Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, June 2, 2010 International Enexco Ltd. Reports Updated Pre-Feasibility Study for the Contact Copper Project, Nevada
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - June 2, 2010) - Arnold Armstrong, President and CEO of International Enexco Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:IEC) (the "Company") announced today that the Company has received an Update to the 2009 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for its 100%-owned Contact Copper Project, Nevada, in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").
The Update and 2009 PFS are NI 43-101 compliant studies prepared for Enexco by Gustavson Associates, LLC of Lakewood, Colorado, an independent engineering consulting group. The Update is based on addition of 2009 drilling results, and includes re-interpolation of the resource model and optimization of the pit design using parameters from the PFS. The changes result in a 161% increase in mineable copper and improvements to the cash flow model of 20.2% IRR, up from 13.2% in the PFS, and a net present value (NPV) at 10% discount rate of $44.5 million, up from $9.7 million in the PFS.
The Updated Mineral Resource at Contact now stands at 711.8 million pounds of copper (298.3 million pounds Measured and 413.4 million pounds Indicated) (135.2 million tons at 0.263% Cu), with an Inferred Resource of 291 million pounds of copper (53.4 million tons at 0.272% Cu), based on a 0.10% Cu cut-off grade. The Update includes an additional 20,745 feet of core that was completed in 20 drill holes, along with the re-interpretation of geologic contacts, and revised criteria for grade interpolation using an ID-2 model and the classification of resources.
Mineral Resource Estimate reported at 0.10% Cu cut-off.
| Copper | |||
| Category | Tons | Cu (%) | Pounds Cu |
| Measured | 52,976,000 | 0.282 | 298,397,000 |
| Indicated | 82,233,000 | 0.251 | 413,413,000 |
| Measured + Indicated | 135,209,000 | 0.263 | 711,810,000 |
| Inferred | 53,490,000 | 0.272 | 291,368,000 |
The copper reserves are now estimated at 27.0 million tons at 0.30% Cu proven and 27.1 million tons at 0.28% Cu probable, totaling 54.1 million tons of 0.28% Cu or 317 million pounds of Cu in proven and probable reserves. No inferred resources were used in either the production schedule or economic analysis. The Updated reserves represent a 161% increase in copper reserves, up from 33.6 million tons of 0.29% Cu or 197 million pounds of Cu proven and probable reserves in the 2009 PFS.
Mineral Reserve Estimate reported at 0.10% Cu cut-off.
| Copper | |||
| Category | Tons | Cu (%) | Pounds Cu |
| Proven | 27,011,000 | 0.305 | 164,701,000 |
| Probable | 27,138,000 | 0.280 | 152,199,000 |
| Proven + Probable | 54,149,000 | 0.293 | 316,899,000 |
For the Updated PFS, Gustavson developed a 9 year mine plan and production schedule based on an open pit mine producing 5.6 million tons of ore per year at an overall 2.9:1 strip ratio. Copper recovery is unchanged from the PFS net overall recovery of 76%. Overall production is projected at 241 million pounds of copper, supporting 25 million pounds per year of cathode copper from heap leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX/EW), at an average cash cost projected at $0.93/lb. The initial capital costs are now estimated at $88 million, including a contingency of 20%. Based on the PFS copper price of $2.25/lb, the project after-tax net present value (NPV) at 10% discount rate is forecast at $44.5 million, up from $9.7 million, and the internal rate of return (IRR) is 20.2%, up from 13.2% in the PFS.
In light of the results, Arnold Armstrong, President & CEO, commented today that:
"The Updated PFS is another milestone for the Contact Project. The global economy continues to show demand for copper. We believe we have a viable project in Contact, and still have room for further improvement. With the new results, we are evaluating how to best proceed, whether through additional drilling or by permitting and engineering studies that will lead us more directly to production."
A copy of the full Updated PFS Technical Report will be filed on the SEDAR website within 45 days.
The technical content of this news was reviewed and approved by William Crowl and Terre Lane of Gustavson who are Qualified Persons (QP) as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101.
Forward Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this news release, including those regarding production, costs, production, economics and other statements that express expectations or estimates of future performance constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Information concerning the interpretation of mineral resources and reserves may be deemed as forward-looking statements as such information constitutes a prediction of what might occur if and when a project is actually developed.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties, contingencies and risks. Enexco cautions the reader that these statements involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further discussion of the risks is included within the PFS, and in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR. Enexco cautions investors and others that the list of factors may not be exhaustive and should carefully consider the uncertainties and risks in any decision that may be made from the Company's forward-looking statements.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ENEXCO
Enexco is a Canadian based advanced exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. In addition to its 100% owned Contact Copper Resource Property, the Company is exploring other prospective areas of Nevada, and has a joint venture with Cameco Corporation (52.5%), International Enexco (30%) and AREVA. (17.5%) to jointly develop the High-Grade Mann Lake Uranium Project located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Cameco is operator of the Mann Lake Uranium Project.
For further information on all of Enexco's projects, visit our website at: [ www.enexco.ca ].
Paul McKenzie, Director, International Enexco Limited
"Neither The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."
