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Name of the Project
Merlin diamond project.
Location
Northern Territory of Australia.
Project Owner/s
Lucapa Diamond Company.
Project Description
A scoping study has shown robust economics for a long-life mine development using conventional openpit and vertical pit mining techniques.
The project will have a processing capacity of about 1.2-million tonnes a year, treating 14-million tonnes over the envisaged 14-year life-of-mine (LoM), with average diamond production estimated at 153 000 ct/y.
The project has a production target of 2.1-million carats over the estimated LoM.
Production over the LoM will be predominantly sourced from indicated and inferred resources, with an estimated 71% from indicated resources and 29% from inferred resources.
The project has total mineral resources of 27.8-million tonnes for 16 carats per hundred tonnes.
Initially, each of the project’s eight kimberlite pipes will be mined using conventional openpit mining.
When the openpit has been completed to the planned depth, vertical pit mining will be implemented to deepen the mine below the base of the openpit.
There is potential for viable underground mining beneath the vertical pit mine on certain pipes; however, this has not been included in the current scoping study.
Lucapa is undertaking a separate scoping study to evaluate a potential underground development.
Potential Job Creation
The mine will require a workforce of about 200 people.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at a 7% discount rate, of A$343-million and internal rate of return of 59%, with payback expected by the second year of production.
Capital Expenditure
The project will require an initial capital investment of A$96-million, including waste prestrip of about A$18-million.
Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to have a two-year development timeline, owing to the advanced stage of the project and existing infrastructure. Production is expected to start in mid-2025.
Latest Developments
Lucapa has struck a gas supply heads of agreement (HoA) with ASX-listed Armour Energy for the Merlin project.
The HoA considers the sale of gas produced from Armour’s Glyde Field discovery, in the McArthur basin, from production start, which is expected in mid-2025, for 14 years to the end of 2039.
It is expected that a minimum of 7 PJ of gross gas will be delivered over the contract term.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
AMC Consultants (mining study).
Contact Details for Project Information
Lucapa Diamond Company, tel +61 8 9381 5995.