Name of the Project
Tschudi copper project.
Location
Namibia.
Client
Weatherly International.
Project Description
Tschudi is an openpit mine with an estimated mining rate of 17-million tonnes a year.
Ore will be processed using solvent extraction-electrowinning at a rate of 2.6-million tonnes a year of ore.
The mine is expected to produce 17 000 t/y over nine-year mine life.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Value
Initial capital required to develop the project is estimated at $81-million.
Duration
The project achieved commercial operation status in October 2015.
Latest Developments
The Tschudi mine improved production by 21% quarter-on-quarter to 4 105 t in the quarter ended September 30.
Tschudi C1 costs were reduced by 15% to $5 402/t.
“The company continues to experience lower-than-anticipated leach rates . . . and continues to compensate for this by exposing ore faster in the pit and stacking higher volumes of copper metal in ore, which together result in a higher C1 cost in the short to medium term,” the company has said in a statement.
Weatherly continues to extend the heap-leach pad area to provide additional time for the leaching of copper and has completed the construction of four new leach pads.
Bulk earthworks and clay liners for the final remaining three pads are also complete.
Weatherly has noted that openpit groundwater inflows continue to increase as pit mining proceeds to deeper elevations; however, the flow rates are being managed adequately to ensure a reliable supply of ore for stacking.
The company has also warned that it, and its subsidiaries, are unlikely to generate sufficient surplus cash to meet all loan repayments when due, particularly in the near term.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Basil Read Namibia (mining operations); B & E International North (crushing, agglomeration and stacking contract) and Logiman (engineering, procurement and construction).
On Budget and on Time?
The project is ahead of schedule and within budget.
Contact Details for Project Information
Weatherly International, tel +44 207 917 2989, fax +44 207 439 0262 or email info@weatherlyplc.com.