Oly and Regan,
Not negative, just realistic.
Yes oxide is a starter but if it does not work then what hope sulphides which is a lot more complicated with addition of lead. As I said before just cos the plant is built does not mean that it will work - remember this sucker was supposed to cost $55M and be operational in July 2007 - latest estimate $140M and commissioning in May 2008 - what is the ramp up period to full production - this not answered in any announcement so I am guessing 6 months from commissioning.
Show me one successful copper/lead/cobalt/nickel producer all from same ore-body. No proven technology in commercial use to extract these metals at this point in time - why do you think Rio walked away from this deposit in early 1990's - cos it was too difficult to extract anything meaningful.
HNC won't spend multi $$$$$$$$ on unproven technology - they will want to go pilot plant first so lets work out a rough timeline.
12 more months to finish feasablity study. Another 12-18 months getting permits to build a pilot plant (has lead so lots of greenies will jump on this). Another 18 months to build a pilot plant. If that successful another 30 months to build 4 mtpa plant.
So all going well another 6 years + before big bucks start flowing from sulphides. HNC can afford to wait 6 years.
Are you sure HNC taking all cobalt/nickel - I cannot find any definative announcement that states this - sounds like somebody mentioned this years ago on HC and it has grown into "fact" status
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