Glencore Xstrata expects to complete a feasibility study for its Zanaga iron ore project in the Republic of Congo by the end of the March 2014 quarter.
The decision to proceed with a scaled-back and staged-development plan keeps the project on schedule for a mining licence application in the June quarter.
Under the revised plan agreed with junior partner Zanaga Iron Ore Company, the originally proposed $US7.4B, 30Mtpa project becomes a first stage $2.5-3B development producing 14Mtpa.
The companies say the changed strategy will reduce their financing hurdles, but it comes at a cost of higher life of mine operating costs ($37-40/t versus $23/t) and lower pellet feed grade (66% versus 68%).
The changes also require Zanaga Iron Ore to contribute $17M to the costs of Glencore’s work program to the end of 2014.
|