Asiamet releases updated copper reserve numbers for BKM
The updated reserve will be the cornerstone of the 2025 BKM Stage 1 optimised feasibility study, which is expected shortly.
The project is now reckoned to contain 15 million tonnes of ore grading 0.8% copper, for 117,000 tonnes of contained copper in the proven reserve category.
In addition, there is 13.3 million tonnes at 0.7% copper, for 90,000 of contained copper in the probable reserve category.
Taken together, total ore reserves amount to 28.3 million tonnes at 0.7% copper, giving 207,000 tonnes of contained copper
The plan is to mine 22.1 million tonnes of waste, making the strip ratio fairly moderate, at 0.8:1.
The ore will be processed using heap-leach and solvent extraction/electro-winning.
"The 2025 BKM ore reserve estimate is the culmination of more than 15 months of technical work undertaken as part of the optimised feasibility study,” said Darryn McClelland, Asiamet's chief executive.
“The ore reserve tonnage supports the company's strategic decision to redesign the BKM heap leach facility and materially lower upfront construction capital by mining a lower volume, higher-grade reserve at a dramatically reduced strip ratio. The selected ore reserve pit is smaller than the optimal value pit, preserving the opportunity to process additional ore if an expansion of the heap leach facility is undertaken in future.”
View from Vox
Publication of this updated new ore reserve, ahead of the full 2025 BKM optimised feasibility Study, demonstrates clear progress being made in developing the BKM Stage 1 heap leach project. Stage 1 is the launchpad for unlocking the potential of the BKM mineral district and the wider KSK Contract of Work.
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