Wrap Text
Orion’s Flagship Prieska Copper-Zinc Project Moves to Post-Feasibility Study Field Trials & Enterprise Optimisations
Orion Minerals Limited
Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Australia
Australian Company Number 098 939 274
ASX share code: ORN
JSE share code: ORN
ISIN: AU000000ORN1
(“Orion” or “the Company”)
ORION’S FLAGSHIP PRIESKA COPPER-ZINC PROJECT MOVES TO POST-FEASIBILITY STUDY FIELD TRIALS AND
ENTERPRISE OPTIMISATIONS
- Water treatment and mine dewatering field trials commenced with potential to materially reduce project
capital costs.
- Enterprise optimisation process commissioned, targeting quantum improvements in project financial
performance over and above an already robust Foundation Phase mining plan.
- Key supply contracts negotiations under way in preparation for project construction approval.
- Granting of Mining Right and Water Use Licences for the Repli portion of the Prieska Deposit imminent.
Orion’s Managing Director and CEO Errol Smart, commented:
“We identified numerous opportunities to improve on the Foundation Phase mining plan during the feasibility study
process. In our opinion, these opportunities can result in quantum improvements in the already pleasing project
financial returns and risk profile. We are thus making use of the time, whilst securing and formalising project
funding, to ensure that the project execution incorporates as many of these improvements as possible, further de-
risking the project and providing for the best commercial outcome.
The areas of focus that have been selected for priority optimisation work are chosen for their potential to make
the largest positive impact on capital costs, reduce project development lead time and improve NPV. “
Orion Minerals Limited (ASX/JSE: ORN) (Orion or the Company) is pleased to announce that following the release
of the positive Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) (refer ASX release 26 June 2019) for the development of the Prieska
Copper-Zinc Project (Prieska Project) as a long-life, high margin, base metal mine, work is now underway to:
- complete pilot-scale field trials on various aspects of mine dewatering, viewed as a critical area for project
success;
- follow-up on the optimisation opportunities identified during the BFS, including mine-to-market enterprise
optimisation of the Foundation Phase mining plan;
- formalise key supply contracts to fast-track preconstruction activities and lock-in competitive pricing of
critical plant and equipment identified during BFS inquiries; and
- expedite the granting of the various licences needed to undertake mining operations.
Pilot-Scale Dewatering Field Trials
The BFS base case plan caters for the dewatering of approximately 8.7M cubic metres of accumulated mine water
over a 13-month period, before any mining can take place underground (Figure 1). Although the mine water has
been shown to have a neutral pH and has low levels of contaminants, environmental regulations require the water
to be stored in lined dams. The accumulated mine water is planned to be pumped from underground, via the
existing 1km deep Hutchings Shaft, using a cascading system of pumps into a surface, 1M cubic metre volume,
lined dam from which all the water will be evaporated, using a combination of natural and mechanically assisted
evaporation. The base case plan does not include storage in unlined dams nor the reuse of the water, both of
which are opportunities to improve on estimated capital costs. The plan is also premised on zero discharge of the
water from the project site, which presents another major opportunity to improve the project timeline, should offsite
discharge approvals be obtained.
Figure 1: Long-section view of the Prieska Project underground workings showing the accumulated water level.
Pilot-scale trials have now been commissioned to further test water qualities, refine the proposed pumping system,
investigate means of cost-effective water-treatment and to confirm the size and arrangement of evaporator units
to be used. Water treatment trials are being conducted first and are due to be completed during Q3 2019.
Thereafter, evaporator field trials are planned and are due to be completed before year-end 2019.
The water treatment trials will provide engineering data to allow detailed design and costings for treating the mine
water to a range of water purification specifications. Water treatment would allow offsite discharge and other
secondary uses of water to be considered and so reduce the volume of water that needs to be temporarily stored
in lined environmental control dams and force-evaporated. Reducing the footprint of the lined storage dam and
the amount of forced evaporation required represents a major target for capital cost reduction. A combination
of optimising placement of plant tailings as backfilling over life of mine, and a reduced requirement for sealed
storage and evaporation area, could materially reduce the capital cost of the combined tailings storage
facility/evaporation dams allowed for in the BFS.
A 5m3 per hour pilot water treatment plant, bespoke for the Prieska Project’s water and schedule requirements,
has been constructed and commissioned. The plant is a combination chemical treatment, precipitation,
ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO) purification plant, configured to allow measurement and testing of key
design parameters. The water treatment flowsheet is configured as follows, (see Figures 2 and 3):
- feed water is pumped from the mine into an aeration tank to oxidise dissolved metals and other oxidizable
ions;
- the aerated solution then passes into a clarifier whilst being dosed with cold lime to remove dissolved
hardness and to coagulate solid particles suspended in the water;
- the clarifier overflow, with reduced levels of suspended solids, hardness and dissolved oxidation load,
collects in a clear well, before being pumped through an Elfi self-cleaning suction strainer. The suction
strainer in use on the pilot plant, which is able to remove particles of down to 50µm in size, is the first of its
kind in use in the Southern African Development Community region;
- the screened water is then passed through a Hydranautics HYDRACap Max ultrafiltration (UF) system. The
UF is the final absolute barrier for solid particles, removing solids down to 0.08µm particle size, as well as any
bacteria and viruses suspended in the water;
- thereafter the filtrate is ready for RO. The RO process uses pressure to force water molecules through a
semipermeable membrane, filtering out contaminant ions as a concentrated brine solution that will reach,
in the pilot setup, up to 4 times the concentration of the incoming water. The resulting permeate (treated
water) can have up to 98% of ions removed and is thus purified enough for other uses such as agricultural,
ore processing water and potable applications.
Figure 2: Water treatment plant flowsheet.
Figure 3: (LHS) Water treatment pilot plant mobilisation. (RHS) Commissioning the chemical treatment, filtration and reverse osmosis components
of the pilot water treatment plant, setup to operate at 5m3/hr of feed water.
The pumping system, supplying the water for the treatment trials, forms part of the field trials. Specialised, self-
supporting, flexible hose, supplied by Hose Manufacturers South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Hose Manufacturers), is being
field tested for the planned Prieska vertical lifts. Hose Manufacturers have developed the Deepset Hose (Boreline
400) able to self-support to a vertical lift of 1,000m. The Prieska Project dewatering trial assembly uses an 18.5kW
borehole pump, attached to 3-inch diameter flexible hose, with a 378m vertical head as a single-lift, (Figure 4).
This arrangement is the first such application under trial globally.
Figure 4: (LHS) Boreline 400 flexible-hose suspended in the Hutchings Shaft, with a 378m vertical lift. This is the longest, single-lift pumping setup
using self-supporting flexible hose under trial in the world. (RHS) The 18.5kW Vansan submersible bore pump being lowered in the Hutchings Shaft.
On completing of the water treatment trials, pilot-scale trials of the proposed mechanically assisted evaporation
assembly are planned. The BFS relied on field trials using 15kW units. Trials using 75kW and 90kW units are planned.
Results from the trials are expected to refine the number of and improve the operating efficiency expected from
the evaporation units to be installed.
Figure 5: Feasibility study field trial of effectiveness of a 15kW evaporator at the Prieska Project. The planned pilot trials aim to test 75kW and
90kW units as the next phase of the program.
Enterprise optimisation
Whittle Consulting (Pty) Limited (Whittle) has been engaged to undertake enterprise optimisation of the business
plan that was formulated as part of the BFS. The enterprise optimisation process is expected to significantly
improve project economics whilst also mapping out key business processes to aid operational control and a better
understanding of the real value drivers unique for the Prieska Project business plan. Whittle has a demonstrated
track record of having dramatically improved base case plans, with previous projects having achieved in the
order of 10% - 30% improvement in net present value (NPV) from the base case.
Enterprise optimisation is a methodology for increasing the economic value of mining and mineral processing
operations through better long-term planning decisions. It involves a combination of ten mechanisms, which deal
with decisions at different stages of the mining value chain. A decision made at any point in the system potentially
affects the optimal decision for all other points in the value chain. The process involves the detailed and accurate
mapping and linking of the whole value chain, from the Mineral Resource inventory to the marketed product.
Thereafter, critical value drivers along the value chain are simultaneously varied until optimal permutations are
identified. Fundamental parameters such as cut-off grades, mining sequence, mining rates, targeted metal
recoveries, mill throughput rates, targeted grind sizes, feed blends, product specifications, product logistics routes
and variances in metal prices are all considered as one integrated system to derive a series of optimal business
scenarios. Whittle has, over a 30-year period, developed sophisticated software that enables this complicated
simultaneous optimisation of the whole value chain to be undertaken.
Figure 6: Value chain to be optimised using the Enterprise Optimisation Process.
The Whittle optimisation process will be conducted along with ongoing refinements and value engineering of the
individual components making up the project value chain such as optimised process plant layouts to reduce
footprint, streamlined mine sequencing including backfilling, and the selection of the simplest and most cost
effective route to transport the concentrates to market. The optimisation process is expected to be completed
by Q4 2019, resulting in a refined mining plan, ready for execution and that also incorporates recommendations
collected from key service providers and suppliers now being engaged as part of the preparation for project
execution.
Negotiation of Key Supply Contracts
The negotiations for key supply contracts and to secure long lead time plant and equipment are now being
advanced. Activities are being targeted to ensure the project is ready for execution by year-end and to take
advantage of potential savings in capital expenditure that can be secured with early down payments for critical
items of plant and equipment. Key contracts under consideration include:
- obtaining grid power from the national power utility, Eskom: whilst Eskom has approved the Company to
undertake the power connection works as a self-build program, administrative connection charges and
power tariffs are yet to be finalised;
- commissioning the next phase of renewable energy supply studies: a collaboration agreement with juwi
Renewable South Africa (Pty) Ltd is already in place that provides the framework for advancing the plan
to have over 50% of the project power needs supplied from renewable energy sources (refer ASX release
5 March 2019);
- securing water supply infrastructure and tariffs;
- placement of orders or option down-payments for long lead time items: suitable rock hoisting and materials
transportation winders, as well as ball mills have been identified that, if secured early, would result in
significant improvements in the project execution timeline and the mine construction cost.
- engagement of project management contractors;
- engagement of key workstreams service providers; and
- the marketing of copper and zinc concentrates.
Mine Operating Licences
Applications for the permits to mine the portion of the Prieska deposit within the Repli Prospecting Right boundary
were first submitted in April 2018 (refer ASX release 9 April 2018). These include an Integrated Water Use Licence
application (IWUL), Mining Right Application and a request for an Environmental Authorisation (EA). Applications
for the Vardocube Prospecting Right portion of the deposit were submitted in September 2018. Demonstrable
progress has been made with the Repli EA being granted on 3 July 2019 (refer ASX release 8 July 2019). The
imminent granting of the Mining Right and IWUL, represent the final permitting milestones required to complete
the Project’s regulatory approvals.
Along with the focus to prepare the technical and administrative aspects of the project for execution, Orion
continues to advance project financing discussions with the intention of having the project in construction phase
during calendar year 2020.
Errol Smart
Managing Director and CEO
30 July 2019
ENQUIRIES
Investors Media JSE Sponsor
Errol Smart – Managing Nicholas Read Barnaby Hayward Rick Irving
Director & CEO
Denis Waddell – Chairman Read Corporate, Australia Tavistock, UK Merchantec Capital
T: +61 (0) 3 8080 7170 T: +61 (0) 419 929 046 T: +44 (0) 787 955 1355 T: +27 (0) 11 325 6363
E: info@orionminerals.com.au E: nicholas@readcorporate.com.au E: orion@tavistock.co.uk E: rick@merchantec.co.za
Suite 617, 530 Little Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Disclaimer
This release may include forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, among other things,
statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of metal production and prices, operating costs and results,
capital expenditures, mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, and are or may be
based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-
looking statements inherently involve subjective judgement and analysis and are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are outside the control of Orion. Actual results and developments may vary materially from those
expressed in this release. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-
looking statements. Orion makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this
release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. All information in respect of Exploration Results and
other technical information should be read in conjunction with Competent Person Statements in this release (where
applicable). To the maximum extent permitted by law, Orion and any of its related bodies corporate and affiliates and their
officers, employees, agents, associates and advisers:
- disclaim any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to the information to reflect any change in
expectations or assumptions;
- do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the
information in this release, or likelihood of fulfilment of any forward-looking statement or any event or results expressed or
implied in any forward-looking statement; and
- disclaim all responsibility and liability for these forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, liability for
negligence).
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Date: 30/07/2019 07:55:00
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