Pre-Feasibility Study
Pre-Feasibility Study
Pre-Feasibility Study
Submitted by:
Graham Holmes, P. Eng.
Alex Duggan, BSc., M. Sc. P. Eng.
Carlos Guzmán, Mining Eng., MAusIMM
David Coupland, BSc., CSFC, MAusIMM
John Wells, BSc, MBA, FSAIMM
Louis Nguyen, P. Eng.
th
Effective Date: January 16 , 2012
Project number: C 580
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
Graham Holmes
Jacobs
1920 Yonge Street, Suite 301 South
Toronto, Ontario M4S 3E2, Canada
Telephone: (416) 343-9204
Fax: (416) 343-9300 fax
Graham.Holmes@jacobs.com
Alex Duggan
Jacobs
1920 Yonge Street, Suite 301 South
Toronto, Ontario M4S 3E2, Canada
Telephone: (416) 343-9204
Fax: (416) 343-9300 fax
Alex.Duggan@jacobs.com
Carlos Guzmán
NCL
General del Canto 235
Providencia, Santiago, Chile
Telephone: (562) 651-0800
Fax: (562) 651-0890
cguzman@ncl.cl
Signed
Carlos Guzmán
Mining Engineer, MausIMM (229036)
Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission
Principal / Project Director, NCL Ltda.
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
Signed
David (Ted) Coupland
BSc DipGeoSc CFSG ASIA MAusIMM(CP) MMICA
Director – Geological Consulting - Principal Geostatistician
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
John Wells
Metallurgical Consultant
7445 Fleming Road
Vernon, BC, Canada, V1H 1C1
Telephone: (250) 549-7443
Fax: (250) 549-7403
jawnetc@telus.net
Signed
John Wells
BSc, MBA, FSAIMM
Metallurgical Consultant
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
AC Air Conditioning
AACE Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
ADIS Automated Digital Imaging System
ADR Adsorption, Desorption, Recovery
Ag Silver
AGP Acid Generation Potential
AIS Air Insulated Substation
Aker Aker Solutions
Anglo Anglo American Norte S.A.
ARD Acid Rock Drainage
As Arsenic
ASC Aluminium Standard
ASTER Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
Au Gold
AuEq Gold Equivalent
BFA Bench Face Angle
BLS Base Line Studies
B.O.O. Build/Own/Operate
BWi Bond Work Index
CAPEX Capital Expenditure
CCA Capital Cost Allowances
CCD Counter Current Decantation
CChM Comisión Chillena de Minería
CCRV Concentric Cylinder Rotational Viscometer
CEA Cumulative Expenditure Account
CEMA Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association
CFB Earliest Cretaceous Host Rock (Basement)
CIC Carbon in Column
Abbreviation Acronym
Abbreviation Acronym
Abbreviation Acronym
Abbreviation Acronym
Abbreviation Acronym
Abbreviation Acronym
Units of Measurement
Unit Abbreviation
American Dollar US$
Canadian Dollar CAD$
Centigrade °C
Centimetre cm
Chilean Peso CLP
3
Cubic metre m
Day d
Dead weight ton (imperial ton – long ton) Dwt
Dry metric tonne Dmt
Foot/feet Ft
Gram g
Gram/litre g/l
Gram/tonne g/t
Hectare ha
Hour H
Kilogram kg
Kilogram per tonne kg/t
Kilo tonne kt
Kilometre km
Kilopascal kPa
Kilovolt kV
Kilovolt amp kVA
Kilowatt kW
Kilowatt hour kWh
Litre L
Litre per second L/s
Megawatt MW
Mega Volt Ampere MVa
Metre m
Unit Abbreviation
Metre per hour m/h
Metre per second m/s
Metric tonne t
Metric tonne per day t/d
Metric tonne per hour t/h
Micron m
Milligram mg
Milligram per litre mg/L
Millimetre mm
Million M
Million tonnes Mt
Million tonnes per annum Mtpa
Part per million ppm
Percent %
Second s
Short ton T
Square metres m2
Tonnes per day t/d
Troy ounce oz
Wet metric tonne wmt
Work Index Wi
Year Yr
Figure 11.9: SRM Control Chart OM100 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................116
Figure 11.10: SRM Control Chart OM110 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................116
Figure 11.11: SRM Control Chart OM110 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................117
Figure 11.12: SRM Control Chart OM110 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................117
Figure 11.13: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................118
Figure 11.14: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................118
Figure 11.15: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................119
Figure 11.16: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................119
Figure 11.17: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................120
Figure 11.18: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................120
Figure 11.19: SRM Control Chart OM300(2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................121
Figure 11.20: SRM Control Chart OM300 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................121
Figure 11.21: SRM Control Chart OM300 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................122
Figure 12.1: Re-Assays of Samples >1 Au ppm...........................................................128
Figure 13.1: Gold Leach Rate Profile...........................................................................142
Figure 13.2: Oxide Material..........................................................................................144
Figure 13.3: Results Obtained From SGS....................................................................144
Figure 13.4: Cumulative Recovery...............................................................................146
Figure 14.1: Caspiche and Drill Hole Locations – Caspiche Porphyry Project
(Source: Cube Consulting, 2011) .............................................................151
Figure 14.2: Caspiche Lithological Model - Plan (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011) .......................................................................................................153
Figure 14.3: Caspiche Lithological Model – Looking North (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011).....................................................................................154
Figure 14.4: Caspiche Lithological and Alteration Model – Looking North
(Source: Cube Consulting, 2011) .............................................................155
Figure 14.5: Caspiche 8 m Composites by Stratigraphy – Log-Prob Plot – g/t
Au (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)........................................................158
Figure 14.6: Caspiche 8 m Composites by Stratigraphy – Log-Prob Plot – g/t
Ag (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)........................................................159
Figure 14.7: Caspiche 8 m Composites by Stratigraphy – Log-Prob Plot - Cu
% (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011).........................................................160
Figure 14.8: Caspiche 8 m Composites by Alteration – Log-Prob Plot – g/t Au
(Source: Cube Consulting, 2011) .............................................................161
Figure 15.15: Hybrid Option – Plots of Ultimate Pit Shell Compared to Mine
Design .....................................................................................................208
Figure 15.16: Oxide/MacNeill Pit – Plots of Ultimate Pit Shell Compared to
Mine Design.............................................................................................209
Figure 15.17: Dilution & Economic Column Calculation .................................................213
Figure 15.18: Hybrid Option – Undercut Level ...............................................................215
Figure 15.19: Full Underground Option – Undercut Levels ............................................216
Figure 16.1: Hybrid option – Underground Mine Design...............................................222
Figure 16.2: Full Underground Option – Mine Design ..................................................222
Figure 16.3: Typical Layout of the Production Level.....................................................223
Figure 16.4: Typical Layout of the Undercut Level .......................................................224
Figure 16.5: Typical Layout of the Ventilation Level .....................................................225
Figure 16.6: Typical Layout of the Haulage Level ........................................................226
Figure 16.7: Typical Layout of the Conveyor Level ......................................................227
Figure 16.8: Super Pit Option – Mine Schedule ...........................................................230
Figure 16.9: Hybrid Option – Open Pit Mine Schedule.................................................230
Figure 16.10: Hybrid Option – Open Pit and Underground Mine Contribution ................231
Figure 16.11: Full Underground Option – Mine Schedule...............................................231
Figure 16.12: Super Pit Option – Total Material by Mining Phase ..................................232
Figure 16.13: Hybrid Option – Total Material by Mining Phase – Open Pit.....................232
Figure 16.14: Super Pit Option – Benches per Year ......................................................233
Figure 16.15: Hybrid Option – Benches per Year – Open Pit .........................................233
Figure 16.16: Full Underground Option – Total Material by Mining Phase –
Heap Leach Open Pit...............................................................................234
Figure 16.17: Full Underground Option – Benches per Year – Heap Leach
Open Pit...................................................................................................234
Figure 16.18: Super Pit Option – General Layout – end of Year -1 ................................236
Figure 16.19: Super Pit Option – General Layout – end of Year 17 ...............................237
Figure 16.20: Hybrid Option – General Layout – end of Year -1.....................................238
Figure 16.21: Hybrid Option – General Layout – end of Year 9......................................238
Figure 16.22: Operating time Definition..........................................................................239
Figure 16.23: Super Pit Option – Estimated Distances ..................................................256
Figure 16.24: Hybrid Option – Estimated Distances.......................................................256
Figure 16.25: Super Pit Option – Travel Cycle Times for Each Origin-
Destination...............................................................................................257
Figure 16.26: Hybrid Option – Travel Cycle Times for Each Origin-Destination .............257
Figure 16.27: Heap Leach Stand Alone – Travel Cycle Times ......................................258
Figure 16.28: Super Pit Option – Mine Organization ......................................................267
Figure 16.29: Hybrid Option – Mine Organization ..........................................................268
Figure 16.30: Full Underground Option – Mine Organization .........................................269
Figure 16.31: Mine Cost Benchmark..............................................................................272
Figure 16.32: Mine Cost Benchmark (Unit Operations)..................................................273
Figure 16.33: Trucks and Shovel Fleet Benchmark........................................................273
Figure 16.34: Mine Movement and Hauling Distance Fleet Benchmark .........................274
Figure 16.35: Loading Capacity Benchmark ..................................................................275
Figure 16.36: Hauling Capacity Benchmark ...................................................................276
Figure 16.37: Hauling Capacity Benchmark ...................................................................276
Figure 17.1: General Process Flow Diagram ...............................................................280
1.0 SUMMARY
The Caspiche project is located in the 3 rd Region of Chile. The property is located 120 km
ESE of Copiapó in northern Chile and is situated at the southern end of the Maricunga
metallogenic belt, between the undeveloped Cerro Casale gold-copper project 12 km to the
south, and the Maricunga Gold Mine (formerly Refugio), 15 km to the north as shown in
Figure 1.1. Exeter signed a contract with Aker Solutions and other consultants, with Aker
Solutions the project author, to conduct a Pre-feasibility Study on the viability of mining the
deposit and processing ore to produce a gold and copper concentrate and precious metal
doré.
The Caspiche Gold / Copper Prefeasibility project study was completed by Aker Solutions
considering a type 1 magnitude study level, equivalent to the AACE level 4 study
recommendations. This level of study is classified to have a level of accuracy of -15/+20 %.
The study developed three options for the Caspiche deposit including both the oxide and
sulphide portions of the property.
Super Pit Option:
The total endowment of the deposits mineral reserves is 19.3 million ounces of gold, 2.1
million tonnes of copper and 41.5 million ounces of silver.
Production rate: 150,000 t/d.
As a result of the economic evaluation completed on each of the evaluated options, the
Super Pit option generates the most favourable project economics. As such it is the option
recommended to be developed to feasibility level.
1.1 Property, Access and Permits
The Caspiche property is 100 % owned by Exeter. Anglo American Norte S.A. (Anglo),
formerly Minera Anglo American Chile Limitada and its affiliate Empresa Minera Mantos
Blancos S.A. retains a 3 % Net Smelter Royalty on production from the project under the
terms of the option agreement and retains the right to repurchase the mineral properties for
the amount that Exeter has incurred on the property in the event that commercial production
has not commenced by March 31, 2026.
The property consists of nine granted exploitation concessions that encompass an area of
approximately 1,262 ha and four exploitation concessions in application which cover an
additional 980 ha.
Drilling has been permitted through the approved DIA’s (Environmental Impact Declaration)
submitted by Exeter. No additional permits are required for exploration activities at
Caspiche. Additional permits will be required for the exploitation of the Caspiche ore body.
Table 1.1: Single Open Pit Option for Mineral Resource for Caspiche (Rodrigo
Marinho, P.GEO, 18 August 2011)i1
Cut-off Volume Tonnes Au Cu Ag AuEq AuEq
Material Category (ppm) (Mm 3) (Mt) (g/t) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (Moz)
OXIDE Measured Au Eq > 0.18 23 56 0.45 0.01 1.72 0.45 0.81
OXIDE Indicated Au Eq > 0.18 21 50 0.37 0.01 1.57 0.37 0.60
OXIDE Inferred Au Eq > 0.18 4 9 0.27 0.01 1.54 0.27 0.1
SULPHIDE Measured Au Eq > 0.3 163 402 0.56 0.22 1.08 0.98 12.67
SULPHIDE Indicated Au Eq > 0.3 346 853 0.49 0.19 1.10 0.84 22.93
SULPHIDE Inferred Au Eq > 0.3 114 277 0.31 0.13 0.88 0.54 4.9
ALL Measured Combined 186 457 0.55 0.20 1.15 0.92 13.48
ALL Indicated Combined 367 903 0.48 0.18 1.12 0.81 23.53
ALL Inferred Combined 117 286 0.31 0.12 0.89 0.54 4.9
1
Resources are inclusive of reserves
A combined open pit and underground option, designated ‘Hybrid’, extracting an average of
95,000 t/d sulphide ore over a project life of 24 years. As a result of stripping and ongoing
operations there would be an additional heap leach operation treating both oxide and
leachable MacNeill material, which will operate for the first 9 years operation, processing a
maximum of 72,000 t/d.
An underground option, designated ‘Full Underground’, extracting an average of 90,000 t/d
sulphide ore for 22 years from year 9 of the project. A stand alone heap leach operation
would also operate for approximately the first 9 years operation, processing a maximum of
72,000 t/d heap leach ore.
Oxide and leachable MacNeill production was largely the same for each of the sulphide
options considered in the study.
To determine the in-pit mineral resources of the Caspiche project, the mineral resources
were valued by assuming that the oxide and leachable MacNeill resource would be
processed via a heap leach operation to produce gold and silver doré metal and that the
sulphide resource would be processed in a flotation/concentrator plant.
The mining proven and probable reserves used in the calculation of the mine production
plan and therefore the overall project economics contain only Measured and Indicated
Resources.
The Super Pit and Hybrid open pit operations consider 15 m benches, a mobile equipment
fleet of electric rope shovels, diesel powered trucks, drills and auxiliary equipment. Gyratory
crushers, conveyors and mobile spreaders would be used to crush, convey and place the
waste.
Resources are inclusive of reserves.
Total proven and probable reserves and contained metal for all three options are
summarized in Table 1.2 to Table 1.4
Table 1.2: Proven and Probable Reserves & Contained Metal: Super Pit (Carlos
Guzman, CChM, October 2011)ii
Super Pit
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Option Mt Au g/t Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Au oz Cu t Ag oz
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 321 0,62 0,26 1,10 7,3 0,8 14,8
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 74 0,51 0,07 1,08 568 0,55 0,23 1,15 11,9 1,3 26,6
Total 124 0,38 1,62 78 0,51 0,07 1,05 889 0,58 0,24 1,13 19,3 2,1 41,5
Table 1.3: Proven and Probable Reserves & Contained Metal: Hybrid (Carlos
Guzman, CChM, October 2011)iii
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 273 0,65 0,27 1,13 6,6 0,7 13,4
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 65 0,51 0,07 1,07 387 0,62 0,25 1,21 9,4 1,0 20,4
Total 124 0,38 1,62 70 0,50 0,07 1,05 660 0,63 0,26 1,18 16,0 1,7 33,8
Table 1.4: Proven and Probable Reserves & Contained Metal: Full Underground
(Carlos Guzman, CChM, October 2011)iv
Full Underground
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Proven 57 0,43 1,69 7 0,47 0,11 0,82 158 0,72 0,31 1,22 4,5 0,5 9,5
Probable 55 0,34 1,44 67 0,56 0,11 1,16 243 0,67 0,29 1,30 7,0 0,7 15,1
Total 112 0,39 1,57 74 0,55 0,11 1,12 400 0,69 0,30 1,27 11,6 1,2 24,6
The mine schedules for all three options are summarized in Table 1.5.
As a result of the economic evaluation completed on each of the evaluated options (see item
22.2) the Super Pit option generates the most favourable project economics. As such it is
the option recommended to be developed to feasibility level and relevant mining parameters
pertaining to this option are illustrated in Table 1.6.
Heap leach Y6 -
LOM Heap leach Y 1 – 5 Open Pit Feed
10
yr kt/d kt/d
kt/d
19 72 33 150
Mine Schedule
Max. Open Pit Avg. Open Pit
Mvment. Mvment.
kt/d kt/d
909 655
2
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
G&T Metallurgical Services Ltd (G&T) based in Kamloops, Canada completed modal
analyses that provided liberation characteristics supporting the actual flotation results. Both
G&T and SGS Lakefield test work shows the copper minerals to be reasonably well liberated
at the primary grind size and very well liberated in the concentrate.
On the basis of the SGS’s testwork and pilot plant operation the following considerations
were reviewed for process design criteria and flow sheet development:
A primary grinding P80 of 130 µm
Rougher flotation at pH 10.5 and with a reagent suite as used by SGS (PAX, PEX,
AP208, MIBC)
Concentrate regrind P80 of 30 µm
Three stages of cleaning at pH 11 to 11.5
Rougher flotation tailings would form the plant final tailings
First cleaner tailings to feed a scavenger circuit, specifically to recover gold into a pyrite
rich concentrate
Downstream treatment of this pyrite concentrate to be cyanide leached.
The best copper recovery from the pilot plant testwork was 78.6 %, with 51.7 % gold
recovery and 21.8 % copper grade in the concentrate, achieved with 43.4 g/t total collector.
The best copper grade in the concentrate was 25.9 % with a 64.6 % copper recovery and 38
% gold recovery, achieved with 44.6 g/t total collector.
There are two relevant conclusions from the test information:
1. It is possible to obtain a copper recovery over 80 % and a gold recovery close to 60 %,
based fundamentally on the LCT tests results.
2. It is possible to obtain a commercial grade, possibly close to 25 % copper in the final
concentrate.
Flotation recoveries used in this study are calculated using a formula based on the final
tailings grade derived from this testwork.
1.4.2 Oxides
A detailed heap leach cyanidation testing program was undertaken on a total of eleven drill
core composites. Ten of the eleven composites were identified as being oxide mineralized
type composites and one as being a transitional type composite.
Column leach tests were conducted on eight of the 11 composites at a nominal -50 mm feed
size, and at 80 % -25 mm and -12.5 mm feed sizes, to determine gold recovery, recovery
rate, reagent requirements and feed size sensitivity under simulated heap leaching
conditions. A comparative bottle roll test was conducted on each composite at an 80 % -1.7
mm feed size. Conminution testing was also conducted on the selected composites.
Selected column leach residues were also subjected to geotechnical load/permeability
testing.
A total of seven of the ten oxide type composites were evaluated at -50 mm, -25 mm and -
12.5 mm feed sizes obtaining gold recoveries of 79.3 %, 80.4 % and 81.7 %, respectively.
The ROM particle size distribution was determined by SGS in Santiago from a composite
bulk sample. The oxide ROM distribution results indicate a very fine material compared with
other projects or operations (F80=71 mm) and Aker recommends that this test is repeated to
confirm representability during further project development.
1.5 Process
1.5.1 Sulphide Ore
The concentrator plant design used both the metallurgical test results obtained for expected
recoveries and also physical characterization testwork which defined ore hardness and
abrasivity amongst other characteristics.
The sulphide material is treated through a conventional SAG concentrator plant at
throughputs ranging from 90,000 t/d to 150,000 t/d. Due to mineral characteristics the
Caspiche process route incorporates a number of considerations to maximize production or
ensure a saleable product, these include:
Treatment of the copper concentrates by partial atmosphere roasting to eliminate arsenic
Leaching of the cleaner flotation tails to recover additional gold
Use of a SART plant to recover copper contained in the gold rich leachate and recycle
cyanide.
The preferred option, the Super Pit, processes 150,000 t/d sulphide ore.
Figure 1.2 illustrates the concentrator process block diagram.
Scavenger
Treatment
Scorodite
ADR FeAsO4*2H2O
Precipitation
SART
Doré
transfer pump. Loaded carbon is then transferred to the elution circuit and barren solution is
returned to the barren solution pond for pad irrigation.
The loaded carbon is acid washed and desorbed. Both unit operations will be performed in
the same stainless steel column. The acid wash solution is neutralized and pumped to the
barren solution tank. Gold is then dissolved from the loaded carbon using a strong caustic
cyanide solution.
The gold bearing electrolyte is recirculated through an electrowinning circuit where the gold
is either deposited on the electrowinning cell cathode or settles in the electrowinning cell as
sludge. The gold is washed from the cathodes periodically and it and the gold bearing
sludge in the bottom of the electrowinning cell is filtered and then smelted, producing bullion
doré bars.
The stripped carbon is reactivated in a rotary kiln every four cycles and returned to the
adsorption columns with additional fresh carbon make up as required.
1.5.3 MacNeill Ore
The MacNeill ore is processed through the same heap leach and ADR circuit as the oxide
but has the following changes to the circuit to that of the oxide process route.
The MacNeill ore is crushed through the same crushing circuit but at a throughput of 12 Mt
per annum due to greater rock competency. Primary and secondary crushers would be
upgraded to process the MacNeill ore.
Irrigation rates are as per the oxide circuit but leach cycle time is 30 days only. After this
time no further gold is recovered but copper would be leached which would result in
excessive cyanide consumption. The lifts are considered as 7.5 m and between each lift an
interlift liner and associated drainage piping would be installed. Benches would be 30 m
high.
The pregnant solution would be pumped to the ADR plant as per the oxide process but with
the addition of a SART plant in the pregnant solution line prior to the ADR circuit and close
to the heap leach barren solution pond. The SART plant would recover any copper in
solution and recycle cyanide which would be reused in the heap leach operation.
1.6 Project Operating and Capital Costs
1.6.1 Capex Estimate
The capital cost estimate for all options was as per Aker Solutions Type 1 Magnitude
estimate with an accuracy of -15 / + 20 % with a 90 % probability of occurrence. This Type 1
estimate is equivalent to the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE)
Class 4 estimate. The capital cost estimate for all three (3) options summarized by area is
presented in Table 1.7:
The major Opex considerations for the 3 options evaluated were defined within the battery
limits of the project.
Direct labour and supervision labour will work 12-hour shifts, 2 shifts per day, on a 4-days-
on/4-days-off shift rotation with the exception of management and maintenance labour, who
will work day-shift only. All direct labour and supervisors will rotate between day and night
shifts.
The process plant labour estimate considers a modern structure for maintenance personnel,
where heavy maintenance will be completed by specialist companies and minor maintenance
will be completed by owner personnel.
Maintenance costs for equipment have been estimated as 7 % of the direct cost of
equipment, except for the pumping cost where 60 % of the energy cost for slurry pumps and
40 % for water/solution pumps was used.
The energy consumption estimation was made on the basis of equipment useage.
Considered electrical energy cost is 117 USD$/MW, this value considers energy supplied
from the Cardones substation.
Project overhead has been estimated as 7 % of the total value. This value considers
administrative costs of the process plant, laboratories and warehouse. It also includes
contracts for services such as office and industrial cleaning and others that may be required.
The operating cost estimate includes “operational contingency” which has been estimated as
5 % of the total cost.
1.6.2.3 Operating Cost Summary
Average operating costs for each option are summarized in Table 1.8:
Table 1.8: Average operating costs ($/t ore processed) life of mine
COST
AREA UNIT
Super Pit Hybrid Full U'G
TOTAL SULPHIDES COST US$/t ore 10.4 9.9 10.2
Based on the metal prices used in the economic evaluation, see 1.6.3 below, the average
operations cost per ounce gold equivalent is US$ 606 over life of mine. When the revenue
for the copper and silver by-product credits is considered the cost per ounce gold produced
is US$ 18.
1.6.3 Production and Revenue
Total payable metal production for each alternative is summarized in Table 1.9:
The revenue associated with the payable metals production is presented in Table 1.10. The
revenue was calculated with following metal prices:
Au 1,430 US$/oz Years 1 – 43
1,200 US$/oz remaining LoM
Cu 2.75 US$/lb LoM
Ag 31.2 US$/oz Years 1 - 4
22.5 US$/oz remaining LoM
The gold and silver prices used were calculated from 12 month LME average Sept. 2010 –
Aug. 2011. Copper price used was as per that recommended by Selmar an independent
metals market analytical company contracted by Exeter to complete product market studies.
REVENUE (MUS$)
3
Yrs 1- 4 Au prices are from heap leach. As such in the case of the Super Pit and Hybrid option these metal
prices are used for the first 4 years of heap leach production and the first 2 years of concentrator production. In
the case of the Full Underground option these metals prices are used for heap leach production only.
The economic analysis indicated that the Super Pit option is that which provides the best
return under the considerations used in this type 1 study. However all option indicators have
been included in the report to allow comparison of each in a logical manner. Sensitivity
analyses for NPV5 considering metals recoveries and prices, variations in the CAPEX and
OPEX was completed. This sensitivity analysis is summarized in the Figure 1.3 to Figure
1.5.
4000
3500
3000
2500
NPV (MUS$)
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
Delta
3,500
3,000
2,500
NPV (MUS$)
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
Delta
900
800
700
600
NPV (MUS$)
500
400
300
200
100
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
-100
Delta
The Super Pit option provides the most favourable economic return followed by the
Hybrid and then the Full Underground.
Payback period is shortest for the Super Pit case due to economies of scale due to higher
tonnage rate and the lower cost for the heap leach process.
The Super Pit option also maximises resource exploitation of the Caspiche ore body.
The Full underground case is prejudiced against due to long development time. This is
somewhat mitigated by early cash flow from the stand alone heap leach operation during
underground mine development.
The sensitivity analyses indicate:
Super Pit sensitivity analysis indicates that it is most sensitive to gold recovery ahead of
operating costs and then copper recovery.
Metals fluctuation impact is expected. Opex sensitivity is largely due to the high
volume of waste material to be moved which increases sensitivity impacts.
Hybrid Option sensitivity analysis indicates that it is most sensitive to gold price followed
by Opex and then Capex.
Capex impact is due to the long lead time to develop the underground mine
operation and the smaller benefits associated with the EPCC system.
Full Underground sensitivity analysis indicates the greatest impact in gold price followed
by Capex and Opex. Capex impact is greater due to long underground development time.
The sensitivity analysis shows maximum variation of NPV5 for Super Pit is MUS$ 1,841
and for Hybrid is MUS$ 1,382. The difference for Super Pit is higher because it has a
shorter mine life than the Hybrid and at the same time processes more ore.
1.7 Project Opportunities and Risks
The project has a number of opportunities and risks; selected relevant items are as follows:
1.7.1 Risks
The 3rd Region has significant mining development, this will put a strain on natural and
human resources availability in the area
Project development critical path runs through the permitting process, baseline studies
and water supply evaluation need to be comprehensive to ensure permitting approval
schedule is kept to minimum
Increased corporate taxation will affect the project return and NPV
Long term waste dump acid rock generation modelling is not yet fully understood and
may impact closure plans for the project
Calcination of concentrate as part of arsenic removal may require community awareness
management.
1.7.2 Opportunities
The project has considerable exploration potential both within the existing Caspiche
concessions and those others adjoining Caspiche and owned by Exeter. There is
resource potential in Caspiche Epithermals
The project is close to existing infrastructure and will benefit from further new and
emerging infrastructure such as power generation, port facilities and power transmission
and distribution
Recent metallurgical and material characterization testwork has indicated potential to
economically process lower grade material and use optimised process routes such as
HPGR which may extend resource and reduce Capex and Opex.
As a number of other projects are being developed in the area there exists the potential
to share infrastructure costs between operators.
Chile is an attractive investment jurisdiction.
1.8 Conclusions
No fatal flaws were identified during the course of the Caspiche Project study. The
recommendations are largely based on normal metallurgical and other development
testwork which would be part of project development
The financial analysis indicated that all alternatives for the project had a net positive
cash flow and an acceptable internal rate of return and could support the progression to
mine development
At the metals prices used at as per the economic evaluation completed in item 22.2, the
Super Pit option is the most attractive alternative, the use of in pit crushing and
conveying systems for the waste provide further upside benefits to the Super Pit option
in comparison to the other options studied.
Opex and Capex used for the project represents those expected for a project of this type
exhibiting average characteristics of ore abrasiveness and hardness; grades and rock
type characterizations as indicated in the geological section. Operating costs were
generated from first principles and bench marked against other operations and capital
costs were based on receipt of approximately 40 % of equipment costs, database
information and were also benchmarked against similar operations
The mine plan is appropriate to the mineralization and adequately reflects the deposit
type, dimensions and host rock characterization
To advance the project to construction Exeter will require an approved environmental
impact study, additional baseline studies required to support the impact study should be
initiated as soon as possible
Additional geotechnical and hydrological studies are required particularly to model
surface water flows into the Vegas or seasonal creeks
Mining relevant conclusions are listed as follow:
The conclusion of the pit optimization stage suggested design a series of practical
phases and final pit for each option. The ultimate pit has been divided into 10 phases in
the Super Pit option and 5 phases in the Hybrid option, based on optimized nested pit
shell guidance, copper grade, gold grade, stripping ratio and the ability to access the pit.
In general, the contained resources in the pit design are composed of three ore types:
oxide, low copper sulphide material named MacNeill and sulphide ore. For the Super Pit
and Hybrid options, the contained oxide resource is similar: 130 Mt of ore with average
gold and silver head grades of 0.36 g/t and 1.59 g/t, respectively. MacNeill ore is slightly
different totalling 84 Mt of ore with average gold and silver head grades of 0.50 g/t and
1.05 g/t, respectively for the Super Pit the Hybrid option contains 74 Mt of ore with
average gold and silver head grades of 0.49 g/t and 1.04 g/t, respectively.
The Super Pit option contains 893 Mt of sulphide ore with average gold, copper and
silver head grades of 0.58 g/t, 0.24% and 1.13 g/t, respectively. The Hybrid option pit
contains 660 Mt of sulphide ore with average gold, copper and silver head grade of 0.63
g/t, 0.26% and 1.18 g/t, respectively.
1.9 Recommendations
The project recommendations are detailed in section 26, however a summary of the main
points indicates that all project options considered return positive cash flow and net positive
value. However due to the greater degree of development required of the Full underground
option the following are recommended
When all additional metallurgical and other Testwork has been completed a trade off
evaluation should confirm that the considerations used in selecting the Super Pit option
as the preferred option are still valid and that it is the option to develop to feasibility study
(FS) level
Further options considering transport to port and concentrate treatment to remove
arsenic should be evaluated in trade off studies prior to initiating detailed feasibility
studies
Additional metallurgical studies regarding material characterization and metals recovery
should be completed which may provide further input into process plant design and
optimization
Mine fleet optimization studies and mine scheduling can be further developed in order to
improve mine scheduling and also plant and equipment matching.
Development of hydrogeological model should be advanced. Whilst on the surface the
project area is dry there exists the potential of disrupting the flow of water into the vegas
(or shallow wetlands) used by the local nomadic community either by operations or
installation of infrastructure.
Further geotechnical modelling in areas of high rotational force equipment such as mills
and crushers and high load areas such as tailings dams and waste dumps should be
initiated
ii i
The following formula was used to calculate AuEq values in each block of the model,
where Au and Cu are the block kriged Au and Cu grades, PAu and PCu are the Au and Cu
prices (1,150 US$/oz and 2.50 US$/lb, respectively), and RAu and RCu are the Au and Cu
projected metallurgical recoveries, 65 % and 85 % respectively for sulphide material, and 78
% for Au and 11 % for Cu in the oxide zone
PCu $ / lb RCu %
AuEq g / t Au g / t Cu % 0.06857 g lb / oz 10,000
PAu $ / oz R Au %
ii
Super Pit Reserves Notes:
1. Mineral Reserves are defined within a mine plan with pit phase designs guided by Lerchs-
Grossman (LG) pit. The LG shell generation was performed on Measured and Indicated materials
only, using a gold price of 1,150 US$/oz, a silver price of 20 US$/oz and a copper price of 2.5
US$/lb, a base mining cost of 1.00 US$/t with incremental of 0.025 US$/t per 15 m bench below the
pit exit and 0.015 US$/t per 15 m bench above the pit exit. Processing and treatment costs used
were 3.40 US$/t of ore and 6 US$/oz of gold and 0.4 US$/oz of silver for oxides, 5.31 US$/t and 6
US$/oz of gold and 0.4 US$/oz of silver for MacNeill and 7.04 US$/t and 6 US$/oz of gold and 0.4
US$/oz of silver for sulphides. Royalties of 3.08 % and 5 % were also applied. Metallurgical
recoveries for oxides were 78 % for gold and 34 % for silver. Metallurgical recoveries for MacNeill
were 55 % for gold in the upper layers and 30 % in the lower layers and 20 % for silver. Silver
metallurgical recovery for sulphides was 50 %. Copper and gold metallurgical recovery for
sulphides was a function of the head grade, defined as:
% Cu Head Grade Copper Recovery Gold Recovery
0.0% to 0.05% 0 0
0.05% to 0.10% 38% 30%
0.10% to 0.15% 68% 45%
0.15% to 0.20% 81% 58%
0.20% to 0.25% 87% 65%
0.25% to 0.30% 89% 69%
>0.30% >90% to 93% max 72%
iii
Open Pit Reserves Notes:
1. Mineral Reserves for the open pit are defined within a mine plan with pit phase designs guided by
Lerchs-Grossman (LG) pit. The LG shell generation was performed on Measured and Indicated
materials only, using a gold price of 1,150 US$/oz, a silver price of 20 US$/oz and a copper price of
2.5 US$/oz, a base mining cost of 1.00 US$/t with incremental of 0.025 US$/t per 15 m bench
below the pit exit and 0.015 US$/t per 15 m bench above the pit exit. Processing and treatment
costs used were 3.40 US$/t of ore and 6 US$/oz of gold and 0.4 US$/oz of silver for oxides, 5.31
US$/t and 6 US$/oz of gold and 0.4 US$/oz of silver for MacNeill and 7.04 US$/t and 6 US$/oz of
gold and 0.4 US$/oz of silver for sulphides. Royalties of 3.08 % and 5 % were also applied.
Metallurgical recoveries for oxides were 78% for gold and 34 % for silver. Metallurgical recoveries
for MacNeill were 55 % for gold in the upper layers and 30 % in the lower layers and 20 % for silver.
Silver metallurgical recovery for sulphides was 50 %. Copper and gold metallurgical recovery for
sulphides was a function of the head grade, defined as:
2.0 Introduction
The Caspiche project is located in the 3rd Region of Chile and is wholly owned by Exeter
Resource Corporation (Exeter). The property is located 120 km ESE of Copiapó and is
situated at the southern end of the Maricunga metallogenic belt, between the undeveloped
Cerro Casale gold copper project 12 km to the south, and the Maricunga Gold Mine, 15 km
to the north. The project location is shown is shown in Figure 2.1
The geographic centre of the property is located at approximately 27° 41’ south latitude and
69° 18’ west longitude. The UTM (Zone 19J) coordinates using datum PSAD56 are
471,000 m east and 6,937,000 m north. Known mineralization on the Caspiche property is
located in two areas: Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche Epithermals (see Figure 4.2).
Caspiche Porphyry has been referred to as Caspiche Central in previous technical reports.
The Caspiche Epithermals has been referred to as Caspiche III in previous technical reports.
The Caspiche concessions are shown with gray background and Exeter concessions are
outlined in black. Those concessions outlined in red pertain to the option agreement Exeter
entered into with Xstrata in March 2011 where Exeter may acquire up to 100 % of these
properties following completion of set work programs over a 4 yr period. All concessions
shown in Figure 4.2 represent those where Exeter has the earliest dated concession and
can exercise exclusive exploration and exploitation rights over the shown areas.
Figure 4.3 shows additional Exeter concessions (or portions thereof) which overlap third
party concessions. These are covered by a hatched pattern.
4.2 Mineral Tenure and Agreements
Chile is a country with a stable mining industry with mature mining laws. There are two types
of mining concessions in Chile, exploration concessions and exploitation concessions.
With exploration concessions, the titleholder has the right to carry out all types of exploration
activities within the area of the concession. Exploration concessions can overlap, but only
the titleholder with the earliest dated exploration concession over the area as indicated by
their identification (ROL) number, can exercise these rights. For each exploration
concession, the titleholder must pay an annual fee per hectare to the Chilean Treasury.
Exploration concessions have duration of two years. At the end of this period, the
concession may be renewed for 2 more years, in which case at least 50 % of the surface
area must be renounced; or converted, in total or in part, into exploitation concessions.
With exploitation concessions, the titleholder has the right to explore and exploit the
minerals located within the concession area and to take ownership of the extracted minerals.
Exploitation concessions can overlap, but only the titleholder with the earliest dated
exploitation concession over the area can exercise these rights.
The titleholder must pay an annual fee to the Chilean Treasury of approximately
5.80 USD/ha. Exploitation concessions are of indefinite duration, and therefore do not
expire.
Concession owners do not necessarily have surface rights to the underlying land; however,
they do have the right to explore or exploit the concession.
4.2.1 Mineral Rights
The Caspiche property is 100 % owned by Exeter Resource Corporation. Anglo American
Norte S.A. (Anglo), formerly Minera Anglo American Chile Limitada and its affiliate Empresa
Minera Mantos Blancos S.A. (EMABLOS) retains a 3 % Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) on
production from the project under the terms of the option agreement and retains the right to
repurchase the mineral properties for the amount that Exeter has incurred on the property in
the event that commercial production has not commenced by March 31, 2026.
Figure 4.2: Property Map Showing All Exploration and Exploitation Concessions in the Caspiche Area Controlled by
Exeter and the Position of Known Mineralization (Source: Exeter, 2011)
Figure 4.3: Exeter Property Map Showing All Exeter Exploration and Exploitation Concessions in the Caspiche Area
(Source: Exeter, 2011)
At the effective time of this report, the Caspiche property consists of nine granted mining
exploitation concessions totalling 1,262 ha and four exploitation concessions in application
covering an additional 980 ha (Figure 4.2). The granted mining exploitation concessions
derived from the Anglo and EMABLOS option agreement are listed in Table 4.1 and those
under application are listed in Table 4.2.
The Troya property to the north of Caspiche (Troya 1/12, 120 ha) was also included as part
of this agreement (Figure 4.2).
TOTAL 1,262
The Caspiche exploitation concessions do not have expiration dates, and are in good
standing as of the effective date of this report. Exeter paid the annual license fee for the
Caspiche concessions for the period 2011 to 2012 and Exeter expects to make all payments
required to maintain the properties in good standing in the future. No encumbrances are
registered on the concessions and they are subject only to an additional 0.08 % royalty to a
third party Chilean company.
At the effective date of this report Exeter had been granted 39 mining exploration
concessions over the original concessions, vacant ground and those of third parties, totalling
10,300 ha. These concessions are valid under Chilean law, but are considered junior to the
Caspiche and third party concessions where they overlap. The concessions that overlap the
Caspiche concessions were established by Exeter as a safeguard only. The Panorama and
Bonanza series of concessions were established to allow for various infrastructure location
scenarios. All granted mining exploration concessions are free of encumbrances and they
are not affected by the payment of royalties or other obligations in favour of third parties.
The granted Exeter mining exploration concessions are shown in Figure 4.3 and listed in
Table 4.3.
On March 4, 2011, Exeter entered into an option agreement with Xstrata Norte
Exploraciones for their VIN properties located immediately east of the Exeter Caspiche
licenses. The properties cover 2,690 ha with mineral rights over 1,793 ha and are shown in
Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3. The agreement with Xstrata provides for Exeter to acquire 100 %
of the VIN properties by meeting escalating annual drilling requirements, to a total of 15,000
m, within 4 years. After the 15,000 m of drilling is completed, Xstrata has a once only back in
right to acquire a 60 % interest in the property, provided the discovery of a deposit of greater
than 100 Mt at >0.5 % copper has been made. Should Xstrata elect to back in, it must pay
Exeter three times its expenditure on the property. In the event that Xstrata does not
exercise its back in right, its interest will revert to a 2 % NSR. Exeter has the right to
purchase 50 % of the NSR for USD 10 million.
The VIN exploitation concessions do not have expiration dates, and are in good standing as
of the effective date of this report. Exeter will make all payments required to maintain the
properties in good standing in 2011-2012. No encumbrances are registered on the
concessions and they are subject only to the agreement with Xstrata detailed above.
The Xstrata concessions subject to the 100 % option agreement with Exeter are listed in
Table 4.4.
Table 4.4: Xstrata Concessions Subject to the 100% Option Agreement with Exeter
Concession Name ROL Hectares Claim Order Concession Type
VIN UNO 1 AL 20 N/I 200 EXETER Exploitation
VIN DOS 1 AL 14 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN TRES 1 AL 14 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN CUATRO 1 AL 14 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN CINCO 1 AL 60 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN SEIS 1 AL 60 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN SIETE 1 AL 60 N/I 300 EXETER Exploitation
VIN DOS 1 AL 46 03203-5685-7 230 EXETER Exploitation
VIN TRES 1 AL 46 03203-5686-5 230 EXETER Exploitation
VIN CUATRO 1 AL 46 03203-5687-3 230 EXETER Exploitation
Figure 4.2 shows those Exeter concessions (including the Caspiche concessions and those
held under the option agreement with Xstrata) in which Exeter holds the earliest dated
concessions and controls exclusive rights to the mineral rights.
Table 4.5 shows all exploration and exploitation concessions applied for and / or controlled
by Exeter.
Table 4.5: Summary of Ground Covered by Exeter Mineral Properties and Details
of Exeter Concessions which Overlap Caspiche and Third Party Concessions
4
Priority in this instance means that the Exeter properties have the earliest dated ROL number in the area and
thus retain the exclusive right over the respective granted exploration and exploitation tenements in this area.
Table 4.6: Minimum Expenditures and Drilling Requirements under Exeter’s ORA
with Anglo
Year Minimum Expenditure (USD) Drilling Requirements
According to the purchase agreement, Anglo holds a royalty equal to a 3 % net smelter
return from the commencement of the commercial production of the Caspiche Project.
USD 250,000 is payable annually for the first 10 years to March 2021 and then USD 1
million per year through March 2026. These payments terminate upon the commencement
of commercial production at Caspiche. The NSR is not payable in months when the gold
price is below 325 USD/oz. If 15 years after having exercised its option Exeter has not
commenced production from the property, Anglo has a right to buy it back by paying the
incurred historical expenditures.
Exeter has paid the annual license fees for all additional concessions for the period 2010 to
2011.
Exeter relied on the opinion of Mr. Pablo Mir of Bofill Mir Abogados regarding the validity of
the option agreement and the title of the optioned lands (Mir, 2011).
The property has been legally surveyed.
4.3 Operational Permits and Jurisdictions
4.3.1 Environmental Permits
On March 6, 2009 Exeter’s DIA (Environmental Impact Declaration) was approved allowing
the company to undertake future exploration activities. All drilling activities at Caspiche have
been permitted through the approved DIA. No additional permits are required for exploration
activities at Caspiche. Additional permits will be required for the exploitation of the Caspiche
orebody. There are no further environmental liabilities known for the project at this time.
4.3.2 Surface and Land Rights
In accordance with that set forth in the Chilean Mining Code any titleholder of a mining
concession, whether for exploration or exploitation, shall have the right to establish an
occupation easement over the surface land as required for the comfortable exploration or
exploitation of its concession. In the event that the surface property owner is not agreeable
to grant the easement voluntarily, the titleholder of the mining concession may request said
easement before the Courts of Justice who shall grant it upon determination of the
compensation for losses as deemed fit.
On March 15, 2011, Exeter’s local subsidiary Minera Eton Chile S.A (“Eton”) was granted an
occupation easement over an area of 1.77 hectares where the project camp is located. The
duration of this easement is three years which may be extended only once for three more
years. According to this contract, Exeter must pay a mutually agreed amount every three
months.
On June 16, 2011, the Ministry of Public Land (Bienes Nacionales) granted Exeter a lease
over an area of 1,313.24 hectares in the area of the Caspiche project. The duration of the
initial contract is five years from May 3, 2011 and is renewable thereafter. An annual rental
payment is to be paid quarterly by Exeter.
4.3.3 Water Use Rights
Exeter’s Chilean subsidiary requested three permits for the exploration of underground
water, covering a total area of 69,125 ha. One of these exploration permits covering 10,726
ha was granted by the relevant government authorities on September 13, 2011 while
applications for the two other permits were being processed at the effective date of this
report.
On February 4, 2011, Exeter entered an exclusive option agreement with a private company
to purchase surface use water rights for an amount of 300 litres per second, located
approximately 150 km to the north of the project. According to the Water Option agreement,
Exeter must pay option payments every six months. Exeter has made two of these
payments at the time of this report. Exeter can purchase the water rights upon exercising the
Water Option agreement.
Exeter will follow this procedure during construction and operation of Caspiche. Average
travel time from Copiapó to the Maricunga region by bus is 3 to 4 hours.
includes guanaco, vicuña, foxes, rabbits, ground squirrels, hawks, condors and small
reptiles.
Figure 5.2: Photograph of Caspiche Property Looking East (Source: Exeter, 2011)
Figure 5.3: Photograph of Caspiche Property Looking West (Source: Exeter, 2011)
6.0 HISTORY
The following project history was modified from Van Kerkvoort et al. (2008).
The southwest part of the property, which includes Caspiche Porphyry, was staked in 1986
by Anglo as part of a generative exploration program covering the entire Maricunga
metallogenic belt. Newcrest held the project through an option agreement with Anglo from
1996 to 1998, during which time they discovered the Caspiche Epithermals mineralization
and staked an additional 2,561 ha to cover it. Newcrest decided to abandon exploration in
South America in 1998, and the ground held by Newcrest lapsed and became open. Anglo
subsequently staked portions of this ground to form the current Caspiche property position.
Anglo was the first to explore the Caspiche area. Between 1986 and 1990, Anglo conducted
three field campaigns on the property. The first campaign consisted of rock-chip and grid-
soil geochemical surveys, where a total of 842 rock-chip samples and 431 soil samples were
collected. These surveys identified a 650 m by 300 m zone of the Caspiche Porphyry area
that was strongly anomalous at surface in gold, silver, copper, and arsenic. Eighty rock
samples returned values greater than 1 g/t gold, with a high value of 5.45 g/t gold.
During the 1988 field season, Anglo drilled 568 m in 12 shallow air rotary holes in the
Caspiche Porphyry sector. These drill holes targeted near-surface gold mineralization
identified in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks, and delineated by geochemical surveys.
Drilling from this campaign intersected significant widths of mineralization in several holes,
including 32 m grading 1.10 g/t gold in SHC-4 and 48 m grading 1.03 g/t gold in SHC-5.
During the 1990 season, Anglo drilled 950 m in six reverse circulation (RC) holes, exploring
the Caspiche Porphyry gold system to greater depths. Results from this program yielded
narrow intersections of gold mineralization, including 10 m grading 1.09 g/t gold in SPC-02
and 34 m grading 0.63 g/t gold in SPC-05.
During the first field season of the option in 1996-997, Newcrest conducted geological
mapping; rock geochemical surveys; aeromagnetic and IP / resistivity geophysical surveys;
and drilled 3,298 m in 14 RC drill holes. Twelve holes were drilled at Caspiche Porphyry to
follow-up disseminated mineralization discovered by Anglo, and testing of targets defined by
the geochemical and geophysical surveys. Two holes were drilled in the Caspiche
Epithermals area, targeting epithermal-style mineralization indicated by anomalous gold and
mercury surface geochemistry.
During the 1997-1998 field season, Newcrest conducted soil geochemical surveys,
geological investigations and drilled 4,123 m in 22 RC drill holes at the Caspiche Porphyry
and Caspiche Epithermals prospect areas. Porphyry-style gold-copper mineralization was
encountered in several of the drill holes at Caspiche Porphyry.
Exeter optioned the property in October 2005. No significant exploration work was reportedly
conducted on the property from the end of the Newcrest drill campaign until Exeter began
work.
In 2006 and 2007, Exeter compiled historic exploration data into a geographic information
system (GIS), reprocessed existing geophysical data, completed geological mapping of the
property area, collected rock-chip samples and conducted controlled source audio-
frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), pole-dipole induced polarization (PDIP), and natural
source magnetotellurics geophysical surveys. In 2008 and 2009, Exeter completed property-
scale geological mapping, a PIMATM (field portable, infrared spectrometer useful for mineral
identification) study of drill core samples, a soil orientation survey over the Caspiche
Porphyry area, a reinterpretation of the regional geophysical data and age dating work.
From 2006 through September 2011, Exeter completed over 66,000 m of drilling in 99 drill
holes, mostly as deep diamond drill holes in the Caspiche Porphyry area. Other work
conducted during this period included geological mapping of the surface of the property,
geochemical and geophysical surveying to help guide exploration for additional intrusive
centres, geotechnical logging and geomechanical testing of a significant number of oriented
drill cores and metallurgical testwork to determine expected metallurgical recoveries and
guide process design.
Figure 7.1: Metallogenic Belts of Northern Chile and Argentina (Source: Vila and
Sillitoe, 1991)
Figure 7.2: Regional Geology of the Maricunga Metallogenic Belt (Source: Vila and
Sillitoe, 1991)
Figure 7.3: Bedrock Geology of the Caspiche Property (Source: Exeter, 2011)
Figure 7.4: Gold Grade Histogram in Red, Copper Grade Histogram in Purple
(Source: Exeter, 2011)
Drilling during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 campaigns led to an improved understanding
of the alteration model at Caspiche Porphyry. The extent of late-stage advanced argillic
alteration was confirmed, and the distribution of potassic alteration in the lower levels of the
system was established. Supergene oxidation occurs dominantly as a flat lying blanket
deepest in the central parts of the system. Vuggy quartz ledges intersected in the northern,
eastern and southern part of Caspiche Porphyry are oxidized to depths of 150 to 200 m.
Infill drilling during the 2010-2011 campaign has confirmed the veracity of the previously
proposed Caspiche alteration and geological model and has provided an improved context
for peripheral exploration. Interpretation of drill core (by Exeter geologists and consultants),
together with recent geological modelling and resource estimation has highlighted the
following significant findings:
The host rocks at depth surrounding the porphyritic intrusive rocks are flat lying, at least
700 m thick, and contain sedimentary breccia, andesitic volcanic rocks, and abundant
sandstone and siltstone.
The andesitic volcanic breccia is an important host to mineralization in the shallow parts
of the Caspiche Porphyry deposit and is widely distributed in the immediate Caspiche
area.
Modelling of the porphyritic intrusives shows them to be a sigmoidal, Z-shaped body in
which the early diorite porphyry phase is surrounded by a discontinuous shell of inter-
mineral quartz diorite porphyry.
The propylitic halo to the Caspiche Porphyry system has been intersected to the
southwest about 600 m from the porphyry intrusive contact. Further definition of this halo
at depth, below the overprinted advanced argillic zone, should effectively delimit the
system.
A potassic-calcic zone, defined by the presence of actinolite, K-feldspar and magnetite,
occurs at depth in the centre of the system. It is sulphide deficient, and forms a base to
the ore zone.
An extensive zone of chlorite-sericite with and without albite alteration of siliciclastic
sedimentary rocks appears to close off the system eastwards. However, a distal
propylitic zone, like that defined previously to the west, has yet to be encountered.
Deep drilling along the west side of the system demonstrated the existence of a 700 m
thickness of monotonous, polymict breccia, thereby confirming that it must define a
phreatomagmatic diatreme.
The MacNeill gold-zinc zone, confined beneath the underside of the eastward-flared,
late-mineral diatreme contact, is assigned an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal origin.
It appears to be the product of the final mineralizing event in the Caspiche system, post-
dating all alteration.
The principal rock types defined at Caspiche are assigned to four broad units: pre-
mineral sedimentary rocks, volcanic breccia of probable diatreme origin that also
predates much of the mineralization, several porphyry intrusions, and a post-mineral
diatreme breccia.
alteration precludes certain identification of most clast lithologies, but the remnant textures
and characteristic absence of magmatic quartz grains suggest that andesite, diorite and their
porphyries predominate. Hornfelsed sedimentary rock and, very locally, andesite porphyry
clasts are prominent in the breccia within a few metres of the contacts with these rock types.
Although most clasts are internally homogeneous, recognition of veinlets confined in a
minority of clasts is important, because it indicates hydrothermal activity occurred prior to
breccia formation.
The origin of this volcanic breccia unit remains uncertain; however, it seems likely to be part
of a large diatreme. The lack of bedding and size sorting over several hundred vertical
metres would appear to preclude subaerial accumulation of the breccia. The presence of
mineralized material in its clasts suggests that the diatreme was emplaced after the
Caspiche porphyry system was initiated. It is unlikely that such material could have been
transported from a distant volcano. Diatreme formation may even have aborted an early
hydrothermal event at Caspiche. Previous interpretations centred the intrusive vent in the
Caspiche Porphyry area, but the spacing of the drill pattern after the 2008-2009 drill
programs effectively negated this possibility. Therefore, the vent is currently thought to lie
beyond the core of the system, possibly to the north.
7.2.2 Intrusive Rocks
Exposed intrusive rocks at Caspiche are limited to a series of small felsic porphyritic
stockworks located at Caspiche Porphyry that extend to the north and south. Locally, these
exhibit chilled margins and flow banding. At depth at Caspiche Porphyry, two main porphyry
intrusions constitute the well mineralized Caspiche stockwork, and a third porphyry intrusion
abuts the Caspiche stockworks to the west and south. The two main porphyry intrusions are
referred to as the Early Diorite Porphyry (DP) and the Early Inter-Mineral Porphyry (QDP1)
and are interpreted to be early and early inter-mineral phases of the same intrusions. The
third porphyry referred to as the Late Inter-Mineral Porphyry (QDP2) and is interpreted to be
a late to inter-mineral phase.
The mineralized stockwork measures approximately 300 m by 400 m in plan, and does not
vary appreciably in size over its defined 1200 m vertical extent. The DP appears to expand
in size below the 3600 m elevation level, although it is intruded by a body of the Early Inter-
Mineral Porphyry at this level. The bulk of the Early Inter-Mineral Porphyry lies east of the
Early Diorite Porphyry, although a narrow, dyke-like body of Early Inter-Mineral Porphyry
also follows the western side of the Early Diorite Porphyry. A fine-grained diorite porphyry
occurs locally as a minor dyke within the mineralized stockworks, which it appears to post-
date. The Late Inter-Mineral Porphyry is well-defined at shallow levels, where it constitutes a
curved, body that wraps around and truncates the western and southern sides of the earlier
intrusions. At depth, however, the Late Inter-Mineral Porphyry is appreciably smaller.
The Early Diorite Porphyry is considered dioritic in composition because of the lack of quartz
phenocrysts. Plagioclase and biotite phenocrysts are abundant and accompanied by
subordinate hornblende. The original texture of the Early Diorite Porphyry is partly
obliterated by intense alteration and veining. Veining is dominated by an intense, multi-
directional, A-type quartz-veinlet stockwork. Near the top of the intrusive body, this type of
veining constitutes more than 50 % of the rock mass. Magnetite-only and quartz-magnetite
veinlets are also widely developed as part of the stockwork.
The inter-mineral phases are coarser-grained and texturally better preserved than the DP.
The inter-mineral phases contain quartz phenocrysts, and thus are interpreted to be quartz
diorite porphyries. The Late Inter-Mineral Porphyry is noticeably coarser-grained and
contains larger quartz phenocrysts than the Early Inter-Mineral Porphyry. The Early Inter-
Mineral Porphyry is cut by abundant, relatively narrow (<0.5 cm), A-type quartz veinlets, but
truncates many of the quartz veinlets in the early porphyry, including all those with widths of
1-4 cm. Quartz veinlet xenoliths are commonplace in the Early Inter-Mineral Porphyry,
especially near contacts with the Early Diorite Porphyry. In contrast, the Late Inter-Mineral
Porphyry is only weakly veined and, in its western parts, displays low alteration intensity and
preservation of magmatic biotite and magnetite.
7.2.3 Structure
Mapping of bedrock exposures indicates the main structural orientations at Caspiche to be
northwest, east-northeast, and roughly north-south. These same orientations are observed
as lineaments on Landsat satellite imagery and airborne magnetic imagery. Newcrest
interpreted several of these lineaments to be major fault zones, including a west-northwest
trending structure north of Caspiche Porphyry. Exeter found no clear evidence of this fault
zone being a controlling feature in the field during geological mapping in 2009.
Several minor faults and breccia systems have been identified within the Caspiche prospect
from drilling. Despite preliminary attempts, no compelling correlations have been drawn to
map the existence of major late faults indicating significant offsets, with the exception of a
single vertically dipping, structure orientated NW-SE on the north-eastern edge of the
system beyond the mineralized envelope. Another significant zone of structural weaknesses
lies on the western contact of the lower flange of the late diatreme where scouring from the
diatreme has generated a zone of 3 to 4 m of finely ground rock with a sand size
consistency.
The prior existence of major mantle tapping structures is evidenced by the emplacement of
the cluster of westward younging porphyry intrusions. The emplacement of the porphyry
bodies appears to have healed or closed the upper extremities of these structures and/or the
potential trap site which halted the porphyry intrusions ascension towards the paleo surface
at least in the area of the Caspiche prospect.
The broadly west younging porphyry association is attributed to progressive emplacement
along the porphyry-sedimentary basement contact which would be the path of least
lithostatic resistance to ascending magmas. Detailed checking of minor faults with consistent
orientations between adjacent drillholes commonly shows different thicknesses, styles and
fill mineralogy suggesting the correlation with consistent orientation may not imply
connectivity. These can be interpreted to be related to secondary and tertiary fracturing of
rock which remained unhealed during inter-mineral and late-mineral porphyry emplacement
and brecciation.
7.2.4 Alteration
There are four end member alteration types noted on the Caspiche property:
Porphyry style stockwork vein and associated alteration;
Retrograde hydrothermal alteration;
High sulphidation epithermal style alteration;
below the surficial deposits is generally mineralized only in gold and low level silver, and the
onset of copper mineralization generally coincides with the commencement of sulphide
mineralization. No significant supergene oxide mineralization has been observed at
Caspiche Porphyry. Mineralized intercepts in and around the diorite porphyry appear to have
good continuity, and yield consistent intercepts of several hundred metres of porphyry-style,
sulphide mineralization grading between 0.3 g/t and 1.0 g/t gold, and 0.1 % and 0.4 %
copper. Near surface, oxide intercepts at Caspiche Porphyry generally range between 20 m
and 200 m grading between 0.2 g/t and 1.2 g/t gold and <0.02 % copper.
At Caspiche Epithermals prospect, only high-sulphidation epithermal style alteration and
mineralization have been observed and intersected by drilling to date. Potential for porphyry-
style mineralization at depth remains, because drilling to date at Caspiche Epithermals has
mostly targeted near-surface high-sulphidation epithermal mineralization and thus reached
only relatively shallow depths in most areas. One deeper drill hole completed in 2009 to the
west of the system and an additional two deeper drillholes in the southern portion of the
prospect failed to intersect intrusive rocks or proximal porphyry-style alteration and
mineralization downgrading the potential for these areas.
Figure .8.1 shows a generalized porphyry model and the relationship between the porphyry
and epithermal environments.
Figure .8.1: Generalized Porphyry Model (Source: Vila and Sillitoe, 1991)
9.0 EXPLORATION
The Caspiche property has been explored by Anglo, Newcrest, and Exeter from 1986 to the
effective date of this report. Exploration activities and results, organized by these
companies, are presented in Table 9.1 through Table 9.3. Exploration work reported in
previous Technical Reports is summarized in this report as is permitted under Instruction 1
of Form 43-101F1, for further detail see item 27, Referencesv:
Work covers all drilling and work on Caspiche and is not limited to the oxide portion of the
deposit under consideration in this document. In the authors opinion the sampling methods
used and sample quality are representative of the ore body and have no significant biases.
For further detail see Item 11, Sample Preparation and Item 12, data Verification of this
Report.
9.1 Exeter (2005 – 2011)
Exeter optioned the Caspiche property in October 2005, and has conducted geological
mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveying, and drilling programs through to
the effective date of this report.
A total of 29,520.7 m from 43 drill holes were completed during the 2009-2010 season, and
included drill holes CSD-041A to CSD-073 (excluding CSD-042, which was drilled during the
2008-2009 drill campaign), re-entry and deepening of CSD-016 and CSD-025, and RC holes
CR-001 to CR-005. Exeter drilling during the 2009-2010 season was designed to raise the
confidence of the existing mineral resource through infill drilling; continue to test the limits of
mineralization, particularly to the southwest; and confirm the grade and thickness of near-
surface legacy drill campaigns through twin drilling. The confirmation drill holes were drilled
using PQ and HQ diameter core and were used to provide additional mineralized oxide
material for metallurgical test work. All 2009-2010 drilling was completed in the Caspiche
Porphyry area; no drilling was completed in the Caspiche Epithermals area. A summary of
2009-2010 drilling is presented in Item 10 of this report.
Other significant exploration work conducted during this period included refinement of the
geological model from recent drilling, and an IP geophysical survey.
The interpretation of drill results from the 2009-2010 drill campaign by Exeter geologists,
and geological work by consultant Dr. Dick Sillitoe in January 2010 resulted in a re-
interpretation of some of the stratigraphic units that which led to a better understanding of
the geological setting at Caspiche. Dr. Sillitoe conducted a complete review of the Caspiche
Porphyry geological model and surrounding exploration potential. Dr. Sillitoe logged several
of the 2009-2010 drill holes and updated several of his cross sections and level plans. All
Exeter geologists participated in discussions and logging, to ensure consistency and
robustness of the model.
A total of 11,352.66 m from 14 drill holes were completed during the 2010-2011 season, and
included drill holes CSD-074 to CSD-081, METT01 to METT03 and SID01 to SID02.
Approximately two-thirds of this program was dedicated to infill drilling at the Caspiche
Porphyry designed to convert high-grade mineralization in the “Inferred” mineral resource
category to “Indicated” or better (holes CSD074 to CSD079). Approximately 15 % of this
program was dedicated to metallurgical drilling at the Caspiche Porphyry for future testwork
(holes METT01 to METT03) and the remainder was dedicated to “regional” drilling exploring
for additional porphyry mineralization in the immediate vicinity of the Caspiche Epithermals
and the Sideral prospect (CSD080, CSD082 and SID01 and SID02). A single regional
exploration hole (CSD081) was drilled approximately 1 km north of the Caspiche Porphyry
prospect. A summary of 2010-2011 drilling is presented in Item 10 of this report.
Additional work completed during the 2010-2011 campaign included extension of the Dipole
Dipole Induced Polarization (DDIP) and Controlled Source Audio-Magnetotelluric Tensor
(CSAMT) geophysical surveys to the east to cover the Sideral prospect. Some of the
CSAMT data was later considered of poor quality and was rerun using a more powerful
system later in 2011. Geological, surficial and stratigraphic mapping to refine geological
models was undertaken and recovery and size testing of a bulk sample of Caspiche oxide
ore from three distinct pits where this material outcrops on the eastern edge of the oxide
orebody was also collected.
All historical drilling and results from the 2009-2010 season and the majority of the 2010-
2011 season was included in the estimation of an updated resource estimate of Caspiche
Porphyry project in August 2011 undertaken by AMEC International. The results of this
estimate are summarized in Item 14 of this report. This resource estimate was used in the
determination of resources and reserves for this PFS study. Where drilling was conducted
within the limits of Caspiche Porphyry after the data cut-off for the August 2011 resource
estimate update, results from these holes have been validated against the interpolated block
values and the lithological and alterations models to ensure robustness and consistency of
these models. No major differences were noted and the additional drilling is interpreted to
support and validate the previous work.
Regional drilling failed to encounter mineralized intrusions or potentially economic porphyry
style mineralization. Drilling in the Caspiche epithermals showed the presence of outer
propylitic alteration below the advanced argillic blanket in the south of this prospect
downgrading the exploration potential in this area. Some anomalous alteration and path
finder minerals for epithermal systems was noted in the Sideral holes and this will be
followed up in 2011/2012.
A summary of the exploration work completed by Exeter is provided in Table 9.1.
2009 Contracted Zonge Chile Limitada to determine depth to several property targets.
2010 Zonge Chile Limitada IP Survey between the Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche Epithermal areas.
AMEC International provides an updated resource estimate for the Caspiche project based on all
2010
drilling available within the area of the Caspiche porphyry
Drilling resumes at Caspiche, with a focus on infill drilling at Caspiche Porphyry and regional
2010-2011
drilling at Caspiche Epithermals and Sideral. NB Results not available for this study.
Additional DDIP and CSAMT geophysics completed by Zonge Chile Limitada extending existing
2010-2011
work east over the Sideral prospect.
Mapping and trenching by Exeter geologists further refined surface and bedrock geological
2010-2011
knowledge assisting in construction of local geological models and regional stratigraphic columns
Recovery and size testing of a bulk sample of Caspiche oxide ore from three distinct pits where
2011
this material outcrops on the eastern edge of the oxide ore body.
2010-2011 Drilled a total of 11,352.66 m in 14 drill holes on the property.
1988 Completed a total of 568 m of rotary drilling in 12 holes in the Caspiche Porphyry area
1990 Completed a total of 950 m of RC drilling in 6 holes in the Caspiche Porphyry area
v
Explorations reports include:
Richard H. Sillitoe, Geology and Potential of the Caspiche Porphyry Copper-Gold Prospect, Northern Chile,
June 2008.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Updated Geological Model of the Caspiche Porphyry Gold-Copper Prospect, Northern Chile,
May 2009.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Geological Model of the Caspiche Porphyry Copper-Gold Prospect, Northern Chile, February
2009.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Some New Geological Features of the Caspiche Porphyry Gold-Copper Deposit, Northern
Chile, July 2010.
Tolman, J.T. and Perkins, J., 2010, Caspiche Property, Region III, Chile NI 43-101 Technical Report, Prepared
for Exeter Resource Corporation, 13 September 2010.
Tolman, J., Van Kerkvoort, G., and Perkins, J., 2008, Caspiche Project, February 9, 2009, Technical Report,
Region III, Chile, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 9 February 2009.
Van Kerkvoort, G., Delendatti, G.L.A., and Perkins, J., 2008, Technical Report & Proposed Exploration for
Caspiche Project, Region III, Chile, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 26 April 2008.
10.0 DRILLING
A total of 75,163.1 m of drilling in 154 drill holes have been completed on the Caspiche
property and adjacent areas by Exeter, Newcrest, and Anglo from 1988 to 2011. Drilling
concentrated in two main areas of the Caspiche property: Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche
Epithermals.
Of the drill total, 105 holes totalling 62,791.1 m have been drilled at the Caspiche Porphyry
prospect and 34 holes totalling 8,682.9 m have been drilled at the Caspiche Epithermals
prospect. Table 10.1 summaries all Caspiche drilling by prospect, company and drilling type.
Operators have employed air-rotary, RC, and diamond drilling methods on the property.
Drilling at Caspiche Porphyry has been predominantly by diamond drilling methods, whereas
drilling at Caspiche Epithermals has been predominantly by RC drilling methods.
Figure 10.1 shows the spatial distribution of the drill holes from the different drill campaigns.
Newcrest’s drill hole CDH-11 is located off Figure 10.1 about 1 km to the south-west and is
considered as a regional exploration hole.
Anglo focused its drilling at Caspiche Porphyry on testing areas of surface high-sulphidation
epithermal gold mineralization. In 1988, Anglo drilled a series of shallow, 50 m rotary drill
holes around the prominent silica-altered hill on the north side of the property.
In 1990, Anglo drilled six RC holes with total depths between 150 m and 200 m to test the
high-sulphidation epithermal system at depth (Figure 10.1). Drill holes were mostly inclined
(between -60° and -70°) and oriented to the northeast and southwest. Anglo intersected
several zones of significant oxide mineralization, including 32 m grading 1.10 g/t gold and
4.3 g/t silver in drill hole SHC-4, and 48 m grading 1.03 g/t gold and 6.1 g/t silver in drill hole
SHC-5.
Confirmation twin drilling of Anglo drilling (two drill holes for 334.40 m) by Exeter in 2009-
2010 revealed a slight high-bias, on average, in the Anglo gold assays; however, the
thickness of the intercepts are approximately equal. Anglo copper assays are, on average,
unbiased when compared to Exeter confirmation drilling intercepts. AMEC reviewed the
results from the twinned holes and concluded that the Exeter drilling confirms the gold and
copper grades and thickness of the Anglo near-surface drill intercepts, and the Anglo assay
data are acceptable for use in mineral resource estimation (Wakefield and Marinho, 2010).
Cube concurs with AMEC’s finding and supports the inclusion of the Anglo drilling in the
current resource estimate.
Newcrest followed-up Anglo’s success at the prominent silica-altered hill with 12 drill holes in
the 1996-1997 exploration season and two drill holes in the 1997-1998 season (Figure
10.1). Newcrest drill holes were mostly inclined (between -60° and -80°) and oriented to the
northeast and south. Drill hole depth ranged between 80 m and 332 m and averaged 230 m
(Figure 10.1). In addition to confirming the presence of near-surface, oxide gold
mineralization, Newcrest intersected several zones of sulphide, porphyry-style, gold-copper
mineralization, including 120 m grading 0.51 g/t gold and 0.27 % copper in drill hole CDH-
2b, and 154 m grading 0.63 g/t gold and 0.24 % copper in drill hole CDH-3.
Exeter drilled two confirmation twin holes of Newcrest drilling in 2009-2010. This drilling plus
two twinned confirmation drill holes drilled during previous Exeter campaigns, show that no
significant bias exists, on average, in the Newcrest gold assays, and that the thickness of
the intercepts are approximately equal. Newcrest copper and silver assays are, on average,
6
RC pre-collar drill lengths are included in the core drilling totals. Drill totals for Exeter campaigns are current as of the
effective date of the Technical Report.
unbiased when compared to Exeter confirmation drilling intercepts. AMEC reviewed the
results from the twinned holes and concluded that the Exeter drilling confirms the gold,
copper, and silver grades and thickness of the Newcrest drill intercepts, and that these data
are acceptable for unrestricted use in mineral resource estimation (Wakefield and Marinho,
2010). Cube concurs with AMEC’s finding and supports the inclusion of the Newcrest drilling
in the current resource estimate.
Exeter first drilled the Caspiche Porphyry area with the last RC drill hole of the 2006-2007
season, CSR-13. Exeter drilling during the 2007-2008 season was aimed at following up the
previous season’s intercept and drilling during the 2008-2009 season was designed to
define the limits of the mineralized system. Exeter drilling during the 2009-2010 season was
designed to raise the confidence of the existing mineral resource through infill drilling;
continue to test the limits of mineralization, particularly to the south and west; and confirm
the grade and thickness of near-surface legacy drill campaigns through twin drilling. Four
RC drill holes were completed on the property outside the Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche
Epithermals areas in an effort to identify vectors towards additional buried intrusive centres.
Exeter drilling during the 2010-2011 season was designed whereby approximately two-thirds
of this program was dedicated to infill drilling at the Caspiche Porphyry designed to convert
high-grade mineralization in the “Inferred” mineral resource category to “Indicated” or better.
Approximately 15 % of this program was dedicated to metallurgical drilling at the Caspiche
Porphyry for future testwork and the remainder was dedicated to “regional” drilling exploring
for additional porphyry mineralization in the immediate vicinity of the Caspiche Epithermals
and the Sideral prospect.
Exeter drill holes are mostly inclined (between -60° and -80°) and oriented predominantly to
the northeast and southwest. The last drill hole of the 2006-2007 drill campaign, drill hole
CSR-013, intersected 304 m grading 0.90 g/t gold and 0.10 % copper from a downhole
depth of 40 m.
Significant intercepts returned from the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 drill campaigns include
drill hole CSD-016, which intersected 92 m of oxide mineralization grading 0.41 g/t gold, and
792.45 m of sulphide mineralization grading 0.96 g/t gold and 0.40 % copper, drill hole CSD-
028, which intersected 862.1 m of sulphide mineralization grading 0.54 g/t gold and 0.29 %
copper, and drill hole CSD-032, which intersected 1214 m of sulphide mineralization grading
0.90 g/t gold and 0.33 % copper.
Significant intercepts returned from the 2009-2010 drill campaign include drill hole CSD-043,
which intersected 90 m of oxide mineralization grading 0.38 g/t gold, and 954 m of sulphide
mineralization grading 0.65 g/t gold and 0.27 % copper, and drill hole CSD-048, which
intersected 94 m of oxide mineralization grading 0.49 g/t gold, and 830 m of sulphide
mineralization grading 0.60 g/t gold and 0.24 % copper.
Significant intercepts returned from the 2010-2011 drill campaign include CSD-074, which
intersected 908 m grading 0.60 g/t gold and 0.22 % copper, drill hole CSD-075, which
intersected 572 m grading 0.78 g/t gold and 0.31 % copper with the hole ending in sulphide
mineralization, drill hole CSD-076, which intersected 1,146 m grading 0.38 g/t gold and 0.31
% copper and drill hole CSD-078 which intersected 376 m grading 1.25 g/t gold and 0.40 %
copper.
Figure 10.1: Drill Hole Location Map for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(Source: Exeter, 2011)
alteration and path finder minerals for epithermal systems was noted in the Sideral holes
and this will be followed up in 2011/2012.
Figure 10.2 shows the location of the exploration drill holes.
Figure 10.2: Regional Drill Hole Location Map Showing Location of Exploration Drill Holes (2009-2011)
(Source: Exeter, 2011)
CSD081
SID01
SID02
CSD082
CSD080
10.6 Surveys
Exeter drill-collar locations are first estimated by Exeter personnel using a hand-held GPS,
together with the distance from the nearest surveyed drill hole. Collar locations are then
surveyed with a Leica TC 600 Total Station instrument by Mr. Luis Jorquera Galaz from
Copiapó, Chile, a professional surveyor. Mr. Galaz has surveyed all drill hole collars on the
property.
Downhole surveys for diamond drill holes are conducted by the drill contractor every 50 m
down-hole using a Reflex EZ Shot digital down-hole camera. RC drill holes are surveyed
down-hole within the drill steel by Exeter to determine the dip deviation. Azimuth data from
the RC surveys are discarded.
In Cube’s opinion, the accuracy of the collar and down-hole surveys is adequate to support
mineral resource estimation procedures. AMEC also reviewed down hole surveys for all
drilling used in the resource estimate and reached the same conclusion.
10.7 Drilling Results
The Caspiche property has been drilled semi-consistently, in terms of drill spacing and
depth. Drilling for the last three campaigns has been completed on a grid with an
approximate drill collar spacing in the Caspiche Porphyry area based on a 200 m by 200 m
staggered grid (with a central drill hole) meaning at any point in the grid a collar should be
located within 100 m. In practice, hole spacing is approximately 100 m between drill lines
with closed fences of holes approximately 200 m apart. Dip and azimuth can vary between
different sections. The average depth of drilling at Caspiche Porphyry is 413 m below
surface. This average includes early Anglo drilling that averaged 84 m in total depth, and
Newcrest drilling that averaged 229 m in total depth. Average depth of drilling by Exeter at
Caspiche Porphyry is 757 m, and the deepest hole on the Property is 1497.1 m.
A list of significant intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry areas is provided in Table 10.3.
Intercepts are cut at the oxide / sulphide contact and reported separately to show the
relative thickness and mineralization within these two distinct zones.
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
SHC-2 2 50 48 0.27
SHC-3 2 50 48 0.13
SHC-4 2 32 30 1.1
SHC-5 2 50 48 1.03
SHC-6 2 50 48 0.32
SHC-7 2 50 48 0.48
SHC-8 2 50 48 0.29
SHC-9 2 50 48 0.09
SHC-10 2 50 48 0.73
SHC-11 2 50 48 0.28
SHC-12 2 46 44 0.32
SPC-01 26 36 10 0.7
SPC-04 12 26 14 0.56
SPC06 52 62 8 1.2
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(continuation)
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(continuation)
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(continuation)
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(continuation)
Table 10.3: Significant Intercepts for the Caspiche Porphyry Prospect Area
(continuation)
the conclusions of AMEC in the previous NI 43-101 report from Wakefield and Marinho,
2010. Ninety percent of the pulp duplicate pairs have absolute relative differences less than
30 %.
A total of 54 samples were assayed at ACME and ALS Chemex. No significant bias exists
between the ACME and ALS Chemex results for gold.
The ACME gold assays from the 2006-2007 drill campaign are adequately accurate and
precise and are acceptable for purposes of mineral resource estimation; consistent with the
conclusions of AMEC in the previous NI 43-101 report from Wakefield and Marinho, 2010.
2007-2008 Drill Campaign
All samples from the 2007-2008 drilling programme were prepared and assayed by ALS
Chemex in La Serena, Chile. RC samples were prepared as shown in Table 11.1.
Table 11.1: RC Sample Preparation Procedure for 2007-2008 Exeter Drill Samples
Step Procedure
The core sample preparation procedure was refined several times during the programme to
provide coarse material for metallurgical samples. The first 676 m of core hole CSD-014 was
prepared and assayed with the same procedures as used for RC samples. However, the
procedure was changed for the last 65 m of CSD-014 from 676 to 740.67 (total depth), and
for holes CSD-015, and CSD-016, to that shown in Table 11.2.
Table 11.2: Refined DD Sample Preparation Procedure for Exeter Drill Samples
Step Procedure
The sample preparation procedure was refined again for drill holes CSD-018 through CSD-
026 as shown in Table 11.3.
Table 11.3: Further Refined DD Sample Preparation Procedure for Exeter Drill
Samples
Step Procedure
All RC and core samples were assayed for gold by fire assay of a 50 g sub-sample and an
atomic absorption finish (ALS Chemex code Au-AA24). Samples reporting greater than 1 g/t
gold were re-assayed to provide a check on the original assay. Copper and silver were
assayed by four acid (total) digestion and atomic absorption finish (ALS Chemex codes Cu-
AA62 and Ag-AA62). Fifty one additional elements, including copper and molybdenum, were
determined on all samples using aqua-regia digestion and ICP-MS (ALS Chemex code ME-
MS41).
SRMs, coarse blanks, and duplicates were used to control assay quality. SRMs, blanks, and
coarse duplicates were inserted at a rate of 1 in 20 for core samples, and 1 in 30 for RC
samples.
Exeter used SRMs from Geostats to control assay accuracy. The recommended values for
these SRMs range between 0.6 g/t and 0.8 g/t gold and acceptably match the expected
range of gold concentrations at Caspiche. SRM results from the 2007-2008 drill campaign
show accuracy for gold to be acceptable. Of 65 SRMs assayed, 86 % were within
acceptable limits, and there was no significant bias in the results.
A review of pulp duplicate assays found that ALS Chemex precision for gold is acceptable.
Of 40 pairs of pulp duplicates assayed, greater than 97.5 % were within 10 % absolute
relative difference.
Of 66 blanks assayed, all returned gold values less than three times the lower detection limit
of 0.005 g/t.
Results from the ALS Chemex gold assays from the 2007-2008 drill campaign are
adequately accurate and precise and are acceptable for use in mineral resource estimation.
2008-2009 Drill Campaign
Sample preparation and assaying for the 2008-2009 drill campaign remained much the
same as it was at the end of the 2007-2008 drill campaign. Sample preparation was
performed as shown in Table 11.3. Assaying for gold was by fire assay of a 50 g sub-sample
and an atomic absorption finish (ALS Chemex code Au-AA24). Copper was assayed by four
acid (total) digestion and atomic absorption finish (ALS Chemex codes Cu-AA62). Fifty one
additional elements, including copper and molybdenum, were assayed on all samples using
aqua-regia digestion and ICP-MS (ALS Chemex code ME-MS41). Silver was not assayed by
total digestion during this campaign, but it is included in the ME-MS41 multi-element aqua-
regia package. Samples reporting greater than 2 g/t gold, instead of 1 g/t in 2007-2008,
were re-assayed to provide a check on the original assay.
SRMs, coarse blanks, duplicates, and check assays were used to control assay quality and
were inserted at a rate of 1 in 40 samples.
A review of the 115 SRM results from ALS Chemex during the 2008-2009 drill campaign
found the assay accuracy for gold to be acceptable. Recommended values for the Geostats
SRMs ranged between 0.24 g/t and 1.48 g/t gold and are appropriate for the range of gold
values expected at Caspiche. Several SRMs returned unacceptably low values during the
campaign, but the affected batches were re-assayed with acceptable results and the assays
replaced in the Exeter database. Copper and silver SRMs were not included in the 2008-
2009 drill programme, but were acquired by Exeter for use in the 2009-2010 drill
programme.
A total of 51 coarse reject samples from drill holes completed between November 2008 and
February 2009 were submitted by Exeter to Geoanalitica in Copiapó, Chile, for check assay.
Geoanalitica is an independent ISO 9001:2000 registered assay laboratory. Gold and
copper results from the 51 check assay samples were reviewed and found no significant
bias exists between the ALS Chemex and Geoanalitica results for gold and copper. Control
samples submitted with the check assay samples showed that assay accuracy for gold and
copper at Geoanalitica is acceptable.
A total of 91 pulps from sample intervals from the 2008-2009 drill campaign were submitted
by Exeter to ACME for analysis of gold, copper, and silver as an extra check on the
accuracy of the ALS assays. Two blanks and two gold SRMs were included with the batch
and reported acceptable accuracy for gold, and no significant carry-over contamination.
Copper and silver SRMs were not included with the check assay batch. The check assay
results show that the ALS gold assays are biased low. This finding is in agreement with the
findings from the SRM results. The results of the copper and silver checks show that the
ALS copper and silver assays are acceptably accurate.
All 64 blank samples reported gold concentrations below two times the lower detection limit
of 0.01 g/t gold, and thus there is no evidence of significant carry-over contamination in the
ALS Chemex gold assays. All blank samples reported copper values were below 0.01 %,
and silver values below 0.3 g/t, and thus there is no evidence of significant carry-over
contamination in the ALS Chemex copper and silver assays.
A total of 68 pulp samples were resubmitted to ALS Chemex for duplicate analysis at the
end of the 2008-2009 drill programme. Duplicate data was reviewed and the precision for
gold, copper, and silver was found to be acceptable.
The ALS Chemex gold and copper assays from the 2008-2009 drill campaign are within
normal industry standards for accuracy and precision, and are acceptable for use in mineral
resource estimation.
2009-2010 Drill Campaign
Drill hole samples collected during the 2009-2010 drill campaign were submitted to ACME
Analytical Laboratories (Chile) S.A. in Santiago, Chile, for assay. At ACME, samples were
prepared by crushing 500 g to 70 % passing 2 mm (10 mesh ASTM-E11), splitting 250 g
and pulverizing it to 95 % passing 0.075 mm (200 mesh Tyler) (ACME code R200-500).
Gold was determined by fire assay on a 30 g charge and atomic absorption finish (ACME
code AuG6). Copper and silver plus an additional 31 elements were determined by aqua
regia digestion and an ICP finish (ACME code ICP-1D). Samples returning greater than 0.2
% copper were redigested using a total, four-acid digestion and atomic absorption finish
(ACME code 8TD). Samples returning greater than 300 g/t silver were re-assayed by fire
assay and gravimetric finish.
SRMs, coarse blanks, duplicates, and check assays are used to control assay quality and
are inserted at a nominal rate of 1 in 25 samples.
Exeter submitted a total of 404 gold SRMs and 28 copper and silver SRMs, 3.0 % insertion
rate, with the project samples to control assay accuracy. Recommended values for the
Geostats gold SRMs ranged between 0.2 g/t and 2.0 g/t gold and are appropriate for the
range of gold values expected at Caspiche. No significant bias was observed in the SRM
results for gold. Over 96 % of the gold and base metal standards returned results within two
standard deviations.
Copper and silver SRMs were acquired for this campaign, but were not inserted into assay
batches during the early part of the programme. Beginning in February 2010, assay batches
included a mixture of silver and copper SRMs, together with the gold SRMs. SRMs
employed by Exeter range between 1.3 g/t and 26.8 g/t silver and 0.15 % and 0.24 %
copper, and are appropriate for the range of silver and copper values expected at Caspiche.
Gold SRMs, while not certified for silver, have historically returned reasonably precise
results in an appropriate grade range between 0.3 g/t to 6.0 g/t for silver grades expected at
Caspiche. Exeter has produced a number of SRMs from Caspiche project material to control
accuracy in future drill campaigns.
Exeter selected 338 representative samples from mineralized intercepts from the 2009/2010
drill campaign and submitted them to ALS La Serena Laboratory, with appropriate blanks
and standards, for check assay. Results showed no significant problems with precision or
sample integrity.
Blanks were submitted at the start of each batch to test for cross-batch contamination and
also after suspect high-grade zones such as auriferous ledges or massive sulphide veins. Of
154 blanks submitted, a 1.1 % insertion rate, over 98 % of the assays for gold were less
than two times the lower detection limit value for the method. Copper assays for blank
samples were all below 20 ppm (0.002 %), except for one value of 60 ppm (0.006 %).
Results show there is no significant contamination of gold, silver, or copper assays due to
sample preparation at ACME.
Coarse reject material from 386 intervals from the 2009-2010 drill campaign were selected
and re-assayed at ACME to determine assay precision for gold, copper, and silver. Results
for gold show that, 95 % of the samples have (RPD) levels below 20 %. Results for
copper and silver show that 90 % and 99 % of duplicates respectively have RPD levels
below 20 %. General industry practice considers coarse duplicates having RPD less than 20
% to be acceptable.
Exeter reviews quality control results of each batch before loading the assay into the mineral
resource database. Additionally, Exeter reviews long-range trends of control sample results
and modify the QA/QC protocol as necessary. AMEC reviewed the 2009-2010 control
results with Exeter prior to calculation of the updated resource estimate and concurred that
Exeter’s control of data quality and evaluation of the results to be effective and the data was
acceptable for use in mineral resource estimation.
All SRM control charts for the 2010-2011 drilling campaign for gold, copper and are shown
in Figure 11.1 to Figure 11.21.
Figure 11.1: SRM Control Chart OM00 (2010-2011)- Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM00
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Au (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Fire Assay 30gm
0.55
0.5
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
10000404
10000404
10000433
11000296
11000327
11000327
11000574
11000664
11000664
Figure 11.2: SRM Control Chart OM00 (2010-2011) - Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM00
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
120.3
110.3
100.3
90.3
80.3
70.3
60.3
10000404
10000404
10000433
11000296
11000327
11000327
11000574
11000664
11000664
Figure 11.3: SRM Control Chart OM00 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM00
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Ag (ppm),
(g/t) Method = Aqua Regia ICP
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
4 4 3 6 7 7 4 4 4
0 0 3 9 2 2 7 6 6
4 4 4 2 3 3 5 6 6
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Figure 11.4: SRM Control Chart OM10(2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM10
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Au (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Fire Assay 30gm
0.5
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
10000404
10000404
10000433
11000016
11000091
11000296
11000296
11000327
11000327
11000327
11000574
11000664
11000664
Figure 11.5: SRM Control Chart OM10 (2010-2011) - Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM10
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
110.25
100.25
90.25
80.25
70.25
60.25
50.25
40.25
10000404
10000404
10000433
11000016
11000091
11000296
11000296
11000327
11000327
11000327
11000574
11000664
11000664
Figure 11.6: SRM Control Chart OM10 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_OM10
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Ag (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
1.6
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10000404
10000404
10000433
11000016
11000091
11000296
11000296
11000327
11000327
11000327
11000574
11000664
11000664
January, 2012
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.22
0.24
0.26
0.28
0.32
0.34
0.36
0.38
10000410 10000410
10000410 10000410
11000095 11000095
Consulting, 2011)
11000179 11000179
Standard Plot - STD_SM100
Figure 11.7: SRM Control Chart OM100 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.15
0.25
0.35
0
1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.2
1.4
January, 2012
10000410
10000410
10000410 10000410
11000095 11000095
11000122 11000179
Standard Plot - STD_SM100
11000296
11000665
Copiapó, Chile
NI 43-101 Technical Report Caspiche Pre-feasibility Study
Caspiche Project
Figure 11.10: SRM Control Chart OM110 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
0
1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.2
January, 2012
10000410 10000410
10000410 10000410
Consulting, 2011)
Consulting, 2011)
11000122 11000122
11000179 11000179
11000179 11000179
11000211 11000211
11000211 11000211
11000296 11000296
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
Figure 11.13: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM200
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Au (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Fire Assay 30gm
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000095
Figure 11.14: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM200
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte =Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
2450
2400
2350
2300
2250
2200
2150
2100
2050
2000
1950
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000095
Figure 11.15: SRM Control Chart OM200 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM200
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Ag (ppm),
(g/t) Method = Aqua Regia ICP
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000095
Figure 11.16: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM210
(g/t) Method = Fire Assay 30gm
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Au (ppm),
0.75
0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
0.5
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
10000410
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
11000095
11000180
11000211
Figure 11.17: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM210
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
2300
2200
2100
2000
1900
1800
1700
1600
10000410
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
11000095
11000180
11000211
Figure 11.18: SRM Control Chart OM210 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM210
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Ag (ppm),
(g/t) Method = Aqua Regia ICP
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10000410
10000414
10000414
10000432
10000443
11000095
11000180
11000211
Figure 11.19: SRM Control Chart OM300(2010-2011) - Gold (Source: Cube Consulting,
2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM300
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Au (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Fire Assay 30gm
0.54
0.52
0.5
0.48
0.46
0.44
0.42
0.4
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000002
11000002
11000026
11000026
11000069
11000091
11000091
11000095
11000179
11000180
11000180
11000211
11000212
Figure 11.20: SRM Control Chart OM300 (2010-2011) -Copper (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM300
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Cu (ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
850
800
750
700
650
600
550
500
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000002
11000002
11000026
11000026
11000069
11000091
11000091
11000095
11000179
11000180
11000180
11000211
11000212
Figure 11.21: SRM Control Chart OM300 (2010-2011) - Silver (Source: Cube
Consulting, 2011)
Standard Plot - STD_SM300
Laboratory = ACME, Analyte = Ag (g/t)
(ppm), Method = Aqua Regia ICP
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
-0.2
-0.4
10000443
10000443
11000002
11000002
11000002
11000026
11000026
11000069
11000091
11000091
11000095
11000179
11000180
11000180
11000211
11000212
11.2.2.2 Newcrest
Drill samples were assayed for gold, silver, and copper at ALS Geolab in Copiapó, Chile.
The quality control programme consisted of external standards and blanks sent to ALS
Geolab, and check assays sent to ACME Laboratories and SGS Laboratories in Santiago,
Chile. ACME and SGS are ISO 9001 registered assay laboratories. The ACME checks
reportedly produced systematically higher (bias not quantified) gold values than those from
ALS Geolab (Van Kerkvoort et al., 2008). This indicates that the Newcrest gold assays may
be biased low and thus may underestimate the true gold grade of the Newcrest intercepts.
11.2.2.3 Anglo
Specific details regarding the sample preparation and assay methodology for the Anglo drill
samples are not available to Exeter. Drill samples were assayed for gold, silver, and copper
at ALS Geolab in Copiapó, Chile. ALS Geolab assay certificates show the laboratory
performed duplicate assays every five samples and included standards in each batch. Anglo
reports did not mention any significant issues with assay quality (Van Kerkvoort et al., 2008).
Drill Hole Interval (m) Exeter Au (g/t) Exeter Cu (%) AMEC Au (g/t) AMEC Cu (%)
The assay results shown in Table 12.2 confirm the presence of gold and copper in Exeter
Caspiche drill core. AMEC assay results also agree reasonably well with Exeter assay
results.
12.3.2 Rio Tinto Metallurgical Sampling
Rio Tinto undertook a review of the Caspiche project in October 2008. As part of this review,
Rio Tinto took six samples of drill core coarse reject material for metallurgical testwork. The
samples were selected to be representative of a variety of alteration styles occurring at
Caspiche. A comparison of drill hole intercept grades and metallurgical testwork head
grades are presented in Table 12.3. In general, there is very good agreement between the
metallurgical testwork head grades and the drill hole assay grades as recorded in the drill
hole database.
CSD-16 Advanced Argillic / Potassic K-Feldspar dominant 281 - 287 1.72 0.52 1.65 0.51
CSD-16 Advanced Argillic / Potassic K-Feldspar dominant 415 - 421 1.58 0.47 1.70 0.47
CSD-16 Potassic with dominant Biotite 635 – 641 0.76 0.36 0.83 0.36
CSD-16 Potassic with dominant Biotite 724 - 734 0.77 0.39 0.60 0.15
CSD-25 Potassic with dominant Biotite 278 – 284 1.56 0.31 1.47 0.29
R² = 0.951
9
6
Re-Assay - Au ppm
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
G&T carried out the detailed flotation programme on these composites in the first half of
2010 using slightly lower than normal dosage rates of conventional reagents. In the rougher
flotation tests copper recovery averaged 90 % and gold recovery, 80 %. In general the
results pointed toward a primary grind P80 of about 130 µm, a rougher pH of 8.5, a
concentrate regrind P80 of about 20 – 25 µm, and an elevated cleaner pH of 11 – 11.5.
Flotation conditions were varied but found to have a relatively small impact on performance.
The locked cycle tests confirmed that the high sulphur composites were more difficult to
treat, with copper and gold recoveries averaging 85 % and 55 % respectively into a 24 %Cu
concentrate. Arsenic grades were 0.6 % As and 2.2 % As for the low and high arsenic
composites respectively. The low sulphur composites performed better with 87 % and 73 %
gold being recovered into a 27 %Cu concentrate, with similar arsenic grades for the LA and
HA samples.
G&T averaged the results of the four groups of LCTs but it is believed that this is not a good
representation of the tests as the conditions between the tests were altered in an attempt to
improve recovery and to some extent the concentrate grade.
The 8 LCT tests are summarized in Table 13.1. It can be seen that varying conditions did
indeed change the results, particularly the copper concentrate grade, significantly in
composites HSHA and LSLA. For all composites, high grade copper concentrates of at least
25 % Cu were achieved in all the tests except one.
A number of gravity tests, using a laboratory scale Knelson concentrator and a super-
panner, were carried out on all four composites. Negligible gold was recovered in all but one
composite, HS – HA. In this composite, 10.4 % of the gold from flotation feed was recovered
into a concentrate containing 33 g/t Au.
In view of lower gold recoveries in the high sulphur composites, in mid-2010 Exeter
commissioned SGS Lakefield laboratories to carry out an independent test programme on
residual sample of the two high sulphur composites. Despite different reagent suites and
operators, very similar results were obtained.
The results from these two programmes were reported in more detail in the September 2009
Technical Report by AMEC and the September 2010 Technical Report by Tolman and
Perkins.
A very large volume of data and test results were generated by the pilot plant programme
described above. The principal results below were extracted from the SGS report, Project
12403-003, Final Report dated 28 February 2011. A selection of head assay values are
illustrated in Table 13.2. indicating that the material tested closely matched the material
selected.
The Bond Ball Mill work index (BWi) of a head sample at a passing screen size of 106 µm
was 12.8 kWh/tonne. The operating work index of the primary grinding mill during the pilot
plant extended run was 12.2 kWh/tonne when producing a P80 of around 120 µm, which is in
reasonable agreement.
The pilot plant was not intended to simulate or predict full scale plant recoveries; however
LCTs are often used for this purpose. The results were in reasonable agreement although
the LCT sample appeared to have a lower grade. The best pilot plant run was the 4th which
produced a final concentrate of 31 %Cu at 75 % copper recovery and 59 % gold recovery.
As in previous test work, losses of gold and copper to first cleaner-scavenger tails were
considerable as can be seen in the table above.
Of note were the mass pulls to rougher concentrate that were necessary to achieve these
recoveries, and the resultant high weights reporting to cleaner tails together with substantial
copper and gold values. To a large extent this was considered normal and a function of the
low copper head grade and significant quantities of pyrite present.
Table 13.5 details assays that were carried out on the concentrate and cleaner-scavenger
tailings for downstream testwork. Mineralogical analyses indicated that 55 % of the copper
was present as chalcopyrite and 30 % as enargite in both products. In this concentrate the
arsenic and antimony contents would be considered deleterious by most custom smelters.
Mercury is also elevated and could at a level considered deleterious by some smelters.
For rougher tailings, unit areas were in the range of 0.048 to 0.071 m2/t/d for a flocculant
dosage of 25 - 45 g/t.
For scavenger cleaner tails, unit areas were in the range of 0.103 – 0.144 m2/t/d for a
flocculant dosage of 36 – 56 g/t.
Rheology tests were carried out using a concentric cylinder rotational viscometer (CCRV) to
determine critical solids density (CSD) of the three products. The CSD of rougher tailings
was 66 % wt of solids at 98 Pa unsheared yield stress. The sample appeared thixotropic on
shearing with a solids content of up to 68.7 %. The Cleaner Scavenger tails CSD was 50 %
wt corresponding to an unsheared yield stress of 55 Pa. Both samples displayed primarily
Bingham Plastic behaviour.
Final concentrate was fast settling when shear was applied and a vane viscometer had to be
used. At 83.1 and 81.7 % solids, peak yield stresses of 122 and 60 Pa were measured
respectively. Such fast settling behaviour will need to be examined in more detail for
pumping calculations.
Pressure filtration testing of the final concentrate was not possible due to settling in the feed
chamber of the feed diaphragm pump. Alternative pump units to suit the chamber were not
available; however Exeter metallurgists believe such issues are not considered likely to
affect commercially available production units.
Vacuum filtration testing was straightforward and SGS predictions were as shown in Table
13.7.
The results for the specific throughput for the belt filter at a lower moisture content of 8 %
were about 950 kg/m2/h – this would be an acceptable parameter for the design criteria.
However, a pressure filter is likely to produce a better result than a belt filter and should be
tested at the earliest opportunity with one of the commercial suppliers. The use of a drum
filter is not recommended due to the higher product moisture.
A rougher tailings sample from the pilot plant campaign has been treated for almost 40
weeks in a humidity cell at SGS Lakefield. The leach solutions appear relatively stable and
at the time of writing no parameters are outside Chilean environmental limits.
It should be pointed out that the actual operational mass pull during this pyrite flotation test
was quite high at 12.3 % as opposed to more normal mass pull targets of 7 % to 8 %. A
sample of pilot plant cleaner-scavenger tailings and pyrite concentrate as well as two
samples of cleaner scavenger tails from locked cycle tests were pre-aerated for 24 hours
and then leached for 48 hours in 0.1 % NaCN solution at 40 % solids as the optimum
conditions. No carbon additions were trialed in these tests. The results of the leach tests are
summarized in Table 13.9.
Table 13.9: Flotation Product Cyanide Leaching Results of Flotation Plant Products
48 hour % extraction NaCN Calculated Head
Sample Leached
Au Ag Cu Kg/t Au g/t Ag g/t Cu %
PP Cleaner Scavenger Tails 67.6 39.1 46.5 3.99 1.25 4.1 0.26
PP Pyrite Concentrate 67.3 32.2 46.9 4.48 1.56 4.6 0.30
LCT Cl Sc Tails - HSHA 60.5 48.0 49.2 1.77 1.19 2.9 0.12
LCT Cl Sc Tails - HSLA 60.2 50.7 47.9 1.33 1.11 1.8 0.08
SART tests for cyanide recovery were carried out on three of the solutions from these tests.
The optimum conditions were found to be pH 4 using 110 % of the stoichiometric
requirement of sodium hydrogen sulphide (NaSH). Sulphuric acid additions ranged from 1.3
g/L to 1.8 g/L and re-neutralization hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.94 g/L to 1.4 g/L.
The results are summarized in Table 13.10.
The copper recoveries were almost quantitative as expected however the cyanide
recoveries ranged from 74 % to 86 %, most probably as a result of cyanide present as
thiocyanate, SCN-, which cannot be regenerated in the SART circuit and is instead mostly
precipitated into the copper product.
and ranged from 7 % to 29 %. It is possible that these could be improved by a post POX
treatment route and should be investigated in future pilot plant work.
All leach tests resulted in calculated gold head assays lower than the assay head. SGS
speculated that some gold could be in the POX pregnant solution as a result of chloride or
fluoride but it did not show up in assays and was not investigated further.
A comparison leach was carried out on the un-oxidized flotation concentrate. This showed
14 % gold dissolution after 48 hours with 19 kg/t cyanide consumption.
For the prefeasibility study the parameters set were: Feed grades 0.231 %Cu and
0.562 g/tAu; recovery 83 %Cu and 60 %Au; concentrate grade 25 %Cu and 44 %Au;
crushing P95 at 2”, grinding P80 at 130 µm, regrind P80 at 30m.
Gold recoveries obtained from Composite 8 at -50 mm, -25 mm and -12.5 mm were 54.2 %,
68.8 % and 68.9 % respectively, and the leach kinetics were slower than for the oxide
samples. As expected with the higher copper content, cyanide consumptions were
significantly higher. The results suggest that transition material could be treated by heap
leaching if required, however it is probable that copper might need to be removed and
cyanide recovered in a SART facility, also that gold recoveries will be much lower. Due to
the copper in solution, transition material should not be leached or mixed with oxide
material.
Bottle roll test results at P80 -1.7 mm feed sizes were reasonably predictive of column test
gold recoveries, and were effectively used for estimation of column test lime requirements.
This suggests that in production, such tests might be able to be used for performance
prediction if carried out on blast hole cuttings.
Cyanide consumptions for the oxide composites were high, but should be significantly lower
in commercial production. This is based on comparative testwork data base results and
actual production results of similar operations. Lime requirements were moderate, and pH
control during leaching generally was not difficult. Load/permeability tests on the column
residues indicated that the oxide ore material would display adequate permeability under
expected heap stack height compressive loadings.
Sufficient material was left from two composites to carry out additional column leaches at 25
mm using lower cyanide concentrations, namely addition rates of 1.00, 0.50 and 0.25 kg/t
NaCN. The results of this optimization programme are summarized in Table 13.13.
The programme indicated the expected downward trend in cyanide consumption together
with a small reduction in gold recovery with the weaker solutions. Once again, even at the
lower cyanide additions, consumptions in a full scale heap are expected to be considerably
lower.
The results from this programme were considered to confirm comprehensively the technical
application of heap leaching for oxide ore by both MLI and Exeter and, together with the
crushing and abrasion results, provided sufficient information to carry out a detailed study
into this treatment route by Aker Solutions.
Aker endorsed the Exeter programme results and during the preliminary engineering trade-
off phase of the PFS determined that a 5 year oxide operation on -50 mm material would be
close to optimal. In reviewing the crushing design, the conventional use of a gyratory
crusher in the circuit for such a short operational life was considered sub-optimal as the
crusher would be too small for the later sulphide operation. Aker’s conceptual design called
for screening ahead of jaw crushing followed by open-circuit secondary crushing. Both Aker
and a crusher manufacturer called for a large sample to be sized in order to develop
reasonable crushing plant design parameters.
In January 2011, two truckloads of mineralized oxide material was excavated from 3
trenches located next to drill holes 14, 23 and 64 and were sent to SGS Santiago for sizing.
This data was used to estimate screening requirements ahead of the jaw crusher and assist
in dimensioning the crusher. The samples were selected and composited to reflect actual
Caspiche oxide ore composition as much as practically possible given the limited outcrop
and depth penetration. All waste or “transported” material was carefully excluded from the
samples.
The results obtained from SGS are reproduced in Figure 13.3 and indicate ROM feed sizing
(F80) from the test pit locations of 2.8” or 71 mm.
MLI are also completing humidity cell testwork on column residues to check the propensity
for acid rock drainage (ARD) on heap leach materials.
For the prefeasibility study the parameters set were: Feed grade average 0.404 g/tAu;
recovery 78 %; crushing P95 at 2”.
The three 9.5 mm results represent agglomerated column tests where the gold leached very
quickly to the final recovery levels of between 55 % and 70 %.
The high cyanide consumptions in the column tests are believed to be a function of leaching
for 80 days and would be expected to be substantially less at 20 to 30 days. Generally
cyanide consumptions are higher on McTrans than on MacNeill material and reflect the
amount of copper present. Copper extractions ranged from 12.5 % to 25 %. No percolation
problems or slumping was observed in the column tests.
While flotation was carried out on the appropriate composites, they did not respond
particularly well at normal sizes and when recovery did improve at a 45 µm, concentrate
copper grades were still low.
For the prefeasibility study the parameters set were: Feed grade average 0.508 g/tAu;
recovery 40 %; crushing P95 at 2”.
When the PFS started, the density of the ore was unknown, however, for design purposes,
2.7 t/m3 was assumed as a typical for a porphyry copper ore in Chile. It has no impact in the
crushing and conveying sizing because those systems were calculated with a bulk density
(1.6 t/m 3), and the effect on slurries are less than 1 % of volumetric flow rates, i.e. the pumps
and pipes sizes for the project do not change.
Most of the data was as expected and suggested an increase in hardness with depth with
the exceptions of Composites 3 and G. The UCS results appeared to be lower than
expected and the detailed report suggested most have failed on fracture planes.
Locked cycle HPGR tests have been completed and the Bond Mill work index after HPGR
will be compared with the conventional BWi and alternative SAG mill and HPGR circuits
compared. In addition, flotation responses will be compared between conventionally milled
and HPGR milled materials after mineralogical examinations are completed.
12403-009 MacNeill HPGR and Flotation
Two metallurgical HQ drill holes were drilled into the main MacNeill Zone and into McTrans
material late in the 2010 drilling season. SGS have been supplied with part of this material to
check the HPGR and physical characteristics of these two ore types and in general conduct
a similar programme to 12403-006. Work has started on the various grinding parameters.
13.5.2 Oxide Mineralization
There is currently no testwork on oxide mineralization other than humidity cell leaching for
environmental purposes. In the coming 2011/12 drill season, a second campaign of PQ
holes is planned to provide samples for a comprehensive breakage and sizing assessment,
together with further confirmatory column testwork. A proposal to set up a large column test
programme on ROM ore was not accepted because of the difficulty of establishing the
representivity of any near surface or accessible material.
Table 14.1: Summary of Drill Data used for the Caspiche Mineral Resource Estimate
Campaign No. Holes Min. Length (m) Max. Length (m) Avg. Length (m) Total(m)
14.2 Topography
AMEC used an updated topographic surface file for the mineral resource estimates. The
topographic model was based on 0.5 m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) modelling
from high definition stereo satellite photos. Then, isolated portions of the topographic
surface were adjusted using surveyed drill hole collar elevations to create a final topographic
surface for use in mineral resource estimation.
Figure 14.1 shows detailed topography and drill hole locations over the Caspiche Porphyry
project.
Figure 14.1: Caspiche and Drill Hole Locations – Caspiche Porphyry Project (Source:
Cube Consulting, 2011)
500m
Domain Description
DP Diorite Porphyry (main host rock for mineralization)
DTB Diatreme breccia
QDP2 Quartz-diorite Porphyry (late and lower grade)
QDP1 Quartz-diorite Porphyry
VOLCBX Volcanic breccias
CFB Earliest cretaceous host rock (Basement)
OB Overburden
MAC MacNeill
Exeter provided AMEC with an updated limit of oxidation boundary for this model update.
The limit of oxidation was constructed from logging information; mainly sulphide
descriptions. AMEC checked the oxide and sulphide solids against the drill holes database
coding and found it to be acceptable.
The lithological solids provide the main support for the estimation domains. AMEC
compared summary statistics and contact plots for combinations of lithology, alteration and
weathering models. Final estimation domains for gold and silver were based on lithological
and alteration codes without weathering zones. Copper estimation domains included
weathering zones.
Gold grades are clearly higher in the DP but there are no clear lithological controls for gold
mineralization. AMEC has interpreted the DP intrusion to be the source of mineralizing
solutions carrying mainly gold and silver. The mineralizing solutions were disseminated
through the other lithological units during the mineralization event.
Figure 14.2: Caspiche Lithological Model - Plan (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)
Inter-mineral Diorite
Porphyry Second
Phase – QDP2
500m
Figure 14.3: Caspiche Lithological Model – Looking North (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)
Figure 14.4: Caspiche Lithological and Alteration Model – Looking North (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)
Copper mineralization is not controlled by lithological units, but is controlled by the oxidation
boundary. The contact plots for copper show a transitional contact from the oxide to the
sulphide zone and for grade estimation purposes AMEC created a transitional or mixed zone
by projecting the oxide bottom surface 15 m above and below. Samples from oxide and
sulphide zones are shared during grade estimation only for the transitional zone blocks.
14.4 Composites
The nominal sample length for assays is 2 m, and only six samples exceed 8 m in length.
AMEC regularized the drilling data by compositing the drill-hole data into 8 m lengths within
the lithological, alteration and weathering solids.
AMEC back-tagged the 8 m composites using the lithology solid shapes. The composites
were also back-tagged with the oxide, mixed, sulphide and alteration solids.
14.5 Exploratory Data Analysis
14.5.1 Contact Analysis
Prior to estimation, AMEC constructed contact profiles to analyze the gold, copper and silver
composite grade behaviour at the lithological boundaries. The aim of this analysis was to
characterize the boundary conditions between the main lithological units and to determine
the appropriate combinations of composite data for grade estimation.
Hard, firm, and soft contacts are important for the grade estimation plan. Soft contacts
permit sample sharing from two adjacent lithological units during grade estimation. Hard
contacts do not permit sample sharing. Firm contacts allow sample sharing across contacts
for a certain distance only.
AMEC found firm contacts for the following domain contacts: DP / CFB, DP / VOLCBX,
QDP1 / CFB and QDP1 / VOLCBX. The remaining domain boundaries were considered as
hard. For the firm boundary domains, AMEC created halos where samples are shared.
AMEC expanded the interpretations of DP and QDP1 units horizontally by 60 m and 30 m,
respectively, to represent these halos. The estimation domain codes for the expanded DP
and QDP1 units were denoted DPEX and QDP1EX respectively. During grade estimation,
blocks within this halo shared samples from the DP and QDP1 domains. Additional
estimation domains were defined based on potassic-calcic alteration (KCA). The KCA
domain was expanded horizontally by 30 m (KCAEX) to allow sample sharing. A summary
of grade estimation domains and sample sharing strategies for gold/silver and copper are
shown in Table 14.3 and 14.4, respectively.
Table 14.3: Estimation Domains and Data Combinations – Gold and Silver
Table 14.5 to Table 14.7 summarize basic statistics by estimation domain as determined by
AMEC in Section 14.5.1 for gold, silver and copper respectively.
14.6 Variography
AMEC used Sage2001 software to construct down-the-hole and directional correlograms for
the estimation domains for gold, copper, silver, molybdenum, sulphur and arsenic. The
nugget value was determined from the down-the-hole correlograms. Directional correlogram
models were fitted using two spherical structures. Typically, the nugget value is low. The first
structure ranges of gold along the mineralization plunge are long, reaching 480 m in the
QDP1 intrusion. In most of intrusive domains, the variances of both the first and second
structures are similar.
Cube undertook selected variography of the Caspiche Porphyry as part of an independent
review of the AMEC 2011 resource estimate. Cube's findings were similar to that of AMEC,
in particular, the presence of a low relative nugget value with long and very well structured
variogram ranges in a vertical plunge direction for gold and copper. Silver appeared
somewhat more variable, manifested by a higher relative nugget and less well developed
variogram ranges. Cube combined the DP and QDP1 intrusive units for the purposes of
variography. Figure 14.14 and Figure 14.15 show variogram models with maximum ranges
of 750 m and 700 m in the vertical plunge direction for gold and copper respectively.
22701
20197
16572
0.15 0.15
11798
7987
0.10 0.10
4763
05
0.00 0.00
0 250 500 750 1000
Distance (m)
Variogram : CU_%
Variogram : CU_%
20197
0.03 0.03
16572
11798
0.02 0.02
7987
4763
0.00 0.00
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Distance (m)
Search Ellipse
Min. Max. Max. Max.
No.
Domain Pass Rotation (°) Ranges(m) No. No. Comp. Comp.
Octant
Comp Comp / Hole /Octant
Z X Z X Y Z
The estimation plan for gold is controlled by lithological units and the calcite potassic unit.
The estimation plan for copper includes a hard boundary between the oxide and sulphide
boundary. Sample sharing is permitted in the transitional zone within 30 m, up and down, of
the oxide/sulphide boundary.
14.9 Density
AMEC used 898 density determination values available to calculate the average for each
lithological unit (Table 14.11). Exeter determines density using the water immersion method
on whole core lengths of approximately 15 cm. Because of high variability in the DP unit, two
values were assigned to this unit based upon alteration type, argillic and potassic plus
calcite-potassic.
AMEC assigned density values to blocks based upon the lithological codes. In AMEC’s and
Cube’s opinion, these density values are reasonable for use in mineral resource estimation
at this level of study.
OB 9 2.17
BASEMENT 225 2.54
VOLCBX 274 2.40
DP-Argillic 27 2.45
DP-Potassic 24 2.58
QDP1 129 2.51
QDP2 78 2.42
DTB 48 2.39
MAC 84 2.43
Blocks
Composites
Mineralization Average CV
No.
No. Average CV Kriged (g/t Au) NN (g/t Au) Kriged/NN Kriged NN Kriged/NN
OB 116 0.18 1.87 1,694 0.14 0.14 100% 1.07 1.60 67%
BASEMENT 1,616 0.36 0.77 55,122 0.24 0.24 100% 0.78 0.91 86%
VOLCBX 2,637 0.40 0.83 56,226 0.26 0.25 104% 0.90 1.04 87%
DP 370 1.04 0.41 7,325 0.84 0.82 102% 0.49 0.59 83%
MAC 598 0.50 0.70 11,595 0.43 0.44 98% 0.38 0.55 69%
QDP1 925 0.42 0.87 12,802 0.40 0.40 100% 0.67 0.79 85%
QDP2 637 0.18 1.58 17,206 0.13 0.12 105% 0.92 1.27 72%
DTB 394 0.03 2.36 12,050 0.02 0.02 100% 1.10 1.56 71%
The OK grade estimates for copper are 100 % equal to the NN grades, illustrating that
copper estimate is not globally biased.
Kriged and NN estimates for silver show a difference in the global mean of less than 5 % for
all domains and AMEC considered the estimate to be within an acceptable range.
14.10.2 Drift Analysis
Spatial bias in the block model can be detected using swath plots. These are obtained by
plotting the average kriged and NN grades along different directions. AMEC used only
blocks estimated in Passes 1 and 2 for this analysis, because these are the blocks
estimated with more information and possibly candidates for measured and indicated
resources.
The OK and NN models show local disagreements, but in AMEC’s opinion, these are not
significant. AMEC visually compared the NN and OK grades and noticed that some
disagreements occur at the borders of the model, where drilling is limited (see Figure 14.16).
Figure 14.16: East-West Swath Plot, Sulphide, Gold (Source: AMEC, 2011)
Figure 14.17: Vertical Section (looking northwest) with Blocks and Composite Grades
for Gold (Corridor of ±100 m) (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)
Au g/t
500m
14.10.4 Smoothing
Kriged estimates are generally used directly for estimating resource tonnages above various
cutoffs. This practice gives correct results, a priori, only at a zero-grade cutoff. At any cutoff
grade that is greater than zero, the smoothing-effect may distort the kriged estimate grade-
tonnage curves. The effective amount of smoothing in the kriged estimates depends on the
variogram model, in particular the nugget-effect and the ranges, and on the composite
selection criteria for kriging. At cutoffs less than the global grade average, the tonnage given
by the kriged estimates will be overestimated, and at cutoffs greater than the global grade
average, it will be underestimated.
There are several techniques to assess and handle this problem. AMEC used a Hermitian
correction method, which consists of:
1) Computing the theoretical dispersion variance of the blocks, knowing the variogram
model of the relevant metals.
2) Transforming the distribution of the declustered composites (NN) so that it reflects a
block support; this is done using a Hermitian correction (Herco).
3) Comparison of the grade-tonnage curve of the Herco transforms with the grade-
tonnage curve of the kriged estimates.
The theoretical block dispersion variances (BDV) of the 25 m x 25 m x 15 m blocks were
calculated for gold using AMEC’s single block kriger (sbkbs.exe).
The BDVs were then used in AMEC’s in-house Herco routine (Herco_04f.exe) to transform
the distribution of the NN. Grade-tonnage curves were generated and are shown in Figure
14.18.
Smoothing can be exacerbated by a number of factors, such as large drill-hole spacing
relative to variogram ranges, high nugget effect and large numbers of composites used in
the estimation. At Caspiche, smoothing varies from one mineralized unit to the other but the
amount of smoothing at around 0.25 g/t Au, which is the approximately operational cut-off, is
relatively limited. Consequently, resources stated at 0.25 g/t Au should not be significantly
over - or under - estimated because of smoothing.
Figure 14.18: Gold Grade-Tonnage Curve, VOLCBX Domain (Source: AMEC, 2011)
Cube vs AMEC
DP + QDP1 Inside Resource Pit
Gold
1.4 350000000
300000000
1.2
250000000
1
200000000
Au ppm
Tonnes
0.8
150000000
0.6
100000000
0.4
50000000
0.2 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Cut-Off
Cube vs AMEC
Sulphide DP + QDP1 Inside Resource Pit
Copper
0.5 350000000
300000000
0.45
250000000
0.4
200000000
Tonnes
Cu %
0.35
150000000
0.3
100000000
0.25
50000000
0.2 0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.3 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.38 0.4
Cut-Off
Parameter Value
Slope Angle (degrees) 43
Mining Cost (US$/t) 1.53
Mining Recovery (%) 100
Mining Dilution Fraction 1
Processing Cost (US$/t) Heap Leaching 3.4
Processing Cost (US$/t) Mill 7.04
Gold Process Recovery (%) Heap Leaching 78
Gold Process Recovery (%) Mill 65
Copper Process Recovery (%) Mill 85
Gold Price (US$/oz) 1,150
Copper Price (US$/lb) 2.50
Gold Selling Cost (US$/oz) 6
Copper Selling Cost (US$/lb) 0.20
The 2010-2011 drilling campaign from Exeter added 6,620 metres of new information,
confirming mineralization and grade continuity. AMEC (2009) defined drill spacing for
achieving Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource classification. From this study AMEC
has concluded:
The Measured Resource criterion (Quarterly 90 % reaching 15 % accuracy) is satisfied
with a drill hole spacing of 75 x 75 m giving a nominal 53 m spacing to farthest sample.
The Indicated Resource criterion (Annually 90 % reaching 15 % accuracy) is satisfied
with a drill hole spacing of 200 x 200 m staggered (with a central hole) that will give a
nominal 100 m spacing to farthest sample.
AMEC created a script to classify blocks into the resource categories. This script verifies
Ordinary Kriging estimation variance, the number of composites and distance of closest
sample used for estimating grades to a block.
AMEC’s criterion for classifying block as Measured is: Three drill holes used and the
closest sample at 53 m or two drill holes used and the closest sample at a maximum
distance of 53 m and the kriging variance associated to a mesh of 75 x 75 m.
AMEC’s criterion for classifying block as Indicated is: Two drill holes used and the closest
sample at 105 m or one drill holes used and the closest sample at a maximum distance of
105 m and kriging variance associated to a mesh of 200 x 200 m (with a central hole).
Blocks that were not classified as Measured or Indicated and have a closest sample at a
maximum distance of 150 m will be placed into the Inferred category.
Because of some inconsistencies with the classification results of the 2010 model for the
MacNeill zone, AMEC used a different approach: Blocks from this zone were selected with
the previous (2010) classification codes and imported to the actual model only Indicated
category blocks. Some of the blocks actually classified as Measured category, according to
the 2011 classification, were overwritten to Indicated, which better represents AMEC’s
opinion for classifying blocks into this specific zone of the deposit.
AMEC addressed the spotted dog feature, common in resource classification based on
mathematical criteria, by running an automated process of smoothing that removed the
isolated blocks or pool of blocks of one category into a different one. Figure 14.21 illustrates
a bench plan, elevation 3,858, before and after the smoothing applied for the classification.
Figure 14.21: Bench Plan Showing Classification Before and After Smoothing
(Source: AMEC, 2011)
500m
The Caspiche Mineral Resources are defined as the blocks of Measured, Indicated or
Inferred categories that lie within the open pit shell determined by the LG optimization
undertaken by AMEC. Figure 14.22 is a vertical section of gold grades illustrating the open
pit mineral resource shell.
Figure 14.22: Vertical Section (looking Northwest) of Gold Grades Showing Open Pit
Resource Shell (Source: Cube Consulting, 2011)
Au g/t
500m
PCu $ / lb RCu %
AuEq g / t Au g / t Cu % 0.06857 g lb / oz 10,000
PAu $ / oz R Au %
where Au and Cu are the block kriged Au and Cu grades, PAu and PCu are the Au and Cu
prices (1,150 US$/oz and 2.50 US$/lb, respectively), and RAu and RCu are the Au and Cu
projected metallurgical recoveries, 65 % and 85 % respectively for sulphide material, and 78
% for Au and 11 % for Cu in the oxide zone.
The cut-off is calculated based on the AuEq value and determined for oxide and sulphide
material. Table 14.14 shows the parameters used on the determination of the marginal cut-
off values and results.
The Caspiche Mineral Resources from the open pit shell are reported in Table 14.15 using
an approximation of the marginal cut-off values defined. The cut-off for oxide material was
incremented to 0.18 g/t for consistency with the recent Prefeasibility Study results for the
oxide zone prepared by Aker Solutions. Only mineralized material contained within the shell
is reported.
The Caspiche mineral resource estimates have been classified and reported in accordance
with the CIM guidelines (CIM 2005) National Instrument NI 43-101.
Table 14.15: Super Pit Option for Mineral Resource for Caspiche (Rodrigo Marinho,
P.GEO, 18 August 2011)
Cut-off Volume Tonnes Au Cu Ag AuEq AuEq
Material Category (ppm) (Mm 3) (Mt) (g/t) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (Moz)
OXIDE Measured Au Eq > 0.18 23 56 0.45 0.01 1.72 0.45 0.81
OXIDE Indicated Au Eq > 0.18 21 50 0.37 0.01 1.57 0.37 0.60
OXIDE Inferred Au Eq > 0.18 4 9 0.27 0.01 1.54 0.27 0.1
SULPHIDE Measured Au Eq > 0.3 163 402 0.56 0.22 1.08 0.98 12.67
SULPHIDE Indicated Au Eq > 0.3 346 853 0.49 0.19 1.10 0.84 22.93
SULPHIDE Inferred Au Eq > 0.3 114 277 0.31 0.13 0.88 0.54 4.9
ALL Measured Combined 186 457 0.55 0.20 1.15 0.92 13.48
ALL Indicated Combined 367 903 0.48 0.18 1.12 0.81 23.53
ALL Inferred Combined 117 286 0.31 0.12 0.89 0.54 4.9
AMEC generated grade-tonnage (GT) curves at different gold equivalent cut-offs for different
material types (oxides and sulphides).
Figure 14.23 and Figure 14.24 show grade-tonnage curves for combined Measured and
Indicated oxide and sulphide material respectively based on gold equivalent cutoffs within
the open pit optimization shell.
Figure 14.23: AuEq GT Curves - Open Pit Oxide Measured + Indicated Mineral
Resources (Source: AMEC, 2011)
Figure 14.24: AuEq GT Curves - Open Pit Sulphide Measured + Indicated Mineral
Resources (Source: AMEC, 2011)
The Super Pit scenario involves the southern portion of the pit rim extending beyond Exeter
mining properties limits; however, no mineral resources in this scenario are located outside
the property boundary. The assumption in this mining scenario is that Exeter will be able to
secure permission from the adjacent property owner to extend the pit limit across the
property boundary to allow this additional waste stripping.
hauling, waste crushing, conveying and spreading, and support costs related to road, bench,
and dump maintenance as well as grade control. The costs also assumed a full
maintenance and repair contract (MARC) for the first three years of operation, thereafter
maintenance is assumed by owner.
The pit is deep and wide so mining cost was defined as a composition of a fixed portion and
an incremental cost relating to pit depth, both referenced to the pit exit (RL 4300). These
parameters were refined to achieve the expected average in-pit mining cost of 1.32 US$/t
achieved after analysis of the unit cost impact of waste crushing and conveying as an
alternative to trucking. (The original trucking average cost was 1.53 US$/t).
Base cost 1.00 US$/t
Incremental 0.025 US$/t-bench below pit exit, 0.015 US$/t-bench above pit exit
Metal prices, processing costs, refining costs, and processing recoveries were provided to
NCL by Exeter and Aker.
External mine haul roads generally consider a 40 m width and 10 % maximum grade, except
for the main access corridor from the north of the pit, where it was necessary to incorporate
multiple conveyor lines, construction and general traffic access, and limited haulage access
to the mine dump locations. This required a total width of 70.5 m as shown in Figure 15.2.
70.5m
Note in the above figure that the haul road width was reduced to 26 m as the frequency of
waste haulage by truck along this access is minimal.
15.2.3 Pit Slope Angles
The overall slope angles used were as recommended by A. Karzulovic & Asoc. Ltda. (AKL)
as set out in their Caspiche pit stability study of February 2011 and updated in August 2011.
The recommendations are summarized in Table 15.3.
Hybrid Pit: In the Hybrid option, selection of the ultimate pit considered three criteria:
positive cash flow, an open pit mine life long enough to develop the engineering and
construction of the underground mine and sufficient contained resources to ensure
continuity in the ore feed during the transition to underground exploitation.
In both cases the ore considered for processing in the optimization was selected based on
the economic value of each block. Material was considered as ore if the revenue of the block
exceeded the mining and processing cost. The revenue was based on net gold, copper and
silver prices after refining charges and royalties had been deducted.
Once a minimum economic block value had been established neither a minimum cutoff
grade nor raised cutoff metal grade was applied. Dilution and ore losses were not
considered in this stage for the reasons noted previously.
15.2.6 Whittle® Four-X Economic Shells Results
Only Measured and Indicated resources were used to complete the pit optimization of the
Super Pit and Hybrid options. In the Hybrid option, the underground and open pit
competition mode was considered in the pit optimization process in order to define the
breakeven pit shell.
Table 15.5 and Table 15.6 illustrate the contained ore tonnes and grades by nested pit
series for the Super Pit and Hybrid options respectively.
7
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
8
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
Based on the overall project economic evaluation completed by Aker Solutions the Super Pit
option provides the best return and is the preferred option for evaluation at feasibility study
level.
All reserves for the Caspiche project have been evaluated for the three options considered,
however those reserves pertaining to the Super Pit option should be given particular
consideration when evaluating the report and its conclusions.
Figure 15.3 illustrates the nested pit series for the Super Pit option as a relationship between
the contained equivalent gold ounces and stripping ratio. For simplicity the equivalent gold
content has been estimated from a relation between metal prices.
Gold prices lower than 410 US$/oz represent the oxide cap. From there to a price of
610 US$/oz, the contained metal increases rapidly with a low stripping ratio. A rapid climb in
the stripping ratio is noted up to a gold price of 750 US$/oz. The rapid increase in the
stripping ratio indicates the progressive expansion of the high wall, where the incremental
ratio is higher than in other zones of the pit and the metal contained below is more
expensive to extract.
Over 750 US$/oz, the contained metal curve becomes gentle and parallel to the stripping
ratio. The stripping ratio represents progressively smaller expansions of the pit around the
main orebody to reach deeper resources.
Figure 15.3: Stripping Ratio Versus Contained Metal – Super Pit Option
35,000 3.50
Contained Equivalent Gold Metal (k Ounces)
30,000 3.00
25,000 2.50
Strip Ratio
20,000 2.00
15,000 1.50
10,000 1.00
5,000 0.50
0 0.00
161
196
230
265
299
334
368
403
437
472
506
541
575
610
644
679
713
748
782
817
851
886
920
955
989
1,024
1,058
1,093
1,127
1,162
1,196
1,231
1,265
Figure 15.4 illustrates the nested pit series for the Hybrid option with the same relationship
between contained equivalent gold ounces and the stripping ratio.
For every step of the pit, a trade-off against exploitation by underground mining was made
and as a result the change in stripping ratio has the same trend as the contained metal.
16,000 1.40
14,000
1.20
12,000
1.00
Strip Ratio
10,000
0.80
8,000
0.60
6,000
0.40
4,000
2,000 0.20
0 0.00
161
196
230
265
299
334
368
403
437
472
506
541
575
610
644
679
713
748
782
817
863
897
943
978
1,024
1,058
1,104
1,139
1,185
1,231
Gold Price ($/oz)
Ultimate Pit
Contained Eq Au Metal Strip Ratio
The ore tonnes reported within the ultimate pits are composed of oxide, MacNeill and
sulphide material. The oxide tonnage is similar for the Super Pit and Hybrid options: 130 Mt
of ore with average gold and silver head grades of 0.36 g/t and 1.59 g/t, respectively.
The Super Pit option contains 893 Mt of sulphide ore with average gold, copper and silver
head grades of 0.58 g/t, 0.24 % and 1.13 g/t, respectively. The Hybrid option pit contains
415 Mt of sulphide ore with average gold, copper and silver head grade of 0.60 g/t, 0.22 %
and 1.12 g/t, respectively.
The MacNeill ore tonnes in the Super Pit option are 83 Mt with average gold and silver head
grades of 0.50 g/t and 1.05 g/t, respectively. In the Hybrid option, the ore tonnage amounts
to 72 Mt with average gold and silver head grades of 0.49 g/t and 1.04 g/t, respectively.
Table 15.7 summarizes the ore tonnes and grades for each option.
Figure 15.5 illustrates the ultimate pit shell for both options.
9
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
Table 15.8: Key Parameters for the Heap Leach Open Pit Optimization
Figure 15.6 illustrates the nested pit series for the heap leach open pit option as a
relationship between the contained equivalent gold ounces and stripping ratio. For simplicity
the equivalent gold content has been estimated from a relation between metal prices.
Figure 15.6: Stripping Ratio Versus Contained Metal – Heap Leach Stand Alone (Full
Underground option)
The ore tonnes reported within the ultimate pits are composed of oxide and MacNeill only.
The oxide tonnage is lower than the Super Pit and Hybrid options. MacNeill tonnage is in the
same range. From a price of 414 US$/oz to 874 US$/oz, the contained metal increases
rapidly with a low stripping ratio. A rapid climb in the stripping ratio and contained metal is
noted up to a gold price of 932 US$/oz.
Table 15.9 and Figure 15.7 illustrate the Whittle results for the pit optimizations based on
these criteria.
Heap leach
112 0.39 1.57 74 0.55 1.12 151 337 2.70 8.29
Pit
The optimal pit for the heap leach operation contains a total of 186 Mt of ore with a gold and
silver average grade of 0.45 g/t and 1.39 g/t respectively.
15.3 Open Pit Mineral Reserves
Using the ultimate pit shells as a starting point, practical pit designs which incorporate
access and logical development using phases identified from intermediate Whittle shells
were completed.
15.3.1 Final Pit Designs
A set of nested pit shells was obtained from the pit optimization and used as guides for the
design of the intermediate phases and ultimate pit. The general design parameters used in
the detailed pit design are those listed previously. Other parameters are listed below.
15.3.1.1 Super Pit and Hybrid Pit
The bench height used for design is 15 m, matching the block height and the selected
loading equipment.
The slope parameters used for pit design were those recommended by AKL and
described in the previous section (see Table 15.3). The actual slope angle input into
Whittle was adjusted to include the anticipated number of access ramps in each wall
generated from earlier studies. This ensured that practical pit designs closely
approximated the Whittle shell used for defining ore reserves and the ultimate pit.
A pushback width of 120 m was considered to provide space for two rope shovels and
access for haulage and support equipment onto the bench. A minimum of 100 m was
accepted to meet scheduling constraints, with one rope shovel digging area and good
accessibility for hauling and other services.
The pit designs consider double exits on the west and north side of the pit providing
access to the primary ore and waste crushers, to the leach pad and leach pad stockpiles
and to the waste dumps.
15.3.1.2 Oxide/MacNeill Pit (Within the Full Underground Option)
The bench height used for design is 15 m, matching the block height and the selected
loading equipment.
The slope parameters used for pit design were those recommended by AKL for the
Hybrid and Super Pit options.
For in-pit access, 26 m wide ramps at a 10 % grade were designed
A pushback width of 80 m was considered to provide space for loading equipment and
access for haulage and support equipment onto the bench.
Figure 15.8, Figure 15.9, and Figure 15.10 show the final pit design of the Super Pit, Hybrid,
and Oxide/McNeill pit options respectively.
Note that in Figure 15.8, an in-pit platform for the establishment of four in-pit waste crushers
is incorporated during the life of the mine. The location of this platform was established
during the scoping level in-pit crushing studies completed in June 2011 by NCL, and
optimized during this study. The in-pit crushing elements are discussed in more detail in
Section 16.
Figure 15.10: Final Pit Design – Oxide/McNeill Pit: Full Underground Option
In the Hybrid option, the defined pit has been divided into eight mining phases based on
optimized nested pit shell guidance. The mining sequence is similar to the Super Pit option,
however the final pit is smaller and no in-pit crusher platform is required.
Figure 15.11 and Figure 15.12 illustrate examples of the mining sequence of the Super Pit
and the Hybrid option, respectively. Each individual mining phase is represented as one
bench.
The heap leach stand alone pit has been developed in five mining phases, three containing
oxide material and two additional phases containing MacNeill material:
Phase 1 targets the most profitable area in the center part of the pit. This phase contains
oxide material only.
Phase 2 mines the eastern part of the pit. This phase maintains the same shallow and
wide characteristics of Phase 1. Phase 2 has greater resources than Phase 1, but with a
lower gold grade. This phase contains oxide material only.
Phase 3 expands to the west area of the pit. Similar grades and strip ratio to those of
Phase 2 are obtained. This phase contains oxide material only
Phase 4 continues expanding to the south west and increases pit depth Most of the ore
corresponds to MacNeill material. Grades are better but at a higher strip ratio than
previous phases.
Phase 5 mines the south western part of the pit. More than 99 % of the ore contained in
Phase 5 is MacNeill. Grades and strip ratio are similar to Phase 4.
Figure 15.13 illustrates the mining sequence and final pit.
Table 15.10: Super Pit Option – Design Versus Ultimate Pit Shell Comparison
Ultimate Mine Difference
Item
Shell Design (%)
Oxide Ore (Mt) 130 130 0
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.36 0.36 0
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.59 1.59 0
MacNeill Ore (Mt) 83 84 1
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.50 0.50 0
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.05 1.05 0
Sulphide Ore (Mt) 893 889 0
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.58 0.58 0
Copper Grade (%) 0.24 0.24 -1
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.13 1.13 0
Contained Gold Metal (M oz) 19.4 19.4 0
Contained Copper Metal (M t) 2.2 2.1 -1
Contained Silver Metal (M oz) 16.4 16.3 0
Total Ore + Waste (Mt) 4,219 4,486 6
Strip Ratio 3.1 3.4 9
Figure 15.14: Super Pit Option – Plots of Ultimate Pit Shell Compared to Mine Design
Table 15.11: Hybrid Option – Design Versus Ultimate Pit Shell Comparison
Ultimate Mine Difference
Item
Shell Design (%)
Oxide Ore (Mt) 130 130 0
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.36 0.36 0
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.59 1.59 0
MacNeill Ore (Mt) 72 74 3
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.49 0.49 0
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.04 1.04 0
Sulphide Ore (Mt) 415 417 0
Gold Grade (g/t) 0.60 0.59 -1
Copper Grade (%) 0.22 0.22 -1
Silver Grade (g/t) 1.12 1.12 0
Contained Gold Metal (M oz) 10.6 10.6 0
Contained Copper Metal (M t) 0.9 0.9 0
Contained Silver Metal (M oz) 12.0 12.1 1
Total Ore + Waste (Mt) 1,418 1,506 6
Strip Ratio 1.6 1.8 10
Figure 15.15: Hybrid Option – Plots of Ultimate Pit Shell Compared to Mine Design
Table 15.12: Heap Leach Stand Alone Pit - Design Versus Ultimate Pit Shell
Comparison
Item
Ultimate Shell Mine Design Difference
Ore quantity indicates a 1.3 % difference, but since contained metal is only 1.8 % lower in
the designed pit, all the differences are considered as being within acceptable ranges.
Figure 15.16: Oxide/MacNeill Pit – Plots of Ultimate Pit Shell Compared to Mine
Design
Table 15.13: Super Pit Option – Contained Ore Tonnes and Grade by Phase
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore Waste Total Rock Contained Metal
Strip Eq
Pit Au Ag Au Ag Au Cu Ag Au Cu Ag
Mt Mt Mt Mt Mt Ratio Au10
(g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) (Moz) (Mt) (Moz)
(Moz)
F00 33 0.33 2.07 0 0.00 0.00 1 0.39 0.12 1.66 20 54 0.59 0.4 0.0 2.3 0.4
F01 21 0.25 1.82 0 0.50 1.07 14 0.43 0.15 1.34 95 130 2.73 0.4 0.0 1.8 0.5
F02 36 0.42 1.58 0 0.43 0.74 32 0.59 0.23 1.10 14 82 0.21 1.1 0.1 3.0 1.5
F03 20 0.43 1.18 1 0.38 1.13 48 0.57 0.22 1.04 157 225 2.32 1.2 0.1 2.4 1.7
F05 15 0.40 0.98 8 0.43 0.94 53 0.65 0.23 0.96 76 151 1.12 1.4 0.1 2.3 2.0
F06 5 0.33 0.97 5 0.51 0.70 51 0.62 0.22 0.96 81 142 1.46 1.2 0.1 1.8 1.7
F07 0 0.18 1.06 13 0.52 1.22 76 0.58 0.24 1.11 291 381 3.79 1.6 0.2 3.2 2.6
F09 0 0.24 0.86 25 0.51 1.00 103 0.65 0.24 1.20 330 459 3.19 2.6 0.3 4.8 3.9
F11 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.29 0.46 68 0.62 0.27 0.92 406 474 5.97 1.4 0.2 2.0 2.3
F13 0 0.00 0.00 18 0.45 1.07 86 0.56 0.22 1.24 205 309 2.39 1.8 0.2 4.0 2.8
F14 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 85 0.63 0.28 1.00 512 597 6.03 1.7 0.2 2.7 2.9
F15 0 0.00 0.00 14 0.53 1.13 273 0.52 0.24 1.25 1,195 1,482 4.38 4.8 0.7 11.5 8.1
Total 130 0.36 1.59 84 0.50 1.05 889 0.58 0.24 1.13 3,383 4,486 3.32 18.0 2.1 39.0 30.0
10
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
Table 15.14: Hybrid Option – Contained Ore Tonnes and Grade by Phase
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore Waste Ore + Waste Contained Metal
Strip Eq
Pit Au Ag Au Ag Au Cu Ag Au Cu Ag
Mt Mt Mt Mt Mt Ratio Au11
(g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) (Moz) (Mt) (Moz)
(Moz)
F00 33 0.33 2.07 0 0.00 0.00 1 0.39 0.12 1.66 20 54 0.59 0.4 0.0 2.3 0.4
F01 21 0.25 1.82 0 0.50 1.07 14 0.43 0.15 1.34 95 130 2.73 0.4 0.0 1.8 0.5
F02 36 0.42 1.58 0 0.43 0.73 32 0.60 0.23 1.10 15 83 0.21 1.1 0.1 3.0 1.5
F03 17 0.42 1.21 1 0.39 0.88 57 0.55 0.22 1.03 160 234 2.16 1.2 0.1 2.5 1.9
F04 14 0.44 1.00 10 0.44 0.99 48 0.61 0.23 0.99 68 140 1.09 1.3 0.1 2.3 1.9
F05 8 0.33 0.94 8 0.51 0.74 58 0.66 0.22 0.93 80 153 1.21 1.4 0.1 2.2 2.1
F06 0 0.17 0.96 2 0.53 0.62 75 0.62 0.24 1.16 192 270 2.53 1.5 0.2 2.9 2.4
F07 0 0.20 1.09 53 0.50 1.12 132 0.58 0.22 1.25 256 442 1.93 3.3 0.3 7.2 4.8
Total 130 0.36 1.59 74 0.49 1.04 417 0.59 0.22 1.12 885 1,506 1.62 10.6 0.9 24.2 15.5
Table 15.15: Oxide/MacNeill Pit – Contained Ore Tonnes and Grade by Phase (Full Underground Option)
Oxide Ore McNeill Leached Ore Waste Total Rock
Phase
Kt Au g/t Ag g/t Kt Au g/t Ag g/t kt kt
11
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
As noted in 15.2.6 the Super Pit option is the preferred alternative to be developed to
feasibility study level. As such particular consideration of Table 15.13 should be made when
evaluating the project.
Table 15.16 Open Pit Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM,
October 2011)
Open Pit Mineral Proven and Probable Mineral
Reserves
Au Ag Au Cu Ag Au Cu Ag
Mt Mt Mt
g/t g/t g/t % g/t g/t % g/t
Super Pit 124 0.38 1.62 78 0.51 0.07 1.05 889 0.58 0.24 1.13
Hybrid 124 0.38 1.62 70 0.50 0.07 1.05 417 0.59 0.22 1.12
Full UG 112 0.39 1.57 74 0.55 0.11 1,12
The contained ore tonnes listed in Tables 15.13, 15.14 and 15.15 above represent in-pit
reserves in practically designed open-pits. However in the case of Oxide and MacNeill
mineralization, mine scheduling to allow access to sulphide material at the earliest practical
date results in the need to mine and stockpile these two ore types on surface and reclaim
them later for processing. The additional cost of re-handling this material were estimated at
0.49 US$/tonne and as a result, in the Super Pit option, approximately 6Mt of oxides and 2
Mt MacNeill did not deliver sufficient value to cover this additional cost, and have been
dropped from final Reserves quoted in 15.16.
The Super Pit option is the preferred alternative to be developed to feasibility study level. As
such particular consideration of Table 15.16 should be made when evaluating the project.
Preliminary geotechnical studies of the rock mass were completed to establish ‘caveability’
and fragmentation for a block caving method. From the current available information, the
studies indicate the rock is not significantly different from primary rock in other porphyry
copper deposits in Chile currently using this method (e.g. El Salvador, Andina, El Teniente).
The estimate of mineral reserves for block caving requires the inclusion of material with
lower than the economic grade limit that cannot be separated and must be sent to the plant
with the rest of the ore (dilution).
Figure 15.17 shows schematically the blending process within the ore column the process of
block valuation. A diluted grade model was generated with the same block definition as the
in situ model, the diluted grades resulting from blending the material of the blocks that form
the ore column. Each block was assigned a new grade value, without discriminating
fractions of ore and waste within these units.
The Laubscher dilution model was applied to calculate the diluted model, considering a 60
% Dilution Entry Point (DEP). Following current industry practice a maximum ore column
height of 500 m was also applied. The grade of the waste material in the blend was
assumed as zero.
-20
Dilution Cut off criteria
30
Revenue >= 0
50
Ore 80
160
200
Undercut Level
In situ Nivel
Block de
Model Diluted Nivel
Block de
Model 150
Valuation
120
100
The cut-off criteria used to determine the ore/waste limit was the maximum cumulative profit
of the ore column, such that every block that added value to the ore column was included
until the total ore column profit was maximized. Blocks above that limit were considered as
waste and not included as part of the mineable reserves. The economic parameters used for
the determination of the mineable reserves are summarized in Table 15.17.
An analysis of the best elevations to locate the undercut levels was carried out considering
that the upper part of the deposit will be mined by open pit methods.
The results for the underground portion of the Hybrid option are presented in Table 15.18:
Table 15.18: Hybrid Option – Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM, October
2011)
UG Mine - Sulphide Ore Contained Metal
Undercut Level Au Ag Eq Au12
Mt Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (Mt)
(Moz) (Moz) (Moz)
UC 3400 242 0.70 0.33 1.29 5.5 0.8 10.0 9.5
The best value was obtained with undercut level located at RL 3400. For this case the
diluted mineable underground reserves are 242 Mt of ore with an average grade of 0.70 g/t
Au and 0.33 % Cu. The total area of the mining footprint is 206,322 m2.
Figure 15.18 illustrates the relative position of the undercut level in relation to the pit limit.
12
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
The same exercise was carried out for the Full Underground option, using the same
technical and economic parameters as the Hybrid case. An initial analysis was performed,
considering natural topography, for the best elevations to locate the undercut levels.
The best values were obtained with undercut levels located at RL 3655, RL 3505 and RL
3190. For this case the diluted underground mineable reserves are 401 Mt of ore with an
average grade of 0.69 g/t Au and 0.30 % Cu. The total area of the mining footprint is
356,875 m2. The results are summarized in Table 15.19.
Figure 15.19 illustrates the relative position of the undercut levels considering natural
topography.
These contained reserves are the basis for the mine design and production schedule.
15.4.1 Underground Mineral Reserves
The estimate of proven and probable reserves for block caving requires the inclusion of
material with lower than the economic grade limit that cannot be separated and must be sent
to the plant with the rest of the ore.
The underground reserves for each option are presented in Table 15.20.
13
Eq Au [Moz] = Au [Moz] + Cu [Mt] * Copper Price * 2204.62 / Gold Price + Ag [Moz] * Silver Price / Gold Price
Table 15.20: Underground Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman,
CChM, October 2011)
Underground Mineral Reserves - Sulphide Ore
Option
Mt Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t)
Super Pit
Hybrid 242 0.70 0.33 1.29
Full UG 401 0.69 0.30 1.27
The previous figures include 3 Mt of waste material for the Hybrid option and 14 Mt of waste
material for the Full Underground option. That material corresponds to dilution in the block
cave method and its grade has been assumed as zero.
15.5 Reportable Mineral Reserves Statement by Scenario
Table 15.21 to 15.23 summarize the proven and probable reserves derived from the
measured and indicated resources for all three mining options. As the Super Pit option is the
preferred alternative to be developed to feasibility study level, particular attention should be
taken in Table 15.21 and the assumptions there under.
NCL considers the measured and indicated mineral resource, contained within the open pit
and the underground design mineral reserve to be estimated in accordance with the CIM
definitions.
Table 15.21: Super Pit Case - Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM, October
2011)
Super Pit
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 321 0,62 0,26 1,10 7,3 0,8 14,8
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 74 0,51 0,07 1,08 568 0,55 0,23 1,15 11,9 1,3 26,6
Total 124 0,38 1,62 78 0,51 0,07 1,05 889 0,58 0,24 1,13 19,3 2,1 41,5
Table 15.22: Hybrid Case - Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM, October 2011)
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 273 0,65 0,27 1,13 6,6 0,7 13,4
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 65 0,51 0,07 1,07 387 0,62 0,25 1,21 9,4 1,0 20,4
Total 124 0,38 1,62 70 0,50 0,07 1,05 660 0,63 0,26 1,18 16,0 1,7 33,8
Table 15.23: Full Underground Case Case - Mineral Reserves (Carlos Guzman,
CChM, October 2011)
Full Underground
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Option Mt Au g/t Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Au oz Cu t Ag oz
Proven 57 0,43 1,69 7 0,47 0,11 0,82 158 0,72 0,31 1,22 4,5 0,5 9,5
Probable 55 0,34 1,44 67 0,56 0,11 1,16 243 0,67 0,29 1,30 7,0 0,7 15,1
Total 112 0,39 1,57 74 0,55 0,11 1,12 400 0,69 0,30 1,27 11,6 1,2 24,6
Figure 16.1 and Figure 16.2 illustrate the general layout of the underground mine design of
the Hybrid and Full Underground options, respectively.
For the production level, a typical draw pattern was adopted. This has an area of 195 m2 per
draw-point, with 26 m between production drifts and 13 m between draw bell lines, as shown
in Figure 16.3:
The adopted general concept for the mine considers the following issues:
Production level 20 m below the undercut level. At this level, LHD units would transport
the ore to ore passes located within the footprint.
Secondary haulage level located 60 m below the production level. At this level trucks
would transport the ore to the primary gyratory crusher.
Main haulage level located at the elevation of the discharge of the crusher, 60 m below
the secondary haulage (start of main conveyor belt to the plant)
Figure 16.4 to Figure 16.7 illustrate the arrangement of the different levels that constitute the
underground mine: Undercut, ventilation, haulage and conveyor levels.
This concept has been applied in UCL 3190 of the Hybrid option and UCL 3655 and UCL
3190 of the Full Underground option.
For the Super Pit and Hybrid options, the oxide ore is mined as a result of sulphide ore
requirement during the initial five years of mine life. An oxide feed rate of 26 Mt per year has
been calculated as the optimum based on the oxide crushing plant capacity for the crush
size required, the leach pad area, and the need to achieve satisfactory leaching
characteristics; balanced against minimizing stockpiling and re-handle during development
of the underlying sulphide reserves. Once oxide reserves are exhausted, leachable MacNeill
ore, produced as part of the overall mining operation, is crushed and leached at a rate of
12 Mt per year. The throughput for MacNeill material is less than that for oxide as the rock is
considered as being more competent than the oxide.
The total rock movement (ore and waste) for the open pit options is as follows
Super Pit option : Average 655,000 t/d (max 909,000 t/d) with 19 years Life of
Mine (LoM)
Hybrid option : Average 380,000 t/d (max 550,000 t/d) with 11 years LoM.
The pre-stripping schedule for the open pit considers fill material requirements for
construction of the main installations, corresponding to crusher platforms, starter platform for
the heap leach pad, as well as ore and waste conveyor corridors amongst others.
The Super Pit option is the preferred option to be developed to Feasibility level, as such
particular attention should be made to the Super Pit values and parameters used throughout
this section.
Table 16.2 and Table 16.3 summarize the total construction tonnage required for the Super
Pit and Hybrid options.
Table 16.2: Waste Material Requirements for Construction – Super Pit Option
3 Tonnage (t @
Requirement for construction Volume (m )
2.0 t/m3)
Truck Dump Pocket / Primary Crushing (Oxide) 14,300 28,600
Primary Crushing (Sulphide Ore) 17,990 35,980
Main Conveyor Corridor (Ore) 2,597,100 5,194,200
Main Conveyor Corridor (Waste) 24,260,402 48,520,804
Heap Leach First platform 8,465,810 16,931,620
Heap Leach basal improvement 634,310 1,268,620
Total 35,989,912 71,979,824
The underground mine schedules were estimated by NCL using a scheduling tool (Block
Cave) without detailed engineering analysis of the mining sequence and geotechnical
restrictions. The schedules take into account the extraction rates and ensure that the new
area incorporated each year is, in general, within the range of 40,000 m2 per annum per
face.
The underground mining rate has been defined by reference to existing operations of a
similar size in terms of footprint and ore column heights. The production rate is 80 ktpd of
ore per day based on having two production faces in parallel at 40 ktpd each. This is similar
to the size of faces at Andina III Panel, Teniente Esmeralda, Teniente 4 and others.
The Hybrid mine schedule indicates a gap in production in the years between completion of
the open pit and start of the underground mine. This is due to the limitations of the overlap
between both operations and the ramp up period of the underground mine. This gap will be
filled by reclaiming low grade ore from the stockpile produced during open pit operation.
Figure 16.8 and Figure 16.9 show the open pit mining schedule for the Super Pit and the
Hybrid options respectively.
The underground contribution and the total mining schedule for the Hybrid and Full
Underground options are shown in Figure 16.10 and Figure 16.11 respectively:
Figure 16.10: Hybrid Option – Open Pit and Underground Mine Contribution
Annual push back, or phase, development for the Full Open Pit and the Hybrid options are
presented in Figure 16.12 and Figure 16.13.
300,000
F15
F14
250,000
F13
F11
Tonnage (kt / yr)
200,000
F09
F07
150,000 F06
F05
F03
100,000
F02
F01
50,000
F00
0
Y-2 Y-1 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Y14 Y15 Y16 Y17 Y18
Figure 16.13: Hybrid Option – Total Material by Mining Phase – Open Pit
200,000
180,000
160,000
F07
140,000
F06
Tonnage (kt / yr)
120,000 F05
100,000 F04
F03
80,000
F02
60,000
F01
40,000 F00
20,000
0
Y-1 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10
The Super Pit development requires 6 to 7 phases working simultaneously. The open pit in
the Hybrid case has a maximum of 5 phases working per year.
Figure 16.14 and Figure 16.15 illustrate the required vertical development for each plan.
80.0
70.0 F15
F14
60.0 F13
F11
N° Benches / yr
50.0 F09
F07
40.0
F06
F05
30.0
F03
F02
20.0
F01
10.0 F00
0.0
Y-2 Y-1 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Y14 Y15 Y16 Y17 Y18
50.0
F07
40.0 F06
N° Benches / yr
F05
30.0 F04
F03
20.0 F02
F01
10.0 F00
0.0
Y-2 Y-1 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09
The maximum vertical development is achieved in the preproduction period. However, the
tonnage contribution from the initial benches is minimal, and the numbers of benches mined
per year is regarded as practically achievable.
The heap leach stand-alone open pit development requires 2 to 3 phases working
simultaneously. Annual phase development is presented in Figure 16.16. The required
vertical development for that plan is presented in Figure 16.17.
Figure 16.16: Full Underground Option – Total Material by Mining Phase – Heap Leach
Open Pit
Figure 16.17: Full Underground Option – Benches per Year – Heap Leach Open Pit
conventional truck dump construction. A compacted dam wall face was designed to
generate the required retaining wall stability and level of impermeability, but the use of bulk
fill using the IPCC system removed the requirement for an engineered self-supporting
tailings retaining wall structure.
16.5.1 Equipment Selection Criteria – IPCC
The equipment selected for waste crushing, conveying and spreading was supplied by
Sandvik Mining and Construction (SMC), who were contracted to develop the IPCC systems
and procedures to ensure that a practical result was obtained.
The IPCC equipment selected is summarized in Table 16.4.
Table 16.4: IPCC Equipment for Super Pit and Hybrid Pit
Equipment Characteristics Machine Type
Gyratory Crushers 10,500 tph @100MPa Sandvik CG880 65x119in
Overland Pit Conveyor 21,000 tph; 2400 mm wide Sandvik ST 4500
Track Shiftable Conveyor 21,000 tph; 2400 mm wide Sandvik ST 2500
Spreaders 21,000 tph Sandvik SP2000 50/50
The crusher throughput is a critical aspect of the IPCC system performance. Sandvik
provided the following specifications for the system to ensure the requisite long term
average throughput of 10,500 tph was achievable.
No more than 2 % of material over 150 Mpa rock strength
Rock fragmentation typical for copper mine waste blasting; max. fragment feed size
1200 mm.
Open Side Setting (OSS) at 280 mm to produce maximum fragment sizing +/- 500 mm
Conveyor widths of 2,400 mm to handle the maximum fragment size
The Super Pit and Hybrid open pit options were those evaluated for the IPCC solution and
the main characteristics of each option are as follows:
Development of the Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) dam using the North Stockpile
crushing and conveying system and with an engineered dam face design developed by
Knight Pièsold.
Throughput capacities of 10,500 tph for each gyratory crusher and 21,000 tph for each
main conveyors and spreader system for a total operational capacity of 42,000 tph or +/-
260 Mtpa for two systems with 4 crushers.
Figure 16.18 and Figure 16.19 show the layout of the resulting waste stockpiles and IPCC
infrastructure at the end of construction (end of Year -1) and the end of the mine life
respectively for the Super Pit.
North
Waste N
Stockpile
Conveyor
Corridor
Primary Crusher
LeachPad
Stock
Leach Pad
1000 m
Leach Pad
Crusher Waste EPCC
North
N
Waste
Stockpile
Tailings
Tailings Dam
Conveyor
Corridor
Leach Pad
1000 m
Waste
Waste Conveyor
Stockpile Corridor N
Leach Pad
Stockpile
Waste
Ore Conveyor Crusher
Corridor
Primary
Sulphide
Crusher
Stockpile
Leach Pad
Pit
1000 m
Leach Pad
Crusher
Waste
Conveyor
Waste Corridor N
Stockpile
Waste
Crusher
Ore Conveyor
Corridor
Primary
Crusher Sulphide
Stockpile
Leach Pad
1000 m
Final
Leach Pad Pit
Crusher
Calendar Time: The amount of hours in a calendar year. At 24 hours per day
and 365 operating days per year, the total calendar hours per
year are 8,760 hours.
Available Hours: Schedule Hours less the amount of downtime for the piece of
equipment.
Downtime: When the unit is not mechanically operable. This includes all
planned and unplanned maintenance.
Net Operating Gross Operating Hours less Delays. The net Operating
Hours: These hours are used for determining fleet size
requirements.
Delays: When the unit is operable and manned, but is not involved in
production (i.e., fuelling, positioning, daily service, crusher
down, drill and loader moves, shovel, walking, face
preparation, highwall scaling, personal breaks, delays for
blasts, operator changes and waiting on shovel).
Table 16.5 provides an example of the time calculation for the major units of equipment
based on the experience of NCL and that of similar operations to Caspiche.
Table 16.6 shows an equivalent Time Usage Model (TUM) developed for the North Dump
IPCC System. In particular, the anticipated relocation losses for the IPCC system during
Year 2 are included, and this was then taken into account when the overall availability was
calculated (refer to the rows under CALENDAR HOURS).
In addition, where there were multiple components (crusher, multiple conveyors and
spreader), then the total downtime was adjusted to allow for the interrelationship between
the components. For example, it was not always possible to carry out opportunity
maintenance on conveyors or a spreader when unscheduled downtime occurred on a
crusher. So, whilst the downtimes are not cumulative, there is some increase in downtime
over the individual component downtimes. This is basic binomial probability theory, but in
order to project accurately it would be necessary to know the Mean Time Between Failures
(MTBF) and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) for each component so that a mathematical
simulation could be made. However, for this level of study, existing mine operating
availability data was used and a normal maintenance strategy incorporated so as to
determine an acceptable factor.
For a simple system with two crushers (with separate sacrificial belts), one overland
conveyor, two Track Shiftable Conveyors (TSC’s) and one spreader, a 1.25 multiplier on
downtime over the highest component downtime (hours) was deemed acceptable, and this
is shown on the “Breakdowns” line for the System availability below. For this particular
system and year, it can be seen that the losses due to relocations were significant.
Conservative estimates of the relocation downtimes were used as recommended by SMC,
and these could be improved with operating experience.
Table 16.7 shows the relocation losses used in the study for the conveyor systems to the
waste dumps.
Relocation trailer
4 Weeks Allowance made for Crusher
Hybrid Crusher Relocation 672
Relocation using 660 t Crane and trailer
Note that relocation of the entire spreading system (from one level of a stockpile to another)
is required from time to time. These longer downtimes were scheduled into the production
plan. The crushers were also relocated during the life of the project, and some 7 weeks was
allowed for these relocations, assuming that all civil works for the new installations were
planned, scheduled and completed ahead of the relocation. Accordingly, downtime was
estimated as the time to dismantle and relocate the major equipment from the crusher
station(s). Only one crusher was relocated in any calendar year.
Table 16.9: Hybrid Option – Main Mobile Equipment Requirements – Open Pit
Main Equipment Y-03 Y-02 Y-01 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Y14 Y15 Y16 Y17 Y18
Open Pit
FEL 38 m3 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
Electric Rope Shovel 56 m3 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haul Truck 360 t 17 19 28 30 34 35 27 35 37 37 26 21 9 7 6 4 3 2 2 2 1
Electric Drill 250-311 mm 3 3 4 6 6 7 7 7 7 5 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Diesel Drill 250-311 mm 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Support Drill 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bulldozer 650 HP 3 3 4 4 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bulldozer 850 HP 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Wheeldozer 550 HP 2 2 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wheeldozer 900 HP 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Motorgrader 300 HP 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Motorgrader 530 HP 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Water Truck 85 m3 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Backhoe 5-8 yd3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuel Truck 85 m3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lube Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Support Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Mobile Crane 200 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lowboy Truck 110 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tire Handler 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lighting Plant 4x1000 W 8 9 13 17 17 18 17 17 17 13 9 8 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1
In this study, the underground mine development is considered as being executed under contract, thus company
owned equipment is required only from the start of underground production in year nine of the operation.
Table 16.11: Full Underground Option – Main Equipment Requirements for the Open Pit
Main Equipment Y-01 Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10 Y11 Y12
Open Pit
FEL 19m3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Hydraulic Shovel 29 m3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1
Haul Truck 185 t 14 13 12 13 16 12 15 16 15 12 9 10 9
Diesel Drill 250-311 mm 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1
Support Drill 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Bulldozer 650 HP 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1
Wheeldozer 550 HP 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1
Motorgrader 300 HP 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Water Truck 85 m3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Backhoe 5-8 yd3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fuel Truck 85 m3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lube Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Support Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Mobile Crane 200 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lowboy Truck 110 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Tire Handler 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lighting Plant 4x1000 W 6 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 4
Table 16.12: Full Underground Option – Main Equipment Requirements for the Underground Mine
Main Equipment Y12 Y13 Y14 Y15 Y16 Y17 Y18 Y19 Y20 Y21 Y22 Y23 Y24 Y25 Y26 Y27 Y28 Y29 Y30 Y31 Y32 Y33
Underground Mine
LHD 10 yd3 2 7 11 16 23 26 28 30 34 30 24 24 24 25 24 18 16 16 15 15 15 6
Haul Truck 80 t 0 0 1 2 3 5 6 8 10 14 17 17 17 17 13 8 4 4 0 0 0 0
Secondary Reduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 5 5 5 6 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 2
Pick hammer 2 3 12 18 22 30 39 47 53 60 60 60 49 51 36 29 19 13 5 5 5 3
Explosives Loader 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2
Services truck 2 3 5 6 8 9 9 10 11 11 8 8 8 10 9 7 7 7 4 4 4 3
Lifting Platform 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 3 3 3 3
Grader 2 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 3 3 3 3
Ambulance 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2
Main Fans 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 4 2 2 2 2
Secondary Fans 17 33 57 73 78 86 96 104 110 89 63 63 51 61 54 48 42 37 29 29 24 10
Table 16.13: Mining Equipment for the Super Pit and Hybrid Cases
The stand-alone heap leach pit equipment selection considered that the entire mine will be
diesel operated. The equipment selected is summarized in Table 16.14.
Table 16.14: Equipment Selection for the Stand Alone Heap Leach
Equipment Characteristics Machine Type
Drill 10 5/8” to 12 ¼” DMM-3 Atlas Copco
FEL 19 m 3 WA 1200-Komatsu
3
Hydraulic Shovel 29 m PC 5500-Komatsu
Haul Truck 185 t 730 E-Komatsu
Bulldozer 650 HP D10T-Caterpillar
Wheeldozer 550 HP 834H-Caterpillar
Motorgrader 300 HP 16M-Caterpillar
3
Water Truck 85 m 777 F-Caterpillar
Supplier names and equipment types are provided for orientation purposes only.
16.7.1.2 Production Requirements
The major mine equipment was selected based on the production schedules described
previously. Based on these schedules, 25 months of pre-stripping are required for the Super
Pit and the Hybrid options; 17 years of production to extract the ore of the Super Pit, and 9
years of open pit operation, followed by rehandling operations from year 9 to year 18, for the
Hybrid are required.
Work during the preproduction period will include preparing roads, bench openings and
preproduction stripping. Total material mined during preproduction is 392 Mt and 375 Mt for
the Super Pit and the Hybrid option respectively.
The heap leach open pit will operate for 12 years; with 8 months of pre-stripping required,
mainly to fulfil construction requirements and avoid higher material movement for MacNeill
extraction. Table 16.15 shows the amount of ore and waste that will be handled by the open
pit mining equipment.
(‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t)
Super
90,178 33,732 54,287 23,976 885,164 4,000 71,980 3,322,942 4,486,259 33,732 23,976 4,000
Pit
Hybrid 99,684 24,226 39,953 29,598 296,700 120,533 72,814 822,705 1,506,214 24,226 29,598 120,533
Heap
101,817 9,834 69,333 4,357 242,439 18,229 132,562 427,780 9,834 4,357
leach
The material handling swell factor (in situ to loose tonnage) was estimated at 30 %.
NCL assumed a moisture content of 2 %. The density of wet loose material was used to
calculate truck allowable payload limits.
All equipment production is reported in dry metric tonnes. This corresponds to the units of
dry measurement contained in the computer model, the stated reserves and the mine
material movements as summarized in Table 16.15.
16.7.1.4 Mobile Equipment Performance and Fleet Requirements
Data from vendors and other operating mines indicate that mechanical availability of the
equipment decreases with hours worked, as shown in Table 16.17. An average mechanical
availability based on the life of the fleet was assigned to replicate the availability for a fleet
containing units of mixed ages.
Bulldozer 60,000 88 87 86 85 84 84 84 84 84
Wheeldozer 50,000 88 87 86 85 84 86 86 86 86
Motorgrader 60,000 87 86 85 84 84 84 84 84 84
3
Water Truck 85 m 70,000 88 87 86 85 84 84 84 84 84
The performance of all drilling and loading units was calculated on the basis of operational
indices and detailed estimates of the times involved in each activity. Truck performance
estimates used variable distances per period and the type of material being hauled.
Equipment hours and number of units in the fleet were calculated using the estimated
performance and the materials movement requirement per period.
Equipment required to haul ore from crusher to the pads was also included in calculations
and then distributed to the process capital cost area.
Drilling
The drilling equipment for ore and waste will consist of diesel units capable of drilling 12-1/4
in diameter holes.
To date no specific drilling and blasting study has been conducted for the Caspiche project;
assumptions were made based on general characteristics of the rock at Caspiche and
experience at similar types of operations. Three different rock groups were defined using the
UCS characteristics as main parameter. Penetration rates were calculated using the
Workman Method, a recognized formula designed in 1996 to estimate the penetration rates
in a wide range of rock:
V RF 28 * log 0.145 * Sc * 5.70 * 10 5 * PD * RPM
Where:
V = Penetration rate
RF = Rock factor, depends on SC
SC = UCS = Uniaxial Compression Strength (MPa)
PD = Drilling equipment pulldown = 145.7 kg/mm
RPM = Drilling equipment revolutions per minute = 100
Table 16.18 presents the typical drilling parameters used for describing the drilling and
blasting operations.
Controlled drilling and blasting will be practiced along the final faces of the pits. An
adjustment factor of 5 % was applied to account for re-drilling in ore and waste.
Annual production capacity was estimated for each type of drill and per each period of the
mine plan. Typical estimated capacities per year for each one of the rock types are
presented in Table 16.19.
The tonnage distribution for drilling according to the type of material was estimated for the
life of mine and then divided by the yearly capacity.
Loading
Primary loading in the bulk material will be performed by 495 HR Bucyrus rope shovels with
a 73 yd3 (56 m3) bucket, or similar unit. A LeTourneau frontend loader with a 50 yd 3 (38 m3)
bucket, or similar unit, will be used for secondary loading, rehandle and shovel support.
Loading for the heap leach stand-alone pit will be performed by Komatsu PC 5500 diesel-
hydraulic shovels with a 38 yd3 (29 m3) bucket. The Komatsu WA-1200 with a 26 yd3 (20 m3)
bucket will be used for secondary loading, rehandle and shovel support.
The productivities of the loading equipment were calculated with respect to the selected haul
trucks and are shown in Table 16.20.
The tonnage distribution for loading, according to the type of material, was then allocated for
the life of mine and divided by the yearly capacity for each period.
Hauling
Using this information, the mine production plan, and haulage distances for each type of
material were derived. Separate values were obtained for transport within and outside the pit
(between the pit exit and the destination: primary or heap leach crusher, waste dumps or
stockpile). The distances were split between ramp and horizontal transport. Average
distances per year are shown in Figure 16.23 and Figure 16.24.
Truck speeds were determined using information from suppliers, adjusted by correction
factors to allow for slower velocities on the benches and at the stockpiles. Speeds used for
calculations are shown in Table 16.21.
Table 16.21: Average Speeds (km/h) for Liebherr T282C and Komatsu 730 E
Tram Liebherr T 282C Komatsu 730E
Loaded Uphill 12.5 10
Loaded Flat 45 40
Loaded Downhill 27 20
Empty Uphill 27 15
Empty Flat 45 40
Empty Downhill 40 20
Truck performances are calculated for every loading unit and period of the production plan
depending on the travel time (see Figure 16.25 to 16.27) and other fixed times of the cycle,
including loading according to the equipment used, dumping and manoeuvring, amongst
others.
Figure 16.25: Super Pit Option – Travel Cycle Times for Each Origin-Destination
Cycle time
Weighted average Ox Ore to Crusher Sulp h Ore to Crusher Sulph Ore to Stockpile
Waste to Corridor Waste to WRF (Trucks) Waste to Chx-1 McNeill Ore Reclaim Chx-LchPad
Ox Ore to Sto ckpile Ox Ore Reclaiming Waste f or Co nstruction
70
60
50
Cycle time (min)
40
30
20
10
0
Y-03
Y-02
Y-01
Y01
Y02
Y03
Y04
Y05
Y06
Y07
Y08
Y09
Y10
Y11
Y12
Y13
Y14
Y15
Y16
Y17
Y18
Y87
Figure 16.26: Hybrid Option – Travel Cycle Times for Each Origin-Destination
Cycle time
Weighted averag e Ox Ore to Crusher Sulph Ore to Crusher Sulph Ore to Stockpile Waste to Corridor Waste to WRF (Trucks)
Waste to Chx-Gyr Ox Ore from Chx to LeachPad Ox Ore to Sto ckp ile Ox Ore Reclaiming Waste for Construction
60
50
40
Cycle time (min)
30
20
10
0
Y01
Y02
Y03
Y04
Y05
Y06
Y07
Y08
Y09
Y10
Y11
Y12
Y13
Y14
Y15
Y16
Y17
Y18
Y-03
Y-02
Y-01
The number of trucks required is obtained by dividing the annual hauled material by the
corresponding transport capacity of a truck, represented by the distribution of the hauled
material to the different loading units.
16.7.2 IPCC Open Pit Equipment
16.7.2.1 Equipment List –E & IPCC – Super Pit
Table 16.23 illustrates the E & IPCC equipment fleet for the Super Pit versus time.
Avg
Equipment Y- Y-
Description Capacity Y01 Y02 Y03 Y04 Y05 Y06 Y07 Y08 Y09 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Y14 Y15 Y16 Y17 Y18
ID 02 01
tph
Water trucks are estimated from the hauling roads in use per year.
As IPCC has been planned for use in the project, the number of each ancillary equipment
type is lower than it would be for a normal trucking operation. The reasons for this are:
Lower kms of haul road in use for the project (less motorgraders and water truck
requirements)
No trucks on stockpiles (less dozers required for maintenance of stockpile crests, less
water truck requirements)
Against this reduction in “normal” ancillary equipment, the IPCC operation requires its own
ancillary equipment fleet for assisting in relocations, cleanup, and associated maintenance
work. Table 16.25 and Table 16.26 show the recommended fleet for the Super Pit and
Hybrid options, together with the anticipated operating hours per year.
16.7.4.1 Loading
LHDs with 10 yd3 bucket capacity have been selected. This equipment is able to work within
the production drifts (4.0 mx3.6 m) loading and hauling the ore from the drawpoints to the
crusher or to the ore passes.
Productivities for each of the defined production levels are presented in Table 16.27: and
Table 16.27, respectively.
16.7.4.2 Hauling
Trucks selected for the Caspiche Full Underground mine are 80 t low profile units, similar to
those currently used at El Teniente mine. Truck performance estimate is shown in Table
16.29.
The organization charts for the three options are shown in Figure 16.28 to Figure 16.30.
Table 16.30 to Table 16.33 summarize the expected mine personnel required for each
option. The work schedule assumes production will operate 24 hours/day in two 12 hour
shifts, for 7 days/week, 365 days/year. A 1-week-in / 1-week-out rotation will require a total
of four crews on the payroll.
The personnel summary does not include senior management staff which is considered as
part of the General and Administration (G&A) costs.
The open pit and underground mine personnel are listed separately.
Mine Superintendent
Services Leader Shift Supervisor Production Leader Geologist Planning Engineers Workshop Foreman Shift Supervisor Planning Engineers
Ventilation Services Mine Eq. Operators Stock Pile Control Sampling Survey Workshop Mechanics Site Mechanics Planners
Secondary Blasting UG Production Control Geomecanics
Underground Mine
Technical services 38 38 63 63 63 63 63 63 63 63 63 63 63 62 63 63 63 63 63 62 62 62 50
Operators 69 113 218 279 337 394 442 444 449 433 426 423 416 361 386 354 350 318 336 257 219 171 78
Maintenance 62 94 218 298 382 446 518 542 575 591 587 546 502 438 418 366 326 278 218 182 158 126 66
Total 169 245 499 640 782 903 1023 1049 1087 1087 1076 1032 981 861 867 783 739 659 617 501 439 359 194
16.9 Benchmarking
Benchmarking of the main operational indices in the study was carried out against operating
mines in Chile, Peru and Argentina. The compiled data corresponds mainly to 2010 (second
semester) and the first semester of 2011.
Mines with the same type of equipment and where possible, at similar altitude were
considered in the benchmark.
In addition to the results of the Super Pit option, the peer group operating costs were
updated using current prices for fuel (1.00 US$/l) and power (150 US$/MWH), so the
benchmarking can be fairly compared to the other mines. Mined material has also been
included as reference.
Graphical results for total mine unit costs are shown in Figure 16.31:
Average cost for the operating mines is 2.03 US$/t compared with the 1.30 US$/t included in
this Study. The Caspiche trucking number was 1.53 US$/t and the additional reduction was
achieved by use of In-pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) for all waste. The original number
compares favourably with another large PFS in the region completed in 2010. Average cost
for mines using larger equipment (73 yd3 rope shovels and trucks >300 t) is 2.14 US$/t.
Average cost for mines operating above 2500 masl is 2.05 US$/t.
If current costs for power and fuel are included in the Caspiche estimate, the unit cost
increases to 1.45 US$/t. Benefits of the in pit crusher for Caspiche are included in these
results.
Comparison of the mine cost breakdown by unit operations is presented in Figure 16.32:
Hauling represents the most relevant operation unit of the Caspiche mine cost. Hauling cost
for Caspiche project includes 0.60 US$/t for haul trucks and 0,18 US$/t for waste in pit
crushing and conveying
A compilation of loading and hauling data for high altitude mines (>3000 masl) is presented
in Figure 16.33. Actual operations and recent projects are compared with the Super Pit
option results. The mines and projects are identified with their altitude.
Daily rock movement is also included as reference.
For the Caspiche project, Figure 16.34 illustrates that Caspiche has the minimum truck
requirements of the peer group evaluated. The Caspiche project has the lowest distance of
those operations and projects considered in the benchmarking, it represents the benefits of
the inclusion of the in- pit crusher and conveying system.
The loading capacity has been represented in Figure 16.35 as the daily production (tonnes
per day) divided by the total installed loading capacity (yd3).
Caspiche capacity is over the average but still below several operating mines.
Figure 16.36 presents the hauling benchmark. Hauling capacity is expressed in tonnes per
day-km divided by the installed truck capacity.
The Caspiche operation estimates are similar to average truck usage and is within the
overall range of operations.
Finally, Figure 16.37 illustrates the installed truck capacity against installed loading capacity.
The comparisons indicate Caspiche Super Pit option has used indices within the ranges of
achievable results.
The Caspiche Super Pit option has been designed with the objective of being below world
best practice but somewhat higher than standard Chilean productivities. Higher
productivities of hauling and loading, a good pit design including in-pit crushing and
conveying, and mine scheduling have been focused to achieve a higher efficiency, high
productivity and low cost.
In summary, the average cost for the benchmark compared is 2.03 US$/t compared with
1.30 US$/t using the IPCC system. When fuel and energy prices are updated to the value
used by operating mines, Caspiche is 29 % below the average unit cost. The reasons for
this are
Natural variation between the operating sizes of the mines – Caspiche has very high
daily material movement and hence lower fixed costs per tonne moved,
The use of In-pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) for some 75 % of all material
movement at considerably lower unit cost, reducing the average truck haulage distance
from 6.0 to 3,2 km and contributinh 0.34 US$/t to the 0.73 US$/t lower cost ,and
Productivity values which are in line with or lower than global standards.
17.1.2 Grinding
The effective utilization for the grinding and flotation plant is estimated at 92 %. A design
factor of 1.15 has been used for all equipment except for the grinding mills, where a factor of
1.0 was used.
Metallurgical tests indicate a low to medium rock hardness for grinding purposes; these tests
formed the basis for a grinding circuit of P80 at 130 µm being selected.
Current industry experience is that the maximum capacity of one SAG mill and two ball mills
is around 100,000 t/d, depending on the primary crusher product particle size distribution,
the ore hardness and the final product size requirement. This was the basis of design for the
Caspiche grinding circuit.
The Hybrid and Full Underground options consider one SAG mill and two ball mills. The
Super Pit considers two identical, parallel grinding circuits of one SAG mill and two ball mills
each circuit of 75,000 t/d capacity. The SAG mills will be in open circuit and consider a grate
discharge arrangement whilst the ball mills are in closed circuit with hydrocyclone banks. All
options consider a short trommel and pebble screen at the discharge of the SAG mills. A
pebble crushing plant has been included, assuming a nominal 20 % pebble production rate
with a maximum of 30 % for design purposes. Two cyclone clusters for each ball mill are
considered. No stand-by cyclone feed pumps are considered; however, a complete spare
pump would be ready for replacement.
The first cleaner concentrate grade has been estimated at 10 % copper with 90 % recovery
and scavenger-cleaner concentrate grade at 2.5 % copper with 85 % recovery.
Second and third flotation cleaners are arranged in-line, using conventional 50 m3 flotation
cells. The first cleaner concentrate plus the third cleaner tailings feeds the second cleaner
and the second cleaner concentrate feeds counter-currently the third cleaner. Retention time
is 5 min for secondary and 3 min for tertiary cleaning. Second cleaner concentrate copper
grade has been estimated as 18 % for all options.
Global cleaner copper recovery has been estimated at 97.7 % for design purposes. Third
cleaner concentrate is the final concentrate which contains approximately 25 % copper.
As Solution
Fe3+ production
Recirculation 30%
Magnetite (Solid)
Fe3+ Solution
Lime
Lime
Peroxide
Steam
Wet Residue
Water Water
recovered
Wet Residue
Residue
The copper calcine is approximately 85 % of the original concentrate weight mainly due to
the elimination of arsenic and part of the sulphur content. The calcine is cooled, moisture
content increased to approximately 9 %, then transported by trucks to the port. At the port
the calcine will be discharged to a negative pressure enclosed storage facility, and loaded to
ships on a scheduled basis by means of an enclosed conveyor and loader facility.
The gases containing arsenic sulphides and SO2 will be cooled to 370-400 °C and fed to an
electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The recovered ESP dust to be blended with the calcine or
sold.
The clean gases leaving the ESP will be wet washed before feeding the sulphuric acid plant.
The arsenic trioxide will be precipitated and treated with ferric ions to produce scorodite. The
scorodite will be disposed of according to environmental regulations in an impoundment
area. In the sulphuric plant SO2 will be converted to SO3 to produce 98 % sulphuric acid.
Gold laden carbon will be pumped to the cold desorption plant where it is transferred to the
hot desorption plant. The desorbed solution reports to the SART plant to recover sodium
cyanide and copper sulphide. At the hot desorption plant gold and silver will be removed
from the carbon and the precious metal rich solution processed in an electro-winning and
smelting plant to produce doré bullion. Stripped carbon reports to the carbon regeneration
plant.
CIL tails report to two 42 m diameter thickeners and then a counter current decantation
(CCD) circuit to neutralize cyanide and discharge the tailings slurry to a lined tailings
impoundment area separate to the main tailings dam. Wash solution for the CCD circuit is
provided from the scavenger flotation thickener. Figure 17.3 illustrates the pyrite treatment
circuit.
Tails Pyrite
Flotation
Pyrite Flotation
Concentrate
Reagents Activated
Carbon
COLD
DESORPTION
PLANT
Reagents
FILTER
Au EW
PLANT Doré Cu2S To
Concentrate
Sludge Tank
The electro-winning plant tails will also be fed to the SART plant which produces cyanide
solution and copper sulphide, with gypsum as a waste product.
The Sulphidation Acidification Recycling Thickening (SART) feed solution is the overflow of
the counter current decantation circuit which treats the tailings of the CIL plant. This solution
is mixed with sulphuric acid and sodium hydrosulphide and fed to a precipitation reactor. In
this reactor copper sulphide is precipitated at pH 5 and dissolved hydrogen cyanide is
generated. The precipitation reactor discharges by gravity into the precipitation thickener. A
fraction of underflow is recirculated to the precipitation reactor to increase the volume and
handleability of the copper sulphide. Another fraction of underflow is neutralized with sodium
hydroxide at pH 12 and is contained in a holding tank prior to pumping to the concentrate
plant. Treated barren solution, rich in free cyanide, reports to the neutralization stage where
milk of lime is added to raise the pH to 11, the solution is then re-used in the CIL plant.
Neutralized barren solution flows by gravity to a second thickener. The gypsum thickener
operates with underflow recirculation to increase the size and handleability of the gypsum
precipitate. The portion of underflow not recirculated is pumped to the filtration stage. The
gypsum filter cake produced is repulped adding fresh water, in order to minimize the cyanide
content, and is then pumped to a stand alone tailing pond. The overflow from the gypsum
thickener is the treated final product, which is recycled to a carbon in leach process.
17.3.1 Oxide
17.3.1.1 Crushing
Mine trucks with ROM ore discharge to a bin pocket. A static grizzly traps rocks larger than
70 % of the jaw crusher opening, and the oversize is reduced with a rock breaker. The ore is
classified to 150 mm in a vibratory grizzly, the oversize is fed to a jaw crusher with a closed
side setting (CSS) of 125 mm. The grizzly undersize is combined to the crusher product and
feeds the secondary screen.
Secondary screen separation is 50 mm; the undersize is final product and the oversize
feeds a standard cone secondary crusher with a CSS of 38 mm working in open circuit. The
crushed product is transported to a truck load-out bin by a belt conveyor. Solid lime is added
on the conveyor to control pH prior to leaching. The final crushed ore is transported to a
valley heap leach by trucks and distributed by bulldozers and graders. Ten metre high lifts
and forty metre high benches are considered.
17.3.1.2 Leaching
A valley fill cyanide heap leach is considered for gold recovery. The pad will be irrigated over
each 10 metre lift using drippers at an irrigation rate of 10 L/h/m2. The nominal cycle is 80
days. Actual leach time is greater because up to four 40 m benches are considered and the
cyanide solution will percolate through the whole pad prior to being collected and will
continue to leach available gold during this period.
The gold rich solution or pregnant leach solution (PLS), is stored in a PLS pond then
pumped to the ADR plant where gold is recovered via carbon adsorption. In the case of a
power outage or other emergency, the PLS overflows to the barren solution pond and finally
to a containment pond sized to contain eighteen hours of PLS production. The solution
irrigation pumping systems will be connected to the emergency energy supply system to
allow solution to be recirculated onto the pad during any power outage or downstream
interruption in operations.
17.3.2 MacNeill
The MacNeill ore is processed through the same heap leach as described in 17.2.1 and
ADR circuit as the oxides but has the following changes to the circuit to that of the oxide
process route.
The MacNeill ore is crushed through the same crushing circuit but at a throughput of 12 Mt
per annum due to greater rock competency. As such the coarser MacNeill ROM ore requires
two 250 hp jaw crushers. The primary crusher for the oxide ore treatment will be changed to
a 250 hp jaw crusher and a second jaw crusher will be added. In the secondary crushing
stage the existing MP1000 cone crusher will be modified to a MP1250 model, using the
same crusher body but increasing motor power.
Stacking and irrigation are as per described in 17.2. Pregnant solution passes through a
SART plant to remove copper and recover cyanide and thereafter treatment and doré
production is as per the oxide one.
17.5 Manpower
The process plant operation will commence with heap leach. Plant operations and
maintenance personnel will be recruited prior to operations start up to work in
commissioning activities and be trained in plant operations. The heap leach will operate
alone for two years then, until leachable ore is exhausted, will operate in parallel with the
concentrator. Thereafter the concentrator will work alone until end of mine life. In the case of
the Super Pit option labour requirements per year are summarized in Table 17.2.
TOTAL LABOUR 53 52 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 302 284 250 250 250 250
North N
Waste
Stockpile
Tailings
Tailings Dam
Conveyor
Corridor
Leach Pad
1000 m
Figure 18.3: Super Pit Option – North Waste Stockpile (Source: NCL, 2011)
2 km
The overall dimensions of the West waste stockpile (Figure 18.4) are 3.0 km in the north-
west direction by 1.7 km in the north-east direction, covering a total area of approximate
700 ha. The total height is 423 m, from 3,805 m.a.s.l to 4,228 m.a.s.l.
Figure 18.4: Super Pit Option – West Waste Stockpile (Source: NCL, 2011)
1 km
The waste stockpile configuration was designed according to the parameters presented in
Table 18.1.
Table 18.2 summarizes the storage capacity of the waste stockpile, a swell factor of 30 %
has been assumed, considering compaction of the material once dumped.
The waste stockpile will include further safety berms as recommended by geotechnical
evaluation. Further evaluation will be required as the project advances and additional
geotechnical data is generated.
The waste stockpile design meets the total requirement of 3.3 Bt of waste material
scheduled in the mine production plan for the Super Pit option. Waste material has also
been used to build the waste belt conveyor corridor and plant infrastructure. This material
totals 72 Mt.
Waste Conveyor
Corridor
N
Tailings Leach Pad
Stockpile
Waste
Ore Conveyor Stockpile
Corridor Waste
Crusher
Primary
Process Plant Crusher
Main c
Area onvey
or tun
Sulphide
Main A nel Stockpile
ccess ttu
unnel
Leach Pad
Final Pit
2000 m Subsidence
Leach Pad Crusher Area
1 km
The waste stockpile configuration was designed according to the same parameters
considered for the Super Pit option.
Table 18.3 summarizes the storage capacity of the waste stockpile, a swell factor of 30 %
has been assumed, considering compaction of the material once deposited.
The designed waste stockpile meets the total requirement of 820 Mt of waste material
scheduled in the mine production plan for the open pit section of the Hybrid option. Waste
material has also been used to build the waste belt conveyor corridor and plant
infrastructure. This material totals 73 Mt.
Leach Pad
Stock
Waste
Main Haulage Tunnel Dump
Concentrator
Plant Main Access Tunnel
Leach Pad Final Pit
Subsidence
N Area
Leach Pad
1 km Crushing
Facilities
Figure 18.8: Full Underground Option – Heap Leach Waste Stockpile (Source: NCL,
2011)
The waste stockpile configuration was designed according to the parameters presented in
Table 18.4.
Waste
30 37 150 35 30
Stockpile
Table 18.5 summarizes the storage capacity of the waste stockpile, a swell factor of 30 %
has been assumed, considering compaction of the material once dumped.
The main substation also considers two 23 kV harmonics filters for harmonics control and
power factor improvement; and an emergency generation station with 6 x 2,500 kW
generators to back critical equipment up in case of a SIC failure.
Power will be distributed to the plant in medium voltage from the GIS 23 kV switchgear
located in the project main substation through overhead lines and duct banks to the
secondary substations. The secondary substation electrical rooms will distribute energy to
the plant equipment in medium voltage (3.3 kV) and low voltage (400 V).
The fresh water supply and the concentrate pumping system and roasting plant are fed by
110 kV overhead lines of 114 km and 105 km.
The hybrid and full underground options have similar electrical facilities as those of the
super pit but only require three 60/80/100 MVA 220/23 kV transformers. The 110 kV system
will have two 20/26.6 MVA power transformers, 220/110 kV. Additionally the underground
facilities will be powered through two 23 kV overhead lines that enter the mine through the
main haulage tunnel. The underground facilities will consider local substations for
underground equipment consumption.
A contract to haul solid waste from the site will need further review, to be completed at the
next phase of engineering.
Mechanical Shop:
area of about 140 m2
The mechanical shop will be furnished with several work benches and required
equipment for normal maintenance activities.
Machine Shop:
area of about 140 m2
Machine tools for the machine shop will include a lathe, drill presses and a hydraulic
press.
Electrical Workshop:
area of about 80 m2
Normal electrical testing equipment and work benches will be provided
Warehouse:
area of about 2,400 m2
A fenced area for additional storage will be located outside adjacent to the
warehouse.
18.4.12 Communications
18.4.12.1 Off-site Communications
Basic telephone service will be initially supplied via satellite communication. Cell phone
communication for both voice and data will be developed to service the needs of the project
during construction and operations. Telephone communication will include but not be limited
to:
Site administration to Owner’s office in Santiago, Roaster facility office and Port office
Roaster Facility to a Owner’s office in Santiago, Site administration office and Port office
Port office to Owner’s office in Santiago, Roaster facility office and Site administration
office
Internet will be accessible with connectivity to the intranet for the home office during
construction and operation.
An emergency phone connected to the UPS in the control room will be provided on the
satellite service.
18.4.12.2 On-site Communication
Permitting and licensing will be required by Caspiche Plant for two (2) wireless systems
using portable radios.
One dedicated to the mining operation with base tower located at the concentrator
administration building.
The second systems will be dedicated to concentrator, roaster facility and port facility
with the base station located in each facility main control rooms.
The Operations Manager will have access to both systems at mining and concentrator
The Concentrator/Roaster/Port facility managers will have access to their own systems.
All facilities will have internal telephone systems connected to all buildings on sites.
Closed circuit television is to be installed at key areas for security monitoring and
surveillance, such as approach to the security gatehouse, intersections of mine haul roads,
entrances to mine administration building and conveyor gantries and electrowinning and
gold room facilities. At least a 30-h record time will be saved in memory on safe storage
media.
Recent studies by banking and other research groups indicate that there are not enough
projects in the pipeline to balance the copper market going forward assuming the projected
demand growth.
In recent years, the timeline for mine development has become extended in the face of the
need for more exhaustive environmental and social economic issues and for any major
project a lead development time of 8 to 10 years is not unusual. In consequence, the
estimate for the development of the expected projects at various stages in the pipeline has a
reasonable degree of certainty and there is limited potential for supply surprises on the
upside. On the other hand, the trend over the past decade has been the opposite with
project delays being seen for a variety of reasons. At the beginning of the current decade,
the expectation was that new mine development would add substantial supplies, but in
practice this did not happen. Reasons included more focus on environmental and social
economic issues, rising capital and operating costs, which pushed up the required copper
price, as well as the world financial crisis in 2008-2009 which all contributed to the shortfall.
Secondary copper (scrap and recycling) demand is increasing; in China for example, where
domestic consumption of products using copper has resulted in these products being
replaced with alternative materials.
The following chart sourced from the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Commodity Research
publication of 06 July 2011 serves to illustrate these points.
Figure 19.1: The Shortfall in Refined Copper Could Reach 6 Million Tonnes by 2020
In the longer run, strong copper demand growth prospects are based on the expected
resource intensive of use in economies such as China, India and other developing countries.
Demand is associated with investment in power distribution networks and other
infrastructure development as countries industrialize and urbanize.
The implications are nothing short of profound. Projections for iron ore, aluminium and
copper suggest that demand could double or even triple over the next 25 years.
A recent study by the Development Research Center under China’s State Council concluded
that China’s industrialization stage will last into the 2020’s with potential GDP growth
estimated to be in the 8 to 10 per cent range.
China today consumes about 40 % of the world’s refined copper, and it is expected to
continue to grow and may rise to 52 % by 2022.
From a physical perspective, there may be some concern in the minds of offtake smelters in
that a calcine at 0 % moisture would be inherently dusty and thus pose materials handling
issues from both an environmental and plant hygiene perspective. Exeter has advised that
the intent is to add water at the point of origin and it is expected that it will behave like
normal concentrates and there would be a no need to pelletize. It should be noted that
pelletized concentrates are not widely accepted by smelters and could pose feed issues to
the reactors.
Without any discussion with smelters to ascertain the quantity that can be taken and the cost
thereof, in Selmar’s opinion based on the calcine quality supplied by Exeter at about 26 %
copper, 40 g/t gold, 90 g/t silver, 25 % sulphur, arsenic levels of less than 0.2 % and
antimony levels of 0.25 %, it should be feasible to find a sustainable long-term market for
such concentrates. Nevertheless, securing long term smelter contracts for arsenic bearing
concentrates is a challenge.
Based on Selmar’s involvement in the market the likelihood is that a greater number of sales
contracts will be required for Caspiche calcine than would be the case for sulphide copper
concentrates. While some smelters with precious metals refinery circuits might favour high
gold and silver bearing concentrates, this is not true for all, particularly for most Chinese
smelters at present.
Selmar recommends that once the PFS is complete, detailed project presentations should
be made to smelters to ascertain and quantify potential interest.
The EBS was designed to meet relevant local and international legislation, and contains:
Principal Environmental findings
Environmental and social issues of the project
Socio-economic potential impacts and closure, and
Abandonment stage.
The studies were completed over a continuous 12 month period between mid-2009 and mid-
2010. A seasonal water monitoring campaign of the area continues as part of the ongoing
surface water quality programme.
A series of methodological steps were completed to fulfill the objectives and achieve the
correct characterization of the environmental elements. This methodology complied with the
relevant legal and environmental regulations currently in place in Chile.
is located at the head of this sub-basin, specifically in a first order system called “Quebrada
Yeguas Heladas.” Exeter has developed hydrochemical characterization and analysis of
water quality in the project area on a seasonal basis from mid 2009, completing a total of 7
campaigns.
As it descends through the sub-basin, water quality progressively deteriorates. High values
of sulphates, total iron, total copper and pH were recorded in the middle and lower sections
of the basin. These parameters substantially exceed the permitted limits for environmental
standards, especially those parameters such as sulphates and total iron, characteristic of
sites where projects and mining processes could be located.
The majority of the water sampled has high turbidity values; a great deal of purification and
other processes are required to meet the relevant standards for drinking water.
Analysis of pH identified two grades of waters. The first corresponds to those categories
ranging from "4" to "6" (according to Nisbet and Verneaux 1970), the qualities of these
varies from neutral to alkaline neutral. The second group exhibits the most extreme
behaviour, either with a sharp acidity or alkalinity.
National regulations define two complementary means of defining protected species; the
Regulations for Classification of Wildlife Species and the Hunting Law. None of the
invertebrates recorded are cited by the Regulations for Classification of Wildlife; however
according to the Hunting Law (SAG, 2008) the conservation status of species observed is as
follows:
Reptiles: Liolaemus rosenmanni (Vulnerable) y Liolaemus juanortizi (Critically
Endangered);
Birds: Tinamotis pentlandii (Endangered), Chloephaga melanoptera (Endangered), Vultur
gryphus (Endangered), Attagis gayi (Vulnerable);
Mammals: Puma concolor (Critically Endangered, SAG 2008; Near Threatened, DS
151/2006 MINSEGPRES), Pseudalopex culpaeus y Pseudalopex griseus (Near
Threatened), Lama guanicoe (Critically Endangered) y Lagidium viscacia (Critically
Endangered).
Colonies of Ctenomys sp. are distributed over a wide area within the project area, including
the sectors of exploration, access road, meadows, and Quebrada Yeguas Heladas, and are
always associated with a low scrub thorn bushes (Adesmia echinus) and tussocky grass
(Stipa atacamensis).
The project area is not mentioned in either the Red Book of Priority Sites for Conservation of
Biodiversity in Chile, or among those highlighted by the National Biodiversity Strategy.
20.1.9 Anthropology
Since the exploration activities of the Caspiche Project started, Exeter has developed a
relationship with the neighbouring Colla Community at Jorquera River (CCJR) and its
tributaries.
Guidelines have been established which define the project objectives, and the principles of
coexistence and respect for the heritage and Colla indigenous culture. Exeter and the
community have fixed goals to work together via formal documents and agreements.
Technical groups meet with the participation of the National Corporation of Indigenous
Development (CONADI) and representatives of CCJR to discuss issues such as the
environment and others.
are not permanently inhabited structures it should be considered that these areas are
significant to the Colla lifestyle and their nomadic character. The same consideration
should be given to the meadows and slopes that can be found along the gully of the
Aguas Blancas River and are used throughout the year by the flocks and herds that
community members keep in the gully.
Impact on the quality and quantity of water resources due to intensive use. Exeter
provides sustainable exploitation of this resource through a secure flow of water
approved by the competent authority. The water source to be used assures there is no
significant impact on the current users.
Impact on winter and summer grazing areas that feed the animals as a product of high
traffic of light and heavy vehicles, water use, and mining activity.
Impact on archaeological sites that could eventually be given the status of ancestral
occupation of the territory. These sites may be affected by mining activity. To ensure that
the archaeological history of the area will not be impacted by future mining infrastructure,
the company should rescue materials to be impacted (Law 17.288; Ministry of Education
(MINEDUC).
Impact on local economic activity. The loss of territory for the migration and grazing of
livestock and possible impact of meadows and wetlands used for summer pasture and
winter activities that serve for care and feeding of livestock will have a negative impact.
Development of the project will generate a significant positive impact on employment
levels and the local economy.
The conclusions reached are that all effects or impacts noted above and related to the
different sections of Article 8 of the RSEIA14, imply a significant change in the livelihood and
customs of the human groups inhabiting the territory.
This estimate is based on information developed during the Prefeasibility study (PFS) of the
Caspiche Project.
The economic analysis completed in item 22.2 for each option indicated that the Super Pit is
the preferred route to be developed to Feasibility Study. Attention should be made to the
Super Pit option throughout this report.
21.1.1.9 Steel
Take-Off
Structural steel take-offs were obtained from the preliminary structural steel drawings. The
take-offs were developed either with Aker Solutions corporate software or manual take-offs
by Aker Solutions structural engineers. The structural steel take-offs categorizes structural
steel by the following weight classifications: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Medium and Light. Steel
structures items such as grating, handrails, and stairs, etc. are identified separately.
It is assumed that all steel is sourced locally although there may be further benefits in
sourcing structural and other required steel and platework from China. This should be
evaluated in the next phase of project development.
Building / Architectural
Aker Solutions engineers prepared take-offs for roofing and sidings of site buildings. Doors,
gates, and finishing for the buildings are factored. All other miscellaneous buildings are
priced on a dollar per square metre basis using Aker Solutions historical data.
Pricing
Aker Solutions has received budgetary quotations for approximately 40 % of the process
equipment for the Caspiche Project. Process equipment pricing is based on budgetary
quotations and includes the addition of engineering development and growth factor
allowances. Pricing for the remaining process equipment is from in-house databases.
Installation
Equipment installation costs are based on Aker Solutions’ in-house data for the region. The
process equipment erection data was obtained from recent or on-going projects of similar
process type and geography. A small amount of the process equipment installation costs, for
example tanks, were based on preliminary definitions by weight of plate works per tonne.
21.1.1.11 Electrical
Electrical material take-offs were prepared by Aker Solutions electrical engineers based on
preliminary design single line diagrams.
21.1.1.12 Instrumentation
The material take-offs for instruments and control valves were factored by mechanical
process equipment.
21.1.1.13 Piping
Piping material take-offs were based on preliminary layout sketches. Material take–offs are
net quantities.
Long run piping, such as the fresh water supply and concentrate pipeline have been
estimated from first principles, no geotechnical or geomorphological evaluation has been
undertaken in the PFS to confirm the selected pipe runs.
Capital Spares
The cost for capital spares are entered as a single line item in the indirect costs as a
factored cost from the process equipment cost.
Inventory
The capital estimate recognises the need for the inventory of high volume consumables
such as steel balls, cyanide and others, this is addressed as working capital.
Start-up Assistance and Pre-Commissioning
Start-up assistance and pre-commissioning costs have been included in the indirect costs.
Start-up and pre-commissioning costs include craft labour support, field engineering, and
supervision. Costs for these activities were defined as a factor of cost of process equipment.
First Fill
First fill consists of supplying chemicals and lubricants for the plant and process equipment,
which are required for process plant start-up. The first fill cost was factored by cost of
process equipment supply.
Third Party Engineering Services
Third party engineering services include specialized engineering, testing, and inspection
services. These items are included in the indirect portion of the estimate. Costs for third part
engineering services were defined by Aker Solutions using historical databases or
benchmarking.
Freight Cost
The freight cost includes inland freight, port handling, forwarding fee, ocean freight, duties
and local freight. Cost for the contract is included in the indirect costs. The freight cost was
factored by cost of material and process equipment supply both local and foreign.
21.1.1.17 Contingency
The contingency is an amount added to an estimate to allow for unforeseen events,
conditions, or occurrences that experience indicates will likely happen during a project.
Typically, the amount of contingency applied to a project is determined by statistical analysis
or judgment based on experience from similar projects. Statistical analysis was used in the
estimate to calculate contingency using the software @Risk Version 4™. @Risk Version 4™
is software that uses the Monte Carlo method to simulate probable project cost outcomes.
The following events were excluded from contingency analysis:
Scope change
Substantial design change
Force majeure events
Acts of war
Labour conflicts
Change in execution plan
Insurance deductibles
Escalation
Currency effects
21.1.1.19 Taxes
All taxes are excluded from the estimate. Exclusions include sales tax, business taxes and
VAT.
21.1.1.20 Insurance
The insurance required by construction and services contractors is included in the contractor
costs. The general insurance strategy for the installations and “umbrella” type cover by the
owner, in agreement to the project definitions, are considered as “Owner Costs” and are
excluded from this CAPEX Estimate. The insurance of services and EPCM contactor are
included in the services costs.
21.1.1.21 Escalation
Escalation for labour, process and construction equipment, and material is excluded from
the estimate.
21.1.1.22 Exclusions
The following items are excluded from the definitive estimate:
Force majeure events
Owner’s contingency
Escalation
Working capital
Licenses and royalties
Finance cost
Taxes
Exchange rate fluctuation
Construction utilities (purchased water & power)
Operating manuals
16 15,276,065 4,969,866
17 10,810,825 15,660,493
18 325,000 9,700,254
19 975,000 650,000
Open Pit
The open pit mine area direct costs include all mine operations to feed material to the
primary crusher. All costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the mine are
also included. Blasting operations have been assumed to be carried out by contractors and
a full Maintenance and Repair Contract (MARC) is assumed for the first 3 years of
operation.
Indirect costs such as training, material and office supplies were estimated and are included
in the mine operating costs. Food, catering, camp, transport, recreation, safety supplies and
work clothes are included in General and Administration costs.
The mine operating cost estimate incorporates costs for operations and maintenance labour,
staff, and operating and maintenance supplies for each year. Operating and maintenance
supplies are based on Chilean supply and include an allowance for freight and delivery to
the Caspiche site. Taxes are not included. Consumables were calculated from expected
use, unit consumptions, and allowances for minor items. Mine operating costs are
expressed in USD/tonne of total material movement.
(a) Operating Labour
Item 16 presents the organizational structure and total mine labour requirements for the
operation. Manpower cost was calculated using this data and consideration of Chilean high-
altitudes mine pay scales.
(b) Parts and Consumables
Consumables and wear parts unit prices were obtained from suppliers and manufacturers or
from NCL’s database for other Chilean mining projects and were used in the development of
project operating costs.
The fuel price used is 0.70 US$/L and corresponds to a projected price of 70 US$/barrel
F.O.B. Gulf Coast Waterborne and transformed to USD/L applying refining charges, market
margin, sea and internal freight, duties and applicable supplier factors. The power cost used
is 117 US$/MWH.
Main mine equipment consumptions were based on comparable projects and other similar
operations in Chile.
(c) Overhead Costs
Overhead costs covering items such as assaying, ore control, blasting studies, geotechnical
studies and programs, and miscellaneous items such as office supplies, light vehicles,
photos, and maps are considered and are based on other similar Chilean mining operations.
(d) Summary of Open Pit Mine Operating Costs
The open pit mining unit cost results are shown in Table 21.7.
Underground
Preparation costs included in the operating costs were estimated using the unit costs shown
in Section 21.1 and the total area developed per year presented in the following tables.
Pre-production period cost is considered as capital cost. The capital cost estimate for
preproduction capital assumes all initial mine development is completed by contractors.
Hourly costs for the underground mine equipment were estimated using first principles.
21.3.2.2 Labour
The labour estimate does not consider senior executives (General Manager and others) who
are included in G&A. The estimate for labour necessary in the concentrator plant was
estimated as per Table 21.10:
This labour structure was used for the OPEX estimate for all three options. Labour rates for
similar Chilean operations were considered.
Labour rates include salaries, vacations, social laws and insurance. Labour rates do not
include personnel safety protection, transport, camps, catering and other expenses
necessary to maintain operations personnel, all of which are included in G&A.
21.3.2.3 Energy
Energy consumption was estimated based on the power used by the equipment. The energy
rate considered is 117 US$/MWh, this value considers a contract for build, own and operate
supply; energy consumption was estimated yearly.
21.3.2.4 Maintenance
Maintenance costs for the crushing and ADR plant have been estimated as 7 % of the direct
cost of the equipment, except for the pumping and pipe transport systems. In those cases
40 % of the energy cost was considered for water and clean solutions system transport and
60 % of the energy cost for slurry pumping systems.
21.3.2.5 Contracts
The pre-feasibility study considered the following main contracts:
Mobile equipment for crushing area.
Wall construction for tailings dam. The Super Pit considered rock wall dam, and the
Hybrid and Full Underground options a sand wall was considered.
21.3.2.8 Contingencies
Contingences for this project at the current engineering level were estimated as 5 % of the
total value. The contingency considers areas which have not yet been defined.
800
700
Concentrator
Op. Cost (MUS$/y)
600
500
400
300
200 Heap
Leach
100
0
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Period (Year)
600
500
Op. Cost (MUS$/y)
400
300
200
Heap
Leach
100
0
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Period (Year)
600
500
Op. Cost (MUS$/y)
400
300
200 Heap
Leach
100
0
-12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Period (Year)
10.0 Concentrator
Op. Cost (US$/t ore)
5.0
Heap
Leach
0.0
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Period (Year)
16.00
14.00
12.00
Op. Cost (US$/t ore)
10.00
8.00
6.00 Heap
Leach
4.00
2.00
0.00
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Period (Year)
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
Op. Cost (US$/t)
25.0
20.0
15.0
Heap
Leach
10.0
5.0
0.0
-12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Period (Year)
800
Concentrator
700
Op. Cost (US$/oz Au eq)
600
Heap
Leach
500
400
300
200
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Period (Year)
800
700
600
Heap
Op. Cost (US$/oz Au eq)
Leach
500
400
300
200
100
0
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Period (Year)
1,800
1,600
1,400
Op. Cost (MUS$/oz Au eq)
1,200
1,000
800
600
Heap
Leach
400
200
0
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Period (Year)
The revenue associated with these payable metal productions is presented in Table 22.2.
The revenue was calculated using the following metal prices:
Au 1,430 US$/oz Years 1 - 415
1,200 US$/oz remaining LoM
Cu 2.75 US$/lb LoM
Ag 31.2 US$/oz years 1 - 4
22.5 US$/oz remaining LoM
15
Yrs 1- 4 used for precious metals prices are from heap leach start up. As such in the case of the Super Pit and
Hybrid option these metal prices are used for the first 4 years of heap leach production and the first 2 years of
concentrator production. In the case of the Full Underground option these metals prices are used for heap leach
production only.
REVENUE (MUS$)
The cash flows for each option are presented in Figure 22.1 to Figure 22.3.
10,000
8,000
6,000
Cash Flow Net Value (MUS$)
4,000
2,000
0
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
-2,000
-4,000
-6,000
Period (year)
8,000
6,000
Cash Flow Net Value (MUS$)
4,000
2,000
0
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
-2,000
-4,000
-6,000
Period (year)
4,000
3,000
2,000
Cash Flow Net Value (MUS$)
1,000
0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25
-1,000
-2,000
-3,000
-4,000
Period (year)
A sensitivity analysis for NPV5 was completed for all options considering metals recoveries
and prices and variations in the CAPEX and OPEX. This sensitivity analysis is summarized
in Figure 22.4, Figure 22.5 and Figure 22.6 as follows:
4000
3500
3000
2500
NPV (MUS$)
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
Delta
3,500
3,000
2,500
NPV (MUS$)
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
Delta
900
800
700
600
NPV (MUS$)
500
400
300
200
100
0
-15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%
-100
Delta
A sensitivity analysis for NPV=0 was completed for all options considering metals recoveries
and prices and variations in the CAPEX and OPEX. This sensitivity analysis is summarized
in Table 22.4. NPV = 0 is effectively breakeven for the project. Table 22.4 illustrates the
metal values where breakeven occurs and highlights the robustness of the Caspiche
Project.
A sensitivity analysis for Cu price of 3.54 US$/lb (December 7th, 2011) was completed for all
options. This sensitivity analysis is summarized in Table 22.5.
A sensitivity analysis for Au price of 1,731 US$/oz (December 7th, 2011) was completed for
all options. This sensitivity analysis is summarized in Table 22.4.
Hybrid Option sensitivity analysis indicates that it is most sensitive to gold price followed
by Opex and then Capex.
Capex impact is due to the long lead time to develop the underground mine
operation and the smaller benefits associated with the EPCC system.
Full Underground sensitivity analysis indicates the greatest impact in gold price followed
by Capex and Opex. Capex impact is greater due to long underground development
timeoperation.
The sensitivity analysis shows maximum variation of NPV5 for Super Pit is MUS$ 1,841
and for Hybrid is MUS$ 1,382. The difference for Super Pit is higher because it has a
shorter mine life than the Hybrid and at the same time processes more ore.
Based on the above, the Super Pit option is that which is recommended for development to
feasibility Study level. The key reserve and mining parameters used to reach this conclusion
are as per Table 22.7.
Cu Au Ag Eq Au
Contained Metal Mt Moz Moz Moz
2.1 19.3 41.5 30.1
MacNeill
LOM Oxide Process Open Pit Feed
Process
Yr kt/d kt/d
kt/d
19 72 33 150
Mine Schedule
Max. Open Pit Avg. Open Pit
Mvment. Mvment.
kt/d kt/d
909 655
MILESTONES
Start Construction
Engineering Completion
Mechanical Completion
Project Completion
PERMITTING
EIA Preparation & Approval
Sectorial Permits
Construction Permit
ENGINEERING
Feasibility Study
Geotechnical Evaluation
Hydrological Mapping
Basic Engineering
B. E. CAPEX
IPCC Detail Engineering
Detail Engineering
PROCUREMENT (Inc. Expediting)
Mills
Crushers
Mining Equipments
Power Electrical Equip.
Flotation Area Equipments
General Material & Equip. Procure
IPCC Procurement
CONTRACTS
Services Contracts
Mass Earthwork Bidding Contract
Mass Earthwork Mobilization
Concrete Bidding Contract
Concrete Bidding Mobilization
Erection Bidding Contract
Erection Bidding Mobilization
Others Contract
CONSTRUCTION
General
Access Road
Camp
Prestripping
Mass Earthwork
Leaching - Liner & Collection
Mine Area
Infrastructure
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Intrum.
Sulphide Crushing area
Concentrator Plant & Grinding Circuit
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrumentation
Flotation
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrumentation
Concentrate, Tailings Handling & Dam
Sulphide Reagents
Leaching
ADR Plant
Heap Leach Reagents
Scavenger Tails & Concentrate treatment
Roasting Area
Utilities (Air, Water)
Power (S/E, Powerline)
IPCC Construction
Areas Pre-commissioning
COMMISSIONING & TOP´s
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile Comm.
Sulphide Crushing Comm.
Concentrator Plant Commissioning
Heap Leach & Sulphide Full Commercial Production Start
Commercial Prod.
MILESTONES
Start Construction
Engineering Completion
Mechanical Completion
Project Completion Heap Leach
PERMITTING
EIA Preparation & Approval
Sectorial Permits
Construction Permit
ENGINEERING
Feasibility Study
Geotechnical Evaluation
Hydrological Mapping
Basic Engineering
B. E. CAPEX
EPCC Detail Engineering
Detail Engineering
PROCUREMENT (Inc. Expediting)
Mills
Crushers Open Pit
Crushers Underground
Mining Equipments
Power Electrical Equip.
Flotation Area Equipments
General Material & Equip. Procure
EPCC Procurement
CONTRACTS
Services Contracts
Mass Earthwork Bidding Contract
Mass Earthwork Mobilization
Concrete Bidding Contract
Concrete Bidding Mobiization
Erection Bidding Contract
Erection Bidding Mobilization
Others Contract
CONSTRUCTION
General
Access Road
Camp
Prestripping
Mass Earthwork
Leaching - Liner & Collection
Mine Area
Infrastructure
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrumumentation
Heap Leach Reagents area
Sulphide Crushing area
Concentrator Plant & Grinding Circuit
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrumentation
Flotation
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrumentation
Concentrate, Tailings Handling & Dam
Sulphide Reagents
Leaching
ADR Plant
Scavenger Tails & Concen. Treatment
Roasting Area
Utilities (Air, Water)
Power (S/E, Powerline)
EPCC Construction
Areas Pre-commissioning
Underground Crusher system installation
COMMISSIONING & TOP´s
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile Comm.
Sulphide Crushing Comm.
Concentrator Plant Commissioning
EPCC Commissioning Start
Commercial Prod.
Open Pit Full Commercial Production
Underground Crusher system Commissioning Start
Commercial Prod.
Underground Full Comercial Production
MILESTONES
Start Construction Heap Leach Plant
Start Construction UG Plant
Engineering Completion
Mechanical Completion Heap Leach Plant
Project Completion
PERMITTING
EIA Preparation & Approval
Sectorial Permits
Construction Permit
ENGINEERING
Feasibility Study
Basic Engineering
Geotechnical Evaluation
Hydrological Mapping
Detail Engineering
PROCUREMENT (Inc. Expediting)
Heap Leach Crushers System
Heap Leach Plant equipmnet
Power Electrical Equip.
Mills
Mining Equipment
Flotation Area Equipment
General Material & Equip. Procure
CONTRACTS
Services Contracts
Mass Earthwork Bidding Contract
Mass Earthwork Mobilization
Concrete Bidding Contract
Concrete Bidding Mobilization
Erection Bidding Contract
Erection Mobilization
Others Contract
CONSTRUCTION
General
Access Road
Camp
Mass Earthwork
Leaching - Liner & Collection
Mine Area
Infrastructure Phase I
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile 29,614 29,614 29,614 19,743
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrum.
Heap Leach Reagents area
Leaching
ADR Plant
Infrastructure Phase II
Sulphide Crushing area
Concentrator Plant & Grinding Circuit
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Instrum.
Flotation
- Concrete & Structural Steel
- Mechanical & Piping Install.
- Electrical & Intrum.
Concentrate, Tailings Handling & dam
Sulphide Reagents
Scavenger Tails & Concentrate treatment
Roasting Area
Utilities (Air, W ater)
Power (S/E, Powerline)
Heap Leach Plant Pre-commissioning
COMMISSIONING & TOP´s
Heap Leach Crushing & Stockpile Comm.
Heap Leach Plant Commissioning
Heap Leach & Sulphide Full Commercial Production
Sulphide Crushing Commissioning Start
Concentrator Plant Commissioning Commercial Prod.
UG Full Commercial Prodution
24.1.3.1 Introduction
On completion of feasibility study the company will review the various contracting options for
the project. This section discusses options for contracting the engineering, procurement,
contracts, project controls, construction management, construction and commissioning
services for the implementation of the Caspiche project.
It is expected that the EPCM contractor will be based in Chile and will have relevant EPCM
experience within the region. However there will be areas where it is advantageous to
Exeter to award EP or EPC contracts, particularly when considering large capital equipment
items.
partners. Consequently, the execution plan is based on one EPCM contractor executing the
scope of services for the entire project.
24.1.4 Engineering
Detailed engineering will be carried out by the EPCM contractor.
The basis for the detail design will be the feasibility study and the drawings and documents
prepared. At the start of the detail design stage the design basis will be confirmed.
24.1.5 Procurement
The EPCM contractor’s Procurement Manager will be responsible for the overall
management of procurement activities in home office and field. The EPCM contractor’s
Procurement Manager will be responsible for developing the Project Procurement Plan
which identifies the schedule for procurement, expediting requirements, shipping logistics
and other important issues.
In the Hybrid option, the project will be constructed in two phases as described below:
Phase 1
Phase 1 has been defined as the start up of the heap leach and the processing of the PLS in
an ADR and EW plant to produce metal doré from Year 1 (2013) to Year 2 (2014).
The treatment of ore by heap leach will continue for approximately 12 years
Phase 2
Phase 2 is the start up of the concentrator (crushing-grinding-flotation) to treat sulphides to
produce concentrate which will be fed to a partial atmosphere roaster to remove arsenic
within the concentrate and produce a commercially viable calcine concentrate followed by
CIP leaching of the scavenger tails.
In the Full Underground option, the project will be constructed in two phases in a similar
manner to the Hybrid option.
The project will use a shift system according to the Chilean law for all personnel including
Exeter EPCM contractor staff as well as direct and indirect construction and service
contractors’ staff. The estimate used in this report is based on the following shift system:
24.1.6.2 Camp
The camp will be designed as an integrated construction and operations (permanent) camp
and will be bid early in the project implementation phase on a design, supply and erect
contract basis. The camp capacity will be defined by the peak of personnel at site. The
construction of the camp will be phased to meet the accommodation requirements.
Power Generation, Clinic and Battery Limits for all phases have all been considered in the
design and drawings by Aker.
25.1 Conclusions
No fatal flaws were identified during the course of the Caspiche Project prefeasibility
study. All mine, plant and infrastructure design was based on conventional, proven
equipment and techniques currently in day to day use in Chile and other countries.
The financial analysis indicated that all alternatives for the project had a net positive
cash flow and an acceptable internal rate of return and could support the progression to
mine development
At the metals prices used and based on the economic evaluations in item 22.2, the
Super Pit option is the most attractive alternative. The use of in-pit crushing and
conveying systems for the waste provide further upside benefits to the Super Pit option.
As such the Super Pit option should be further developed to FS level.
The Super Pit option also provides the lowest risk alternative of the 3 options evaluated.
There is no need for extensive underground evaluation as required for the Hybrid and
Full Underground options.
Execution of this project type is well understood in Chile thus neither topography or
altitude present excessive challenges
The topography around the project area is reasonably benign, thus there are no great
haul road inclines outside of the pit area and the overall area allows easy incorporation
of plant and infrastructure without major earthworks requirement.
The project economics derived in sections 21 and 22 show that the Super Pit option has
robust economics under the metals prices used and a considerable metals price
reduction prior to reaching project breakeven. This is shown in Table 25.1.
Proven and Probable Reserves for the three options were established and are
summarized in Table 25.2, 25.3 and 25.4.:
Table 25.2: Super Pit – Proven and Probable Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM,
October 2011)
Super Pit
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Option Mt Au g/t Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Au oz Cu t Ag oz
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 321 0,62 0,26 1,10 7,3 0,8 14,8
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 74 0,51 0,07 1,08 568 0,55 0,23 1,15 11,9 1,3 26,6
Total 124 0,38 1,62 78 0,51 0,07 1,05 889 0,58 0,24 1,13 19,3 2,1 41,5
Table 25.3: Hybrid Case – Proven and Probable Reserves (Carlos Guzman, CChM,
October 2011)
Proven 62 0,42 1,71 4 0,46 0,08 0,70 273 0,65 0,27 1,13 6,6 0,7 13,4
Probable 62 0,33 1,52 65 0,51 0,07 1,07 387 0,62 0,25 1,21 9,4 1,0 20,4
Total 124 0,38 1,62 70 0,50 0,07 1,05 660 0,63 0,26 1,18 16,0 1,7 33,8
Table 25.4: Full Underground Case Case – Proven and Probable Reserves (Carlos
Guzman, CChM, October 2011)
Full Underground
Contained Metal
Oxide Ore MacNeill Ore Sulphide Ore (millions)
Option Mt Au g/t Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Mt Au g/t Cu % Ag g/t Au oz Cu t Ag oz
Proven 57 0,43 1,69 7 0,47 0,11 0,82 158 0,72 0,31 1,22 4,5 0,5 9,5
Probable 55 0,34 1,44 67 0,56 0,11 1,16 243 0,67 0,29 1,30 7,0 0,7 15,1
Total 112 0,39 1,57 74 0,55 0,11 1,12 400 0,69 0,30 1,27 11,6 1,2 24,6
3. Dilution material considering waste and inferred resources was included as probable reserves
4. Tonnages are rounded to the nearest 1,000 kt; grades are rounded to two decimal places.
5. Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes,
grade and contained metal content.
6. Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units; contained gold and silver are in troy ounces
Total metal contained in the reserves for the three options was calculated and is
summarized in Table 25.5:
Summaries of the Capital and Operating Costs estimated for the three options are as per
Table 25.6 and 25.7.
Table 25.7: Average operating costs ($/t ore processed) life of mine
COST
AREA UNIT
Super Pit Hybrid Full U'G
TOTAL SULPHIDES COST US$/t ore 10.4 9.9 10.2
The capital and operating cost results were very much in line with those expected for a
high altitude Chilean porphyry project of this type. Operating costs were generated from
first principles and benchmarked against other operations. Capital costs were based on
quotes for approximately 40 % of the equipment costs and Aker’s database information.
Capital costs were also benchmarked against similar operations.
The rock and ore characteristics for Caspiche are generally mid-range for these styles of
deposits. Rock mass characteristics are mostly good and comminution characteristics
indicate the ore to be somewhat softer and less abrasive than other Chilean porphyries.
The mine plan is appropriate to the mineralization and adequately reflects the deposit
type, dimensions and host rock characterization.
Additional metallurgical studies are needed prior to a construction decision to optimize
recovery and equipment selection, on oxide, MacNeill and sulphide ores.
25.2 Opportunities
The project has further exploration potential in the areas around Caspiche and there is
resource potential in Caspiche Epithermals.
Additional geotechnical evaluations may permit selective slope steepening of the open
pit and the use of variable bench heights. Further mine fleet optimization is possible.
Ongoing testwork such as High Pressure Grinding Rolls; fine liberation of gold and
copper may positively impact project operating costs.
There is a potential to share infrastructure development costs, such as access roads,
power lines and water supplies, with other neighboring operations.
As indicated in item 22 the project economics are sensitive to metal prices. Conservative
long term metals prices have been used in the project evaluation.
26.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
26.1 General Project Recommendations
Before advancing to detailed feasibility study level all relevant testwork and other
development updates should be applied once more to all three options studied to confirm
that the criteria used in the selection of the Super Pit as the preferred option l are still
valid.
Further options for the location of the concentrate treatment plant and subsequent
product transport should be evaluated in trade-off studies prior to initiating detailed
feasibility studies
Water supply studies, easement corridors and land acquisition negotiations should be
advanced as these can be a time consuming processes
In more detail the recommendations pertaining to the mine and process plant are noted
below.
26.2 Mining
A double bench 30 m configuration may improve mining economics.
A short-term analysis of the pre-stripping and first years of production to determine the
variation of feed and identify operational problems should be completed.
Further studies to improve the geotechnical slope angle of the pit and the stability of the
waste dump should be completed. This may allow selected pit wall steepening.
Analyse the potential benefit to use narrow phases in the Super Pit option for a better
distribution and delaying of the waste movement per year.
The following studies would be necessary to develop underground engineering:
Exploration drift development to confirm rock characterization.
Hydrogeological studies.
Expand structural and geotechnical understanding of the deposit.
26.3 Process
Identify potentially leachable low grade ore which may extend heap leach operations.
A detailed leach pad sequential construction plan should be developed as part of the
feasibility study.
Review the possibility of using a shorter initial leach cycle with higher lifts for the oxide
ore thus accelerating early cash flow
Augment the metallurgical database with additional representative samples to ensure that
the recovery and comminution processes selected are fully characterized. Use the
database to begin construction of a geometallurgical model for development and later
operational use.
Project No.: C-580 Page 373 - 378
January, 2012
Caspiche Project
Copiapó, Chile
NI 43-101 Technical Report Caspiche Pre-feasibility
Study
Continue flotation optimisation testwork to maximise selective copper and gold recovery,
especially in the rougher stages
Continue process and equipment testwork to develop the most efficient combination of
processes to recover gold and copper from cleaner-scavenger tails.
Continue to review and optimise tailings dewatering technologies and strategies to
maximise water recovery and in-situ bulk density.
Review and optimise equipment selection to use the most efficient high capacity
equipment available as new prototypes become proven.
Use existing pilot plant products for additional vendor equipment testwork. If the products
become unsuitable or unavailable, consider another pilot plant campaign ahead of the
feasibility study or as part of it.
Economic evaluation considerations and inputs should be updated as ongoing
metallurgical testwork results become available.
identification of suitable local suppliers and contractors, to obtain budget prices and
unit rates for minor equipment, civil works, materials and construction activities
estimation of EPCM costs
Environmental: completion of the EIA, as a basis for permitting activities.
Community relations: continue the process of providing information to local
communities, resolving potential issues as part of the design process.
Project implementation: more detailed discussions with Exeter concerning the
approach to project design and construction.
27.0 REFERENCES
Aker Solutions, Stand Alone Oxides Plant, Pre-feasibility Study, June 2011.
AMTEL Ltd., Deportment of Gold, Silver and Copper in Caspiche Flotation Tails. Report Nr 11/39,
October 2011.
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), 2003, Estimation of Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, Best Practice Guidelines: Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy
and Petroleum, November 23, 2003.
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), 2003, Estimation of Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, Best Practice Guidelines: Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy
and Petroleum, November 23, 2003
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), 2005, CIM Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines: Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum, December 2005.
G & T Metallurgical Services Ltd., 2009a, Preliminary Assessment of the Caspiche Deposit,
reference KM2311, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, March 2009.
G & T Metallurgical Services Ltd., 2009b, Further Process Development of the Caspiche Deposit,
reference KM2403, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, September 2009.
G & T Metallurgical Services Ltd., 2009c, Further Metallurgical Assessment of the Caspiche Deposit,
reference KM2487, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, December 2009.
G & T Metallurgical Services Ltd., 2010, Advanced Metallurgical Assessment of Ore Type
Composites from the Caspiche Deposit, reference KM2555, unpublished report prepared for Exeter,
June 2010.
Galaz, L. J., 2008, Descripción de Equipo, GPS O Navegadores Manuales, y Coordenadas IGM
versus DIFROL, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, November, 2008.
Gonzalez, 2009, Caspiche Water and Power Benchmark Study, April 19, 2009, unpublished report
prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation.
Hatch, Caspiche Water and Power Supply Benchmark Study. Report Nr H331616-0000-90-236-
0001, April 2009.
Inversiones IAL Ambiental Limitada, Proyecto Studio de Linea Base, Proyecto Minero Caspiche,
August 2010.
Inversiones IAL Ambiental Limitada, Environmental Considerations, EBS Caspiche Mining Project,
June 2011.
Karzulovic & Asoc. Ltda, (AKL), Evaluación Geotécnica, Etapa Conceptual, Proyecto Caspiche,
September 2010.
Knight Piésold Consulting, Tailings Dam Wall Engineered Face Pre-feasibility Design (Ref. No.
SA202-00171/07), August 2011.
Marinho, R., 2011, Caspiche Project, Caspiche Mineral Resource Estimate Update, October 2011,
M40011, Prepared by AMEC for Exeter Resource Corporation, October 2011.
McClelland Laboratories Inc., 2009, Report on Heap Leach Cyanidation Testing – Caspiche Oxide
Ore Drill Core Composites, MLI Job No 3315, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, May 2009.
McClelland Laboratories Inc., Bottle Roll Tests - Caspiche MacNeill Zone Drill Cuttings Composites.
MLI No. 3420, April 2010.
McClelland Laboratories Inc., Heap Leach Cyanidation Testing – Caspiche Drill Core Composites.
MLI Job No. 3423, March 2011.
McClelland Laboratories, Report on Heap Leaching Cyanidation Testing – Caspiche Drill Core
Composites, March 2, 2011.
McClelland Laboratories Inc., Heap Leach, Milling/Cyanidation and Flotation Testing – MacNeill
Zone Drill Core Composites. MLI Job No. 3495, September 2011.
Mir, P., 2011, Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile, 30 September 2011, unpublished letter to
Exeter Resource Corporation from Bofill Mir Abogados.
NCL Ingeniería y Construcción S.A., Caspiche Gold Project, IPCC Scoping Study, June 2011
Outotec Germany, Partial Roasting of Caspiche Cu-Concentrate (Removing of As and Sb). Report
Nr 11/PNV/09, March 2011.
Perkins, J., 2009, Exeter 2008 Metallurgical Testing, unpublished report prepared for Exeter
Resource Corporation.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Geology and Potential of the Caspiche Porphyry Copper-Gold Prospect, Northern
Chile, June 2008.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Updated Geological Model of the Caspiche Porphyry Gold-Copper Prospect,
Northern Chile, May 2009.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Geological Model of the Caspiche Porphyry Copper-Gold Prospect, Northern
Chile, February 2009.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Some New Geological Features and Peripheral Potential, Caspiche Porphyry
Gold-Copper Deposit, Northern Chile, January 2010.
Richard H. Sillitoe, Some New Geological Features of the Caspiche Porphyry Gold-Copper Deposit,
Northern Chile, July 2010.
Sandvik Mining and Construction (SMC); Caspiche Project, Pre - feasibility Study, October 2011.
Selmar International Services Ltda in Conjunction With Neil S. Seldon & Associates Ltd, Marketing
Assumptions for the Pre-feasibility Study for the Caspiche Project in Northern Chile, August 2011.
SGA Limitada, 2007, Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, Proyecto Exploraciones Caspiche Central
de Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile, unpublished report prepared for Exeter Resource
Corporation, 31 August 2007.
SGA Limitada, 2008, Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, Proyecto Ampliación Caspiche Central de
Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile, unpublished report prepared for Exeter Resource
Corporation, 12 July 2008.
SGS Canada Inc., An investigation into Flotation Evaluation of Two Test Composites from the
Caspiche Project, reference 12403-001, unpublished report prepared for Exeter, July 2010.
SGS Canada, A Pilot Plant Test Program on Material from the Caspiche Project. Project 12403-003,
February 2011.
SGS Canada, Gold Extraction and Recovery of Copper and Cyanide From Leach Products From the
Caspiche Pilot Plant Project. Project 12403-004, July 2011.
SGS Chile, Bond Abrasion Tests on three Mineral Samples. Final Report Project OL-4557 (in
Spanish), June 2011.
Technip USA, Inc., Cost Estimate Copper Bearing Concentrate Roasting Plant and Sulphuric Acid
Plant, June 2011.
Tolman, J.T. and Perkins, J., 2010, Caspiche Property, Region III, Chile NI 43-101 Technical Report,
Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 13 September 2010.
Tolman, J., Van Kerkvoort, G., and Perkins, J., 2008, Caspiche Project, February 9, 2009, Technical
Report, Region III, Chile, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 9 February 2009.
Van Kerkvoort, G., Delendatti, G.L.A., and Perkins, J., 2008, Technical Report & Proposed
Exploration for Caspiche Project, Region III, Chile, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 26
April 2008.
Vila, T., and Sillitoe, R., 1991 Gold Rich Porphyry Systems in the Maricunga Belt, Northern Chile,
Journal of Economic Geology, Vol. 86, pp. 1238-1260.
Wakefield, T. W., and Marinho, R., 2009a, Caspiche Property, Region III, Chile, NI 43-101 Technical
Report, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 27 March 2009.
Wakefield, T. W., and Marinho, R., 2009b, Caspiche Property, Region III, Chile, NI 43-101 Technical
Report, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 14 September 2009, Revised Date: 19 October
2009.
Wakefield, T. W., and Marinho, R., 2010, Caspiche Property, Region III, Chile, NI 43-101 Technical
Report, Prepared for Exeter Resource Corporation, 12 March 2010.