Yes I have said that we can expect a lower OPEX ... I havent changed my views.
These are the early estimates and are normally very conservative. They would have added anything up to 35% extra to their paper costing as a buffer for this early confidence level estimate.
ALSO:
They dont take into account any other factors such as eventual choice of:
1] HPGR or SAG/ball mill 2] Bought acid, or on-site production 3] Use of radiometric sorting ... ala Rossing, or not 4] Metallurgy studies ... which would provide leaching times, amount of acid use, and ease of separating mineral from gangue. 5] The non-requirement of heat in the agitator tank, which is used to assist the leaching process. Used at Langer Heinrich, but not at Rossing, and so far not needed at Etango. Non-use would drop power requirement needed.
All of these issues will effect how much re-agent is used, how short a time the concentrate has to be processed, how much power is needed, and these all effects manpower levels too.
As they go through full Pre-feasibility, Definitive feasibility, and finally, Bankable feasibility studies, they will have performed all the required tests, pilot studies, and minute-level costings, and you will have a much, much higher degree of confidence level in their figures.
Even though low $20's is still good, IMO you will end up seeing a much lower eventual cost per/lb than this.
EXT Price at posting:
$7.73 Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
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