PERTH (miningweekly.com) - ASX-listed junior Blackthorn Resources has commissioned a prefeasibility study (PFS) for the Kitumba resource, which forms part of the Mumbwa copper project, in Zambia.
The commissioning of the PFS followed the successful completion of a scoping study in September last year, which indicated the positive economic potential of the Kitumba deposit.
Blackthorn said on Tuesday that the PFS would build on the work carried out during the scoping study process, and would look to update the mineral resource and geological models, define a life-of-mine schedule, develop a conceptual mine plan, identify a development strategy and preferred mining method, and prepare a conceptual economic model for the project.
“Following the encouraging outcomes of the scoping study and the excellent results achieved from our latest drilling programme at Kitumba, we continue to be very excited about the project,” Blackthorn MD Scott Lowe said.
He noted that a mineral resource update would enhance the company’s understanding of the nature and extent of the deposit, while the PFS would tell Blackthorn more about the project’s technical aspects and economic potential.
“This work is a very important step on the path to production and assessing the viability of building a new copper mine in Zambia,” Lowe added.