. Process cameras are provided at the secondary screening building for monitoring.

HPGR Stockpiling
The secondary screening undersize product is conveyed to the actuated, HPGR storage feed splitter chute arrangement where the material can be split between the two HPGR feed stockpiles or directed to either one of the two stockpiles depending on stockpile levels via the HPGR feed stockpile conveyors.Each HPGR feed stockpile is designed to store a live capacity of 5,000 t. The material is extracted from each of these stockpiles, at a controlled rate via two variable speed belt feeders, which discharge the material onto dedicated HPGR feed bin transfer conveyors.

HPGR Crushing
The HPGR crushing circuits will consist of two identical modules. The secondary screening undersize product is extracted from the HPGR feed stockpile at a controlled rate using two variable speed belt feeders, which discharge the material onto the HPGR feed bin transfer conveyor. The HPGR feed bin transfer conveyor transfers the material onto the HPGR feed bin conveyor, where the secondary screen undersize product is combined with the primary mill feed screen oversize recycle stream.The combined HPGR feed material reports to the 225 t HPGR feed bin, via the HPGR feed bin conveyor. The material from the HPGR feed bin is extracted at a controlled rate using variable speed vibrating feeder which discharge onto the HPGR feed conveyor. Tramp iron removal systems are included on the HPGR feed conveyor in the form of a tramp iron removal magnet followed by a metal detection unit. The HPGR unit, a Polycom HPGR 17/12-5, is fitted with 2 x 1,200 kW drives to achieve a size reduction from F100 50 mm. Provision is made for dust suppression at the HPGR building.HPGR crushed ore is conveyed to the primary mill feed screen for closed circuit classification at 8 mm. The primary mill feed screen - a dual deck 3.6 m x 6.1 m vibrating unit, is utilised for primary mill feed classification. The primary mill feed screen oversize product (plus 8 mm) is collected on the HPGR feed bin conveyor and recycled to the HPGR circuit for size reduction. The screen undersize material (minus 8 mm) gravitates to the primary mill feed hopper where it combines with the primary mill classification cyclone underflow.

Primary Milling
The primary milling circuit will consist of two identical modules. Each module comprises of a 20'Ø x 32' EGL, overflow discharge ball mill (installed with a 7000 kW VSD) operating in closed circuit with a cyclone cluster consisting of 12 x 500 mm diameter units. The primary mill feed screen undersize material (–8 mm) gravitates to the primary mill feed hopper where it combines with the primary mill classification cyclone underflow. The primary mill slurry gravitates to the 150m3 primary mill discharge sump, via a trommel screen, from where it is pumped to the primary mill classification cyclone at a controlled rate and density, using variable speed duty/standby pumping systems. The primary mill classification cyclone overflow product, P80 140 µm, reports to the secondary mill discharge sump as feed.Addition of 70 mm high chrome steel balls is affected using a magnet and sputnik arrangement, to load the media to the primary mill feed hopper via the primary mill feed screen underpan. Spillage produced in the primary mill circuit will report to spillage collection sumps, from where it is pumped to the primary mill discharge sump. Oversize material from the primary mill trommel screen (scats) reports to dedicated scats conveying systems.

The design allows for dedicated mill relining machines to each primary mill to facilitate with mill relining. Provision is made for process cameras at the primary mill feed screen areas, for monitoring purposes.

Secondary Milling
As per the primary milling circuit design, the secondary milling circuit consist of two identical modules. Each module comprises of 20'Ø x 32' EGL overflow discharge ball mills (installed with a 7,000 kW VSD), operating in closed circuit with a cluster of 16 x 350 mm diameter classification cyclones.

The primary milling classification cyclone overflow products report to the 150 m3 secondary milling discharge sump in a reversed feed configuration, where it combines with the secondary mill product, prior to being fed to the secondary mill classification cyclone at a controlled rate and density.

The Kamoa-Kakula 2020 PEA assesses an alternative development option of mining several deposits on the Kamoa-Kakula Project as an integrated, 19 Mtpa mining, processing and smelting complex, built in three stages. This scenario envisages the construction and operation of three separate mines: first, an initial 6.0 Mtpa mining operation would be established at the Kakula Mine on the Kakula Deposit; this is followed by a subsequent, separate 6.0 Mtpa mining operation at the Kansoko Mine using the existing twin declines that were completed in 2017; a third 6.0 Mtpa mine then will be established at the Kakula West Mine. As the resources at the Kakula, Kansoko and Kakula West mines are mined out, production would begin sequentially at five other mines in the Kamoa North area to maintain throughput of 19 Mtpa to the then existing concentrator and smelter complex.

The concentrator consists of the following:
• A shared crushing and screening module.
• Two identical high-pr ........