Name and Location
Saskatchewan metals processing plant (SMPP) project, Canada.

Client
Fortune Minerals.

Project Description
The SMPP is a hydrometallurgical refinery planned near Langham, Saskatchewan, in the rural municipality of Corman Park.

The plant will process metal concentrates from the Fortune’s proposed NICO mine and mill in the Northwest Territories.

The SMPP lands are adjacent to the Canadian National Railway, which will be used to deliver 180 t/d of bulk concentrate from the NICO mine over its expected minimum 20-year life span. Fortune is also exploring other potential sources of concentrate that could be processed at the SMPP and is also investigating opportunities for entering the recycling business.

Once operational, the SMPP will have an estimated average production of 40 500 oz/y of gold, contained in doré; 1 600 t/y of cobalt, contained in cobalt sulphate heptahydrate; 1 700 t/y of bismuth, contained in ingots, needles and an oxide compound; and 250 t/y of copper, contained in a metal precipitate by-product that will be sold to smelters.

Value
The capital cost of the plant is estimated at more than $200-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Minister of Environment for the Province of Saskatchewan Ken Cheveldayoff, has accepted the Environmental Assessment Branch’s recommendation and approved Fortune’s proposed SMPP, subject to certain conditions.

With this approval, Fortune is completing the process of rezoning its land in conjunction with the Rural Municipality of Corman Park. The company is also continuing its dialogue with nearby communities to explain the opportunities of the refinery and exchange information about the project with residents.

The approval for the SMPP includes conditions, several of which reflect Fortune’s prior commitments made through the environmental assessment process. They include, among other conditions, establishment of an independent community-based monitoring programme submitting of a yearly monitoring report to Saskatchewan Environment, providing effective dust control for all components of the project, and submission of a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis of the process residue that will be stored at the site.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Fortune Minerals investor relations manager Troy Nazarewicz, tel +1 519 858 8188 or email info@fortuneminerals.com.