ZINC-COPPER: PEA positive for Ivanhoe’s Kipushi redevelopment

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Vancouver-headquartered Ivanhoe Mines has received the preliminary economic assessment for its redevelopment of the high grade Kipushi zinc-copper mine 30 km southwest of Lubumbashi. The PEA covers an underground mine, producing an average of 530,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate annually over a 10-year mine life. The a total cash cost, including copper by-product credits, will be approximately US$0.54 per lb of zinc. Kipushi has an after tax net present value (8% discount) of US$533 million and a real internal rate of return of 30.9%. Over its life, the mine will annually produce 530,000 dry tonnes of concentrate grading 53% Zn. Average cash costs are expected to be US$0.54/lb of zinc. Historical mining a Kipushi was carried out to a depth of 1,220 metres, and the mine has a series of vertical shafts of various depths and headframes, and significant developed excavations, and other infrastructure including pumps. The planned mining method is a combination of sublevel open stoping, pillar retreat and cut and fill at a rate of 1.1 million t/y. The dense media separation plant will include crushing, screening heavy liquid separation, and spiral concentration. Ivanhoe has posted maps and schematics for Kipushi at www.IvanhoeMines.com.