Name of the Project
Bloom Lake iron-ore project.

Location
Bloom Lake is located near Fermont, in north-eastern Quebec, Canada.

Client
Champion Iron.

Project Description
Bloom Lake has total proven and probable reserves of 411.71-million tonnes grading 30.01% iron; and measured and indicated resources of 911.6-million tonnes grading 25.6% iron.

A feasibility study completed on the project has shown that restarting iron-ore mining operations at Bloom Lake is financially viable and would be competitive in global iron-ore markets, with the potential to be one of the region’s leading long-life iron-ore mines.

Restarting operations is based on different operating assumptions, which include an upgrade to the concentrator plant and a mineral reserve and mining scenario updated for the current iron-ore market.

The operation comprises a conventional surface mining method using an owner mining approach, using electric hydraulic shovels and mine trucks. All major mine equipment required for the restart of the mine is on site, as this equipment is among the assets bought by the company’s subsidiary, Quebec Iron Ore.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of C$1.68-billion and an internal rate of return of 43.9%, with a payback of 2.5 years.

Value
Initial capital expenditure, including the mine upgrade capital cost of $157.2 million, has been estimated at C$326.8-million.

Duration
Not state.

Latest Developments
Champion Iron has announced that subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore (QIO) has signed an offtake agreement and arranged bridging financing for the restart of the Bloom Lake iron-ore mine.

Japanese commodity trader Sojitz Corporation has agreed to take up to three-million dry tonnes a year of high-grade iron-ore for an initial five-year period once commercial production resumes. The agreement will automatically extend for further five-year terms.

Champion has also arranged a $40-million bridging financing so that work can start at the mine site during the summer construction season. Work will focus on upgrading the tailings management system, process plant and ordering of long lead time items.

The financing consists of a C$20-million loan from Sojitz and a C$6-million loan from 36.8% QIO equity holder Ressources Quebec. A $14-million equity investment is also being made by Champion, which owns 63.2% of QIO, and the Quebec government proportionate to their respective shares in the company.

The 20-million-tonne-a-year Bloom Lake mine is fully permitted with federal and provincial permits.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Champion Iron VP corporate secretary (Canada) Jorge Estepa, tel +1 416 866 2200 or email jestepa@championiron.com.