Charlie, Perhaps the answer to the 5Mill tonne stockpile riddle...

Charlie,

Perhaps the answer to the 5Mill tonne stockpile riddle lies not in the need to have material available for feed necessarily, but has more to do with having the top of the native copper exposed and ready to go in time for plant commissioning.

Perhaps it makes sense removing spoil (and now some ore as well) so that we can maximise returns early.

Perhaps, given we have the earthmoving gear already there and this forms the major component of extraction costs, the cost of diesel,operators and maintenance is relatively minor and the benefits override any double handling extras.

Perhaps (and I know some on here would think this is drawing a long bow) they know a little more than hot copperites about the planning and options available in extracting the product to maximise returns.

Cheers - Surfydad