Name and Location
Florence copper project, Arizona, US.

Client
Curis Resources.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) completed on the Florence copper project envisages a revised extraction plan, compared to the development plan included in the 2010 preliminary economic assessment (PEA).

The study was based on an estimated 340-million tons of probable mineral reserves, grading 0.358% total copper at a cutoff grade of 0.05% total copper.

The revised plan uses existing facilities and locates the well field, the copper processing plant, water-management facilities and related infrastructure on the 65 ha Arizona State Land Department lease area, which will be controlled by Curis for the first nine years of operations. In the tenth year, production will expand to private land owned by Curis.

Yearly production has been revised to 55-million pounds of copper cathode for years 1 to 6, rising to 85-million pounds of copper cathode in years 7 to 21, and a decline thereafter. The PFS has also extended the commercial operating life of the project from 19 to 25 years.

Value
Initial capital costs are estimated at $196-million, an 18% decrease from the initial capital cost estimate presented in the 2010 PEA.

Duration
Copper production is scheduled to begin in 2016.

Latest Developments
Curis is awaiting approval from the Environmental Protection Agency for an underground injection control permit for a Phase 1 production test facility at the Florence project. The company will initiate formal construction and operations of the test facility once the permit is received.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
M3 Engineering & Technology Corp (PFS).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Curis Resources, tel +1 604 684 6365, fax +1 604 684 8092 or email info@curisresources.com.
M3 Engineering & Technology Corp, tel +1 520 293 1488, fax +1 520 293 8349 or email m3@m3eng.com.