REG - Asiamet Res Ltd - Positive Results for Key Inputs to 2022 FS Update

Asiamet ResourcesAnnouncement

14/11/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 2269G  Asiamet Resources Limited  14 November 2022

14 November 2022

 

Asiamet BKM Copper Project - Positive Results for Key Inputs to 2022 FS Update

 

Asiamet Resources Limited ("Asiamet" or the "Company") is pleased to announce
further positive results from studies being completed as part of the 2022
feasibility study (FS) update for its BKM copper project located in Central
Kalimantan, Indonesia

As part of the ongoing studies and optimisation process for the 2022 FS
update, the following key operating inputs are expected to provide significant
benefits for the project including:

·    An estimated 50% reduction in sulphuric acid consumption over the
life of mine compared to the 2019 feasibility study.

·    Additional climate data for the BKM site indicating reduction in mean
annual rainfall assumptions by 18% with positive impacts on the modelled site
water balance and a reduction in operating and capital costs to manage and
treat site water.

These items deliver substantial environmental and costs benefits to the BKM
copper project.

 

Darryn McClelland, Chief Executive Officer commented:

"The delivery of an up-to-date FS for the BKM Copper project is a necessity
for advancing project financing. This update incorporates both the physical
inputs and cost assumptions, all of which are inter-related and impact on the
economic outcomes for the FS update. As such our team has been reshaping the
project and pushing hard to deliver improvements which reduce the overall
costs for the project in an environment of significant operating and capital
cost inflation. The reduction in expected acid consumption and a reduction in
the modelled annual average precipitation delivers significant environmental
management and cost benefits to the project. We look forward to providing
further market updates as the remaining study activities are completed."

 

Details in relation to each of the abovementioned benefits is provided below.

Sulphuric Acid Consumption

Sulphuric Acid is a critical chemical reagent for nearly all metals recovery
processes. The consumption and thus cost of sulphuric acid is usually a large
component of the operating cost of metals recovery plants. With the rapidly
increasing demand for battery minerals, sulphuric acid demand is also
increasing rapidly with a corresponding increase in prices.

Sulphuric Acid is integral to the BKM Copper project which utilises a heap
leach, solvent extraction and electrowinning flowsheet to produce copper
metal. An updated interpretation of the heap leach test work undertaken by the
project metallurgical consultant MWorx, in consultation with a review of the
process circuit conditions by feasibility study engineers NewPro and Asiamet
technical personnel, has resulted in a 50% reduction in the acid consumption
over the project life of mine when compared to the 2019 feasibility study.
The reduced acid consumption more than offsets the significant increase in
unit price for sulphuric acid in 2022 relative to the price used in the 2019
FS.

There are also substantial environmental and economic benefits (reduced
operating costs) delivered through the reduction in consumption of fresh
sulphuric acid.

 

Climate Study Update - Water Balance Impacts

Since the original water balance study was completed in 2017-18, rainfall and
climate data continue to be captured on site and from regional locations
proximal to the BKM copper project.  The previous study utilised 13 months of
site-specific rainfall data along with long term regional rainfall records to
determine a BKM site rainfall pattern. The overlapping site and regional data
has increased confidence in the rainfall model estimates and represents a
reduction of ~18%. This has an important impact on the project, reducing both
capital and operating costs related to water management and water treatment.
Updated assumptions for these requirements will be included in the FS
Update.

 

Other FS Update Activities

A number of work streams continue to be advanced in parallel, including final
pit design and production scheduling (complete), pit geotechnical assessment,
site water balance/water management strategy, transport and logistics
strategy, power supply and critically, project capex cost estimation.

 

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.

 

This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market
Abuse Regulations (EU) no. 596/2014 ("MAR").

 

 

 

 

 

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