Soaring demand for copper will help drive mergers, BHP CEO says
Demand for copper, a key element in the energy transition, is set to rise by 70% to 100% by 2050, Mike Henry said
Alaska-focused developer Trilogy Metals (TSX: TMQ; NYSE-AM: TMQ) has released an updated feasibility study for its Arctic copper-zinc-lead-silver-gold project in the Ambler mining district, outlining slightly weaker economics amid an inflationary backdrop.
Trilogy, which has a 50% stake in Ambler Metals, a joint venture with South32 (LSE: S32; ASX: S32; JSE: S32), outlined a 10,000-tonne-per-day conventional open pit mine and mill operation for a minimum mine life of 13 years.
It was forced to update the 2020 Arctic feasibility study in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Annual metal production falls slightly in comparison to the 2020 feasibility study to 148.7 million lb. copper, 172.6 million lb. zinc, 25.8 million lb. lead, 32,539 oz. gold and 2.8 million oz. silver.
The capital outlay has jumped 40% to $1.7 billion, up from $1.2 billion previously, with the new study doubling the mine closure and reclamation budget to $428.4 million, among other line-item increases.
Under the new mine plan, the all-in cost net of byproduct credits jumped 64% to $1.61 per lb. copper from 98¢ previously.
