AMN - MOROCCO: Study sees Achmmach small scale start

Kasbah Resources has completed a prefeasibility study for a small start mining option at its joint venture Achmmach Tin Project in Morocco. The 2015 Definitive Feasibility Study envisaged a 1 milliion tonnes/year operation but the SSO has been designed to operate on reduced scale.

The first stage of the mine plan proposed in the new Prefeasibility Study would include mining and processing 0.5 million tonnes/year of ore, containing roughly 1.05% Sn, to produce 4700 tonnes/year of tin-in concentrate over the first 4.5 years. The second stage would see expansion of infrastructure to facilitate 0.75 million tonnes of ore at a lower grade of 0.8% Sn, for 5200 tonnes/year of tin-in-concentrate over an additional five to seven years.

However, the SSO has also resulted in numerous projected cost savings compared to the 2015 Definitive Feasibility Study. Capital expenditure has been reduced 62% to $56 million and all-in C3 costs have fallen 4.9% to $12,500/tonnes of tin-in-concentrate, despite a 3.7% in C1 cash costs to $8,625.

Kasbah managing director Wayne Bramwell says: "With the SSO Kasbah has tailored a no-frills, fit for purpose design approach clearly focussed at addressing capital expenditure. Importantly, the SSO encapsulated a lower risk mining, construction and operating scenario that could see Achmmach established during a time of lower tin prices."

The company now plans to undertake a Definitive Feasibility Study for the SSO, which will include development of a new ore reserve.

www.kasbahresources.com

News courtesy of International Mining