Lion Copper and Gold Corp (TSX-V:LEO, OTCQB:LCGMF) has released a new preliminary economic assessment on its Yerington copper project that showcases a strong financial picture highlighted by the innovative use of Rio Tinto's Nuton technologies.
The preliminary economic assessment (PEA) outlines an open-pit mining scenario, followed by a heap leach operation, leveraging Rio Tinto's Nuton technologies for processing primary sulfide copper materials.
The utilization of Nuton technologies, funded through an agreement with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto subsidiary, emerges as the project's preferred and foundational method, serving as a cornerstone for the PEA.
The PEA boasts a post-tax net present value (NPV7%) of $356 million, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 17.4%, and a 12-year open-pit mine life with a forecasted copper production of 1.4 billion pounds.
As well, the adoption of Nuton technologies for recovering cathode copper from primary sulfide materials eliminates the need for concentrator, tailings impoundment, and smelter operations.
Lion CG merges the Yerington and MacArthur projects into an integrated mining operation, commencing with reprocessing legacy rock stockpiles at the Yerington Mine and culminating in the extraction of oxide material from the MacArthur Mine.
The company is also prioritizing environmental stewardship, water conservation, and community benefits, with a minimal project footprint and the innovative use of Nuton technologies to minimize resource-intensive processes.
Travis Naugle, Lion CG’s CEO, told shareholders that the projected economics “showcase the tremendous value that can be unlocked by adopting an innovative and sustainable approach centered around Nuton technologies for primary sulfide processing.”
“We are dedicated to advancing the Yerington copper project in a positive manner that prioritizes environmental stewardship, water conservation, and benefits for tribal and local communities,” Naugle said in a statement.
“The minimal footprint of our optimized strategy, with its consolidated infrastructure sited within the brownfield Yerington area, exemplifies our commitment to sustainable development that benefits all stakeholders. This PEA marks an important milestone, and we look forward to advancing the Yerington copper project with Nuton in a manner aligned with our ethos of creating shared value."
Lion Copper and Gold is a Canadian-based company advancing its flagship copper assets at Yerington, Nevada through an option to earn-in agreement with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture.