Gunpowder had oxides at surface which helped get that going, Ernest Henry pit - approx 50m of barren cover, Osborne Open Pit - again approx 50m of barren cover - all done in lower real Cu prices than today. Cannington - under 40m barren cover went underground straight away due to orebody configuration and grade, now open pit in thinner lower grade northern part. Strip ratios are not the be all and end all of mining economics, there are other considerations.
Are you trying to say that J1 and J2 are uneconomic regardless of mining method? Have J1 and J2 lodes been closed off along strike and down dip yet? Because if so this must news to the board of A1M who seem quite keen to buy DRM.