The numbers no longer workGreg promised 70k ounces per year from a 4 module factory. Based on what we have been told about module 1, this is impossible. Here are the numbers.
When module 1 is running 2 shifts in June, they hope it can produced 5000 pounds per day with 80% availability. In a week, this would be 5 x 5000 x 80% = 20,000 pounds per week or 9 tonnes per week.
The feed stocks is expected to be low grade and mid grade. Low grade is 200-500 ppm, and mid grade is 500-1200 ppm. Guaranteed the majority will be the low end of low grade. I think an average of 400 ppm is probably all we can expect.
Production at 400 ppm would be: 400 grams/tonne x 9 tonnes/week x 95% recovery = 3400 grams pwer week or 109 ounces per week. Assuming 50 weeks/year, that would be 5450 ounces per year.
With 4 modules, you get 5450 x 4 = 22k ounces per year.
22k ounces per year at $900 per ounce for platinum gives $20M in sales per year.
Then subtract the costs.
Cost of procuring catayltic converters = 50% or $10M
Cost of labor = 80 employees @ $65k each for wages and benefits = $5M
Cost of chemicals & supplies = $2M
Overhead cost = $8M
Total costs = $25M
Expected loss per year = $20M - $25M = $5M loss per year.
The economics just does not work with these numbers.