copper, page-7

questions to reduce my ignorance Oly,

This may seem like a silly question (rest assured I am totally serious), but what are the refining implications of a polymetallic oxide resource such as CMR's as opposed to the more common one or two dominant metals found in most mines.

Does it mean that for any given tonne of ore CMR must choose which metal it will extract to the exclusion of all others? Or does it mean that the same tonne of ore can be processed (e.g.) for copper, and then again for lead and then again for U etc.? (i.e., is there any opportunity cost involved refining polymetallic deposits).

Is there somewhere (i.e., online resources) where I can better learn the chemical processes (in particular with chemical equations included) involved in processing polymetallic oxides and sulfides such as those held under CMR's turf?

Cheers,

S.