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REG - Asiamet Res Ltd - 2022 FS Update Life of Mine Production Physicals

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RNS Number : 8367G  Asiamet Resources Limited  18 November 2022

18 November 2022

 

Asiamet BKM Copper Project - 2022 FS Update Life of Mine Production Physicals

 

Asiamet Resources Limited ("Asiamet" or the "Company") is pleased to announce
key production parameters for the updated feasibility study (2022 FS) being
completed on its BKM copper heap leach SX-EW project located in Central
Kalimantan, Indonesia. BKM plans to produce copper cathode for sale into the
fast growing local Asian markets.

The mining and production Life of Mine (LOM) physicals represent the most
significant change in the 2022 FS Update relative to the previously reported
2019 study. Considerable time has been taken to redesign and develop an
optimised plan which helps to mitigate the impacts of the cost inflation being
experienced across the entire industry.

Key highlights of the 2022 LOM physicals relative to the 2019 FS outcomes are
provided in the table below. Additional key points of note include:

·    Improved strip ratio and 33% higher soluble copper grade processed.

·    Processing 32% less ore whilst delivering 89% of the LOM copper
cathode production.

·  Total material mined (ore + waste) is reduced by 33%, reducing total
mining costs and providing significant environmental benefits through a
reduced footprint.

·  Significant reduction in maximum ore treatment rate allows optimisation
of heap leach footprint and reduces cost of all materials handling equipment.

·    Generates greater LOM revenue based on current consensus copper
pricing of between $3.75-3.85/lb.

Optimisation studies for the FS update were undertaken by the Company in
conjunction with its FS consultants NewPro Consulting and mining engineering
consultants AMDAD. This important work was focussed on reducing the overall
mine footprint through more efficient mining of the most readily accessible
ore in order to deliver a higher-margin mine plan and heap leach stacking
operation. Studies have also taken into consideration recommendations from the
bank endorsed Independent Technical Expert engaged to review the BKM project
at an initial stage in the project financing process.

Table 1: 2022 FS Life of Mine Physicals

 Project Physical                   2022 FS Update  2019 FS
 Ore Mined                   Mt     38.4            56.6
 Waste Mined                 Mt     52.5            79.9
 Total Material Mined        Mt     90.9            136.5
 Strip Ratio                 #      1.37            1.41
 Maximum Ore Treatment Rate  Mt/Yr  4.5             8.0
 Soluble Copper grade        % Cu   0.51            0.39
 Ore Stacking Period         Years  9.0             8.8
 LOM Cathode Produced        kt     154.1           172.6

Results from further 2022 FS workstreams such as pit geotechnical assessments,
site water balance/water management strategy, transport and logistics
strategy, power supply and critically, project capex cost estimation are
beginning to be made available to the Company and will be announced as they
become available culminating with the delivery of the completed 2022 FS.

 

Darryn McClelland, Chief Executive Officer commented:

"I am pleased to be able to announce the results of the most significant piece
of work undertaken in relation to the 2022 update of the BKM Copper Project
feasibility study.

Delivering 89% of copper production for only 67% of the total material
movement relative to the 2019 study demonstrates a focus on quality over
quantity when comparing the study scenarios.

The value proposition of this LOM model has been focused on delivering ore
which is most suited for heap leaching. The lower volume of total material
mined significantly reduces the footprint of the project particularly with
respect to the Heap Leach and Waste Rock Dump facilities. This has positive
effects in relation to capital expenditure, environmental management,
operational efficiency and mine closure requirements. It also preserves more
of the BKM primary copper resource for future development opportunities.

The 2022 FS Update for the BKM Copper project has not been a simple review and
update of the costs reported for the 2019 study. In order to mitigate the
input cost increases being experienced industry wide and thus maintain robust
and attractive economics, the project has been reshaped in terms of scope and
mine plan. Extensive modelling has been required to produce the final pit
designs and the integrated mining and heap leach production schedules.

Detailed operating cost models are being prepared using the updated production
schedule and processing plant design work has continued in parallel with over
90% of new equipment packages issued for pricing and evaluations completed.

Significant momentum has been building and work is progressing as quickly as
possible to bring the required information together to conclude the 2022 FS
Update. Given the criticality of this study for project financing we must
deliver this 2022 FS update to the necessary standard and quality required by
the banks. We will continue to update the market as results from multiple
workstreams are delivered and compiled into the final study documents."
 

 

Appendix:

BKM Copper Open Pit Design:

Early work by NewPro Consulting on processing operating costs and a review of
previous study mining costs led mine engineering consultant AMDAD to commence
work on establishing a new open pit optimisation model for the BKM copper
project. The full details of the inputs to the optimisation and decisions made
with respect to pit shell selection will be provided in the detailed FS report
however the outcome of this work showed that the footprint of the project was
not going to be consistent with the 2019 FS. The operational cost structures
used in the 2022 FS optimisation were considered reflective of the mining
costs in the BKM environment with more suitable mining equipment and
processing costs as they were understood by NewPro at the time of
optimisation. The selection of the optimisation inputs were considered
reasonable and appropriate to set the basis for ongoing FS work through
finalisation of the pit optimisation.

The selected optimisation pit shell became the basis for mine and heap leach
stacking scheduling to understand the interactions and limitations between
these two processes. The estimated volume of ore from the optimisation, being
reduced compared to the previous study allowed for a complete review of the
heap leach facility design due to reduced ore containment requirements. This
review led to some significant changes to the heap leach facility footprint
and addressed some of the feedback from the early 2022 ITE review. Very
detailed, integrated mining and heap leach stacking schedules were developed
in order to assess the impact of ore treatment rates, leach recovery and total
project mine life based on new heap leach facility design. This work led to
the development of the overall mining and stacking schedule physicals derived
from a final pit design as described in the announcement.

A detailed pit design has been completed using the chosen optimised pit shell
as its basis. The final design takes into account practicalities of in pit
infrastructure including access roads, water management requirements and
interactions with waste dumps and ore delivery to processing facilities.

 

**ENDS**

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Darryn McClelland, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

-Ends-

Darryn McClelland
Chief Executive Officer, Asiamet Resources Limited

Email: darryn.mcclelland@asiametresources.com
(mailto:darryn.mcclelland@asiametresources.com)

 

Tony Manini
Executive Chairman, Asiamet Resources Limited

Email: tony.manini@asiametresources.com
(mailto:tony.manini@asiametresources.com)

 

Investor Enquiries

Sasha Sethi

Telephone: +44 (0) 7891 677 441

Email: Sasha@flowcomms.com (mailto:Sasha@flowcomms.com) /
info@asiametresources.com

Asiamet Resources Nominated Adviser
RFC Ambrian Limited

Bhavesh Patel / Stephen Allen

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3440 6800

Email: Bhavesh.Patel@rfcambrian.com (mailto:Bhavesh.Patel@rfcambrian.com)  /
Stephen.Allen@rfcambrian.com (mailto:Oliver.Morse@rfcambrian.com)

 

Optiva Securities Limited
Christian Dennis

Telephone: +44 20 3137 1903

Email: Christian.Dennis@optivasecurities.com
(mailto:Christian.Dennis@optivasecurities.com)

Follow us on twitter @AsiametTweets

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the
Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are
frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project",
"intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other
similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will"
occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to
differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or
expressed in such forward-looking statements.   Such factors include, among
others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of
economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be
refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour
disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices.  There
may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended.  Any forward-looking statement speaks
only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by
applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be
put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

 

 

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