Aquila Resources has reported the results of an independent, open-pit-only feasibility study of its 100% owned Back Forty zinc and gold project on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Project life is estimated at seven years, producing an average of 67,000 ounces per year (oz/y) of gold in doré and 73 million lb/y of zinc in concentrates, as well as separate copper and lead concentrates. Initial project capital costs are estimated at $294 million.
The feasibility study is based on proven and probable open-pit mineral reserves totaling 11.65 million metric tons (mt), grading 1.85 g/mt gold, 2.64% zinc, 21.7 g/mt silver, 0.28% copper, and 0.21% lead. The process plant design is based on a flexible metallurgical flowsheet designed for treatment of a variety of different ore types. Nominal throughput is planned at 4,000 mt per day (mt/d) of sulphide ore and 800 mt/d of oxide ore.
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