Name of the Project
Scotia zinc/lead project.

Location
The project is located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Project Owner/s
ScoZinc Mining.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has concluded that the project economics are very robust, with relatively low capital requirements and a short payback period.

The project is set to produce high-quality zinc and lead concentrates for more than 14 years at low operating costs using conventional openpit mining methods, with a steady ore processing rate of 2 700 t/d.

The mine’s mineral resources will be extracted using conventional load-and-haul mining methods as determined by optimised pit designs and life-of-mine schedules.

The ScoZinc concentrator plant was last operated in 2009 at 2 200 t/d from the original nameplate design of 1 500 t/d using conventional crushing, grinding flotation, concentrate dewatering/drying and rehandling loadout.

The PFS has confirmed that, with relatively minor upgrades to the comminution, flotation and dewatering circuits, the plant can consistently operate at 2 700 t/d without major capital expansion.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $156-million and an internal rate of return of 52%, with a payback of 2.4 years.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital expenditure is estimated at $30.8-million, including contingency of $2.7-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The PFS shows that commercial zinc and lead concentrate production can be achieved within 9 to 12 months.

Latest Developments
ScoZinc remains in active discussions with various capital providers for the Scotia project.

ScoZinc said it is “aggressively pursuing” the project finance required to start commercial production.

ScoZinc president and CEO Mark Haywood has expressed the company’s gratitude towards the government of Nova Scotia, which has contributed C$150 000 towards the cost of the Scotia mine’s PFS. The contribution has been made through a grant from the Mineral Resource Development Fund.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
ScoZinc Mining, tel +1 902 482 4481 or email info@ScoZinc.com.