The copper tonnage depends on Head Grade. Various figures have been bandied about but I think the last was 0.55%. Which for 50Mtpa (after upgrading the mine from 25Mtpa) production is close to 275,000 tons of copper per year (excluding losses). The head grade could now be higher than 0.55%.
The better the initial grade and the higher the copper price the quicker the bank loan is paid down and the higher the NPV.
I hadnt seen the 300kt/yr Cu figure but I had heard about 100,000t Cu and 1500t Mo per year which is still a monster pre expense cashflow of some 3/4 Billion dollars at the updated $3 Cu, $30 Mo figures (excludes mine cost, bank repayment and Au/Ag/Re credits).
Obviously still speculation until the DFS comes out. Nonetheless the numbers are still publicly released and the basis upon which recent institutional investments have been made.
MGO Price at posting:
32.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
