St Barbara finds better economics, higher output at same capital cost for 15-Mile
ASX-listed gold producer St Barbara has released an updated prefeasibility study (PFS) on its 15-Mile Processing Hub project, in Nova Scotia, which will combine three historical gold mines into a single integrated operation.
The updated PFS is based on ore reserves of 1.4-million ounces, which increased by 17% compared with the prior PFS published in January. The project's net present value (NPV) has increased by 21% to A$1.7-billion at base case prices in the latest assessment, while the internal rate of return (IRR) is estimated at 81.6%.
Using spot prices, the project's NPV increases to A$2.7-billion and the IRR widens to 121%.
The 15-Mile project's lifespan is extended to 13 years based on proved and probable reserves, compared with about 11 years envisioned in the prior PFS. This while the life-of-mine gold production estimate increased by 203 000 oz to 1.4-million ounces.
Gold production is poised to average 106 000 oz/y.
St Barbara has also derisked the project's development in the meantime, estimating an initial capital investment requirement of C$289-million, or A$315-million, which is on par with the prior PFS but with improved production rates.
Owing to low openpit strip ratios, strong recoveries from conventional free-milling ores and shared infrastructure across three mine sites, 15-Mile has a low all-in sustaining cost profile averaging $1 098/oz, or A$1 685/oz, over the project's lifetime.
The updated PFS estimates stronger project economics based on a more refined design while remaining within the scope of St Barbara's current regulatory submissions.
A feasibility study for the 15-Mile Processing Hub is expected during the third quarter next year, which should contribute to a final investment decision by end-June, 2027.
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) - the leading conference and events venue in Pretoria/Tshwane.
VISIT SHOWROOM
Sweet-Orr, established in 1871, is a global leader in superior protective workwear, known for quality, innovation, and performance.
VISIT SHOWROOM
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
