Pinto Valley has successfully demonstrated positive economics by applying a novel patented catalytic technology to existing dump leach. The plan is to increase copper cathode production to 300-350 million pounds from residual and high-grade waste over the next two decades, generating strong cash flow from the mine’s underutilized SX-EW plant, which is currently operating at only 20% capacity.
Pinto Valley intends to significantly expand leaching activity, targeting approximately 280 to 300 million tonnes of historic leach stockpile and 175 to 185 million tonnes of high-grade waste already scheduled for removal over the remaining 19 years of mine life. Potential to increase the mill cut-off grade to bolster copper concentrate production, thereby increasing the tonnage of high-grade waste available for leaching, will be studied during H2 2020. An updated NI 43-101 Technical Report was filed in June, 2021.
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