Newcrest optimized the PFS by deferring a part of the earlier plans into future work, a financial savings of about 25% of the footprint. The preliminary capital price was diminished by $112 million. The corporate expects gold and copper grades to rise over the medium time period.
In comparison with earlier designs, the PC1-2 PFS additionally optimized the north-south footprint to debottleneck extraction drives and increase manufacturing by 90%. It additionally prioritizes excessive grade ore restoration, provides a fifth ore go location, and construct a devoted exhaust vent.
Newcrest expects to start the early works program for the enlargement by the tip of this yr. Work has already begun on the feasibility examine, due within the second half of 2022.
First manufacturing is anticipated in 2026. The Cadia mill throughput will then be 15 million t/y with common annual manufacturing of 205,000 oz. of gold and 39,000 tonnes of copper for the lifetime of the mine.
For the complete yr ended June 30, 2021, Cadia produced 765,000 oz. of gold and 106,000 tonnes of copper.
(This text first appeared within the Canadian Mining Journal)
