Nevsun Outlook Provides 2016 Production and Cost Guidance 2016 OBJECTIVES
- Maintain top quartile safety performance at Bisha operations
- Deliver zinc flotation plant expansion on time and under budget
- Complete successful transition to primary ore processing by Q3
- Produce 40 to 50 million pounds of copper from supergene ore
- Produce 40 to 60 million pounds of copper from primary ore
- Produce 70 to 100 million pounds of zinc from primary ore
- Monetize 80,000 to 100,000 gold equivalent ounces from stockpiles
- Grow Bisha district mineral resources and deposits through exploration
- Continue paying peer leading dividends
- Continue to pursue M&A opportunities supported by our strong balance sheet
Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX: NSU / NYSE MKT: NSU) today announces its 2016 outlook guidance which includes revenues from copper, zinc and monetization of precious metal stockpiles from the Bisha Mine in Eritrea . The Bisha Mine, operated by Nevsun's 60 percent owned subsidiary Bisha Mining Share Company (BMSC or Bisha), remains an exceptional base metal mine with a track record of resource growth. 2016 is a transitional year as the operation moves into the primary ore body at Bisha, adding zinc concentrate production to revenues. All financial figures are in US dollars.
Cliff Davis , Nevsun CEO commented, "Bisha continues to provide positive surprises. The latest example is the unusually high-grade precious metal in already mined stockpiles that will be direct shipped to customers. We have 90,000 tonnes of 25 g/t gold material that could provide $40 million of additional cash flow for the mine in 2016, which gives additional financial comfort for 2016."
Zinc Expansion Project
Nevsun expects that BMSC will finish the zinc expansion project, including in-progress cold commissioning, by April and commence ore commissioning later in Q2. As of the date of this news release, approximately 94% of the total project is complete with total forecast capital cost not expected to exceed $80 million . Full commissioning is not expected to exceed 3 months duration prior to commercial production.
Copper and Zinc Concentrate Guidance
Remaining supergene ore processing in the first half of 2016 is expected to produce 40 to 50 million pounds of copper in copper concentrate at a C1 cash cost of $1.20 to $1.40 per payable pound of copper. BMSC will, after completion of the zinc expansion project, commence processing primary ore, generating separate copper and zinc concentrates. Including commissioning, production estimates are 40 to 60 million pounds of copper in concentrate and 70 to 100 million pounds of zinc in concentrate. Cash costs will be presented on a co-product basis once commercial production is achieved. We will provide updated C1 co-product cash costs once we enter commercial production.
The transition from the supergene ore horizon to the primary ore portion of the deposit will require diligent management. While primary mined grades will range from 1.9% to 3.5% copper and 3.5% to 4.0% zinc in the transition zone, the copper mineralogy is variable and the host pyrite minerals can impact metallurgical recoveries and concentrate grades.
Precious Metal Stockpile Guidance
Bisha continues to mine, and has historically stockpiled, a variety of highly variable precious metal materials. In 2015 Bisha invested in equipment to screen and beneficiate portions of the materials in an effort to create saleable contiguous lots of material. These efforts recently defined 90,000 tonnes varying materials assaying 20 to 30 grams per tonne gold and 800 to 900 grams per tonne silver. Bisha plans to market this material throughout 2016 and forecasts sales of 80,000 to 100,000 gold equivalent ounces from stockpiles during 2016.
Exploration Plans
In 2016, Bisha will continue its balanced exploration approach, focussing not only on near term resource expansion opportunities, but also on discovering new greenfield deposits. At Harena, drilling will continue to explore the deposit down dip where it remains open and is demonstrating a trend of increasing thickness and grade with depth. Opportunities also occur immediately along strike of the deposit to the north and south. Over 12,000 metres of drilling is planned at Harena in 2016. The Bisha Main deposit remains open at depth and a 10,000 metre drill program will focus on expanding the deposit below the proposed ultimate open pit. Greenfield exploration will mainly target opportunities in the Asheli area of the Mogoraib River exploration license, where a new massive sulphide deposit was discovered in 2015. Exploration work including 12,000 metres of diamond drilling will be used to explore the 4 kilometres of untested favourable stratigraphy. A total budget of $11 million is planned for exploration in 2016.
Sustaining Capital
The Company plans to limit sustaining capital expenditure to less than $9 million for the year.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Nevsun continues to dedicate significant management time and effort to external growth. The Company's approach to M&A is based on capital discipline and staying true to our commitment of generating a financial return on investment for shareholders that will allow us to maintain or grow our dividend in the future.