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Thor Mining (THR.L): Moly mining in australia


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Thor Mining PLC - Results of DFS

 

NS Number:1508N Thor Mining PLC 04 December 2006

 

 

THOR MINING PLC

 

Results of the definitive feasibility study at Moliyhil

 

Dated: 4 December 2006

 

Thor Mining PLC ("Thor" or the "Company") the specialist metals company currently focussed on advancing tungsten-molybdenum and uranium projects in the Northern Territory of Australia, today announced the completion of a definitive feasibility study ("DFS") on the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum Project ("Molyhil") in the Northern Territory of Australia. The study confirmed that the project is technically and economically viable, with strong financial returns and a rapid capital payback.

 

Following release of the DFS today trading resumed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

 

Highlights

 

* DFS on Molyhil confirms viability of a 300,000tpa mining and processing

 

operation;

 

* Thor will proceed with the development which has a rapid capital payback

 

and strong financial returns;

 

* Financial modelling for the project indicates a pre-royalty EBIT of AUD117

 

million over the first 4 years;

 

* A NPV of AUD88 million discounted at 8% at an average AUD/USD exchange

 

rate of 0.73;

 

* An IRR of 111%;

 

* Significant opportunities identified for reduction of CAPEX through the

 

purchase of second-hand equipment; and

 

* Further drilling planned for the first quarter of 2007, which is designed

 

to increase the life of mine within open pit designs and to increase the

 

resource at depth.

 

Introduction

 

The Board today agreed to proceed with a new mine development at Molyhil, subject to securing all necessary approvals, including a suitable off take agreement; and completing a fund raising in the first quarter of 2007.

 

The DFS, which was carried out over the past 12 months, paves the way for the financing and development of Molyhil during 2007. The Company proposes to complete a fundraising and an off take agreement during the first quarter of 2007. Thor is currently in discussions with a number of parties in relation to this, however, at this stage, no terms have been agreed. Construction is targeted to commence in May 2007 with first production in the first quarter of 2008.

 

The DFS confirmed the viability of a mining and processing operation based on a JORC compliant resource for the Molyhil deposit of 2.4 million tonnes grading 0.8% combined tungsten WO3 and molybdenum MoS2 to a vertical depth of 150 metres.

 

The operation would be based on an open pit mining operation and 300,000tpa process plant with an initial 4-year mine life. Drilling is planned in 2007 to extend the mine life both within the planned pit designs and at depth. This deep drilling is to be completed with a view to extending the life of the mine by underground mining at the cessation of open pit operations.

 

Estimated recoveries based on metallurgical test work of 67% for tungsten and 77% for molybdenum, the operation would generate two quality concentrate products, initially by flotation of molybdenum (MoS2), followed by gravity separation and concentration of tungsten (WO3).

 

The estimated capital cost is AUD44.5 million, which includes the engineering, procurement and construction management contracts and a contingency. The forecast total operating cost is AUD94/tonne. The stage 1 and stage 2 open pits have been designed to optimise cash flow in the first year of production to take advantage of current strong commodity prices and achieve an early payback of capital.

 

Significantly, the DFS indicates that a capital payback period of less than 7 months can be achieved with the stage 1 pit, with the operation generating a positive pre-royalty EBIT of AUD117 million over its initial 4-year life, using a base case sale price of US$20/lb of molybdenum and US$204/mtu for tungsten. At these base case prices the project has a net present value ("NPV") of AUD88 million, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 111%, and a capital payback of 7 months. However the projects financial model is highly sensitive to changes in the commodity price. For example, if commodity sales prices reduce by 15% from the base case level then the NPV reduces to AUD56 million and the IRR to 74% with a payback period of 11 months.

 

Thor has already secured key items of plant and equipment for the Molyhil development, including an option to purchase a spirals plant and tables and a second-hand two-stage crushing circuit at a significantly reduced cost compared with a new circuit. Additional metallurgical tests to further optimise the flotation conditions and concentrate grade and recovery forecast are recommended. No change to the current cleaning circuit is expected however further optimisation of the re-cleaning circuit is likely to reduce flow sheet complexity and possibly capital cost. A particular area of focus in the re-cleaning work would be the recovery of Mo in the -75 (micro)m fractions, especially looking at separation of Mo from both Cu and Fe. As a result of this a discount of 20% to the current commodity prices has been applied to the financial model. Additional test work focusing on the recovery of the fine tungsten, currently excluded from the flow sheet and recovery forecasts, is recommended and represents an upside recovery of 15%.

 

Based on the positive results of the DFS, Thor has decided to proceed with the Molyhil project, subject to determining a number of key outcomes, such as finalisation of the off take agreement and finance package as well as State Government and Native Title approvals.

 

Commenting on the DFS results, Thor's Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Young, said: "We are very pleased with the outcome, which confirms the viability of a mining development at Molyhil to underpin Thor's transition to production next year. The DFS indicates a rapid capital payback and strong financial returns, with the key to this project being rapid development to take advantage of current strong commodity prices."

 

"We have also identified several opportunities to significantly reduce the estimated capital cost through the acquisition of suitable second-hand equipment," he added. "This has the potential to enhance returns and improve the overall economics. Our focus now is on securing all necessary approvals and completing financing and off-take agreements over the next few months"

 

Executive Summary

 

The Molyhil project is a proposed open cut mine and processing facility to be constructed in the Northern Territory. The main objective of the proposed facility is to produce scheelite and molybdenite concentrate for sale.

 

Thor, through its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Sunsphere Pty Ltd, owns 100% of the Molyhil, which comprises EL 22349, totalling 829 km2 in area, and includes ML 23825 which covers the deposit (former open pit, waste dumps and Run-of-Mine stockpile). In 2004, Thor applied for ML 24429 to further extend the mining operation and recently MLA 25721 to cover the project infrastructure requirements. The combined mining lease applications cover an area of 247 ha.

 

The DFS report has been prepared by a number of consultants including Proteus Engineers, AMC and Golder Associates and covers the technical and economic feasibility of developing Molyhil. The DFS includes preliminary design, engineering and cost estimates for the mining, process plant and associated facilities for a 300,000tpa operation. The DFS mineral resources and ore reserve estimation was classified in compliance with the JORC Code. All prices are in Australian Dollars unless stated to the contrary.

 

The Ore Reserve estimate has been established through a series of mine optimisations and mine designs. The current pit model has proved and probable reserves of 1.094Mt at 0.21% (Mo) and 0.62% (W).

 

A two-staged pit design has been recommended, providing 201,621t of ore grading 0.26% (Mo) and 1.28% (W) in stage 1 and 892,237t of ore grading 0.20% (Mo) and 0.47% (W) in stage 2. Stripping ratios are 8.0:1 and 7.4:1 respectively. Mining is planned to be undertaken by conventional truck and shovel operations under contract mining arrangements.

 

The metallurgical test work and resultant process flow sheet indicate the recovery of 889 tpa of dry Molybdenite concentrate (77.0% recovery of Mo) and 1,511tpa of dry Tungsten concentrate (67.20% recovery of WO3) at saleable specifications. Additional test work is being commissioned to finesse the recovery/grade of both concentrates. No change to the current cleaning circuit is expected however further optimisation of the re-cleaning circuit is likely to reduce flow sheet complexity and possibly capital cost. A particular area of focus in the re-cleaning work would be the recovery of Mo in the -75 (micro)m fractions, especially looking at separation of Mo from both Cu and Fe. As a result of this, a discount of 20% to the current commodity price has been applied in the financial model. Additional test work focusing on the recovery of the fine tungsten, currently excluded from the flow sheet and recovery forecasts, is recommended and represents an upside recovery of 15%.

 

The suggested process flow sheet is a partial secondary crush SAG comminution circuit, followed by flotation to produce a Molybdenite concentrate. A final stage of flotation removes pyrite prior to a gravity separation of the Tungsten concentrate, with subsequent magnetic and high tension separation of the dried Tungsten primary concentrate to reject the remaining magnetic and conducting minerals to produce a saleable tungsten concentrate.

 

Geochemical test work on representative tailings samples has been commissioned with results anticipated in January 2007. Provision has been made in the design of the tailings storage facility for the installation of a liner and underdrainage system if geochemical testing of the tailings and tailings liquor indicate that the installation would be required.

 

The cost of three subsequent 1.5m lifts to contain the final tailings volumes has been included in the operational costs.

 

While it is anticipated that the project will require a formal assessment through a Public Environmental Review, no environmental or heritage concerns have been identified that cannot be managed within the framework of an Environmental Management Plan.

 

The estimated capital cost for the Molyhil process plant and facility, including an allowance for contingency, EPCM and Owner's costs is AUD45.5 million. No allowance has been made in the base case for escalation over the project life. The effect of escalation on the capital cost is illustrated in the sensitivity analysis.

 

The capital cost of the project has been reduced through the use of BOO contracts to provide the accommodation village, power station, fuel storage facilities and support buildings. These costs are reflected in the process plant operating cost which has been estimated at AUD63.10/tonne of ore treated. The average operating cost of the mining operation has been estimated at AUD31.04/ tonne of ROM ore produced.

 

In addition, there are also opportunities to reduce the direct capital cost of the process plant and facilities by AUD3.6 million through the use of second-hand equipment or by reducing design and construction specifications due to the relatively low project life required.

 

The operating cost includes transporting the concentrate to Darwin Port, but no allowances have been made for any shipping or handling charges ex Darwin Port as no definite sales arrangements have been agreed to date.

 

The base case scenario uses the following assumptions:

 

* A constant Molybdenum price of US$25 per pound less 20% discount; * A constant Tungsten (APT) price of US$255 per mtu less 20% discount; * No allowance for taxation, Northern Territory Government royalties or

 

Central Land Council royalties; * A commission of 0.75% paid on revenue received; * Capital expenditure of AUD45.5 million inclusive of AUD1.0M of owner's

 

costs, EPCM and a 10% contingency; * Salvage value of the plant and equipment is assumed to be sufficient to

 

meet final closure obligations; * Operational insurances and duties are assumed to be AUD500,000 pa. * Discount rate 8% and an average AUD/USD exchange rate of 0.73 has been

 

used; and * 100% equity finance.

 

Based on these assumptions the project has a NPV of AUD88 million, an IRR of 111%, and a capital payback of 7 months. The project financial model is highly sensitive to commodity price changes. For example, if commodity sales prices reduce by 15% from the base case, the NPV reduces to AUD56 million and the IRR to 74% with a payback period of 11 months.

 

The DFS confirms that the project is technically and economically viable and it is recommended for development.

 

Glossary of geological and technical terms

 

 

TERM DESCRIPTION

 

 

DFS Definitive Feasibility Study

MOLYBDENUM Molybdenum (Mo) is a transition metal. The pure metal is silvery white in colour,

fairly soft, and has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements. In

small quantities, molybdenum is effective at hardening steel.

TUNGSTEN Tungsten (W) is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite. It is a

very hard, heavy, steel-grey to white transition metal

. The pure form is used mainly in electrical applications but its many compounds

and alloys are widely used in many applications.

ORE Ore defined as mining product containing economically recoverable minerals.

SCHEELITE CaWO4, Calcium Tungstate

MOLYBDENITE MoS2, Molybdenum disulfide.

CONCENTRATE The valuable metal from which most of the waste rock has been removed.

WASTE Mining product containing no economically recoverable minerals.

TAILINGS (TAILS) The waste product from the process.

BERM The walls are stepped. The inclined section of the wall is known as the batter, and

the flat part of the step is known as the bench or berm. The steps in the walls

help prevent rock falls continuing down the entire face of the wall

SAG Semi Autogenous Grinding, uses grinding media (balls) and the ore itself to effect

the reduction in size of the ore to meet the size specification for the flotation

circuit.

PYRITE Iron sulphide, FeS2

SULPHIDE Minerals containing sulphur

COMMINUTION Process of reducing the size of the ROM material through crushing, screening and

grinding

ROUGHER The rougher flotation cells are designed to recover the coarse liberated and faster

FLOTATION floating molybdenite mineral

SCAVENGER The scavenger flotation cells are designed to recover the slower floating

FLOTATION molybdenite mineral

CLEANING Further stages of flotation used to improve the grade of the molybdenite recovered

Flotation from the rougher and scavenger flotation units

(micro)m Micron, one millionth of a metre

Mtu Metric tonne unit, a unit of mass used in mining to measure the mass of the

valuable metal in an ore. Customarily, the metric ton unit is defined to be one

metric ton of ore containing 1% metal, but it is the metal, not the ore, that is

being measured.

tpa Tonnes per annum

THICKENER A piece of equipment that recovers water from a slurry

ROM Run of Mine, the ore that is extracted from the mine to be processed

CELLS An individual flotation unit

RECOVERY The percentage of the valuable mineral that is recovered in the concentrate

fraction of the particular process.

MAGNETIC Magnetic separation is used to separate magnetic minerals from non-magnetic

SEPARATION minerals and can be undertaken on either wet or dry material

HT SEPARATION High Tension separation is used to separate minerals that are conductors from

minerals that are non-conductors

GEOTECHNICAL Scientific methods and engineering principles to acquire, interpret, and apply

knowledge of earth materials for solving engineering problems.

BOO Build Own and Operate, a contractual arrangement whereby the contractor designs,

constructs and operates the plant to supply product or services whilst retaining

ownership of the plant. The contractor is reimbursed for the supply of product or

services rather than for the supply of the plant.

PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange, a telephone exchange that is owned by a business

MATV Master Antenna Television System

EPBC The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation

NOI Notice of Intent, used to notify the Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries

and Mines of details of the proposed project

PER Public Environmental Review

APT Ammonium Paratungstate

CIF Carriage Insurance Freight, international shipping terminology denotes that the

seller delivers the product to the port of destination and has included these costs

in the stated price and will provide the buyer with the documents necessary to

obtain the goods from the carrier.

EPCM Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management

FIFO Fly in and fly out of the mine site. Employees stay in temporary accommodation and

return "home" at the end of their shift roster

OH&S Occupational Health and Safety

CCE Capital Cost Estimate

p.a. Per annum

NPV Net Present value, is the present value of cash flow minus initial investment of

the project. It is one method of ranking projects; it measures the excess or

shortfall of cash flows, in present value terms, once financing charges are met and

takes into account the reducing value of future revenue due to the anticipated

interest rate over the period.

IRR Internal Rate of Return, is another method of ranking projects and is defined as

the discount rate that results in a net present value of zero, and it is usually

interpreted as the expected return generated by the investment.

EBIT Earnings before interest and tax

 

JORC Compliance

 

The information in this report that relates to exploration results, mineral resources or ore reserves is based on information compiled by John Young, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. John Young, the Chief Executive Officer of Thor, has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves".

 

John Young consents to the inclusion in this RNS announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.)

 

Enquiries:

 

 

John Young + 61 (0)419 954 020 Thor Mining PLC Chief Executive Officer

John Simpson 020 7512 0191 ARM Corporate Finance Nominated Adviser

Limited

Leesa Peters 020 7429 6600 Conduit PR Limited Public Relations/UK

or 020 7429 6603

 

Jos Simpson

 

 

Nicolas Read + 61 (0) 8 9388 1474 Jan Hope & Partners Public Relations/Australia

 

Updates on the Company's activities are regularly posted on Thor's website www.thormining.com, which includes a facility to register to receive these updates by email.

 

 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

 

END

 

 

MSCEAPALEDLKFEE

 

http://www.asx.com.a

u/asx/research/CompanyInfoSearchResults.jsp?searchBy=asxCode&allinfo=on&asxCode=THR#headlines

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  • 4 months later...
A while back I bought a small stake in Thor after reading this forum and it's been going vertical the last few trading days (bouncing around 19p as I type). There's been very little news. Does anyone know what's going on?

 

They've got uranium on top of the molybdenum/tungsten resource. And everything seems to be moving along quickly and without problems.

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i have more than a double now, so am lightening up a bit- nothing goes straight up for long

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i have more than a double now, so am lightening up a bit- nothing goes straight up for long

 

 

Me too. Time to recycle some profits. Anyone have any good ideas for London-quoted stocks? Although I think I might sit on some cash for a bit since I get nervous when the broad indices start approaching all-time highs as they are doing now.

 

It's not a very sophisticated strategy but I haven't been actively investing for long and am trying to learn some capital preservation discipline in addition to the careful use of riskier investments of which there may have been too many! My success with small positions in ARU.TO and DNDN (a biotech) options (they both spiked big time) have more than saved me from some dismal microcap failures and I'm trying to learn from all of this and synthesize an approach that's less haphazard. Any thoughts welcome.

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some london stocks on my watchlist include:

 

TXO, SER, Ariane Gold, Central China Goldfields, Hidefield

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some london stocks on my watchlist include:

 

TXO, SER, Ariane Gold, Central China Goldfields, Hidefield

 

Central China Goldfields (GGG) interests me too at the moment. The problem is it's a falling knife...

 

From the looks of it, I reckon 8p is the lowest it's likely to go. What do you think Bubb?

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i have a "sales ladder" in place, so am selling as it ratchets up

 

might buyback some on a correction

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You mean you have a progressively increasing series of limit sell orders? That's smart. How do you manage that kind of thing across multiple positions? Do you have regular processes that you follow e.g. review and amend all open orders after market close? I can see that this could become tricky to handle if one isn't rigorous.

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You mean you have a progressively increasing series of limit sell orders? That's smart. How do you manage that kind of thing across multiple positions? Do you have regular processes that you follow e.g. review and amend all open orders after market close? I can see that this could become tricky to handle if one isn't rigorous.

 

i look at charts for my holdings every day.

here's a page where i do that:

http://www.advfn.com/cmn/fbb/thread.php3?id=9492907

 

(please post below, or drop me a PM if you regularly refer to this page- i would be good to knwo how many people are following that page)

 

when the price pushes up to new highs, i will put in a series of sell orders (i call it a "ladder") over the current price, so if it runs into the ladder, i am taking profits. However, if the stock rushes up very fast and on high volume, i may not have a ladder in place yet, and will often wind up sell;ing at a higher price than i first anticipated.

 

my larger objective is to get back my capital, or at least get "bulletproof" on most positions. this is expecially easy when you get warrants in a placement, since you can sell some percentage - like half- of your holding, and the warrants will assure you still have upside.

 

i havent sold any of my thor warrants yet

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