we already know how it's going...October 4th news release pretty much tells the tale of why the stock is weak IMO.
This is a cut and paste of a portion of that NR. Obviously a few people here haven't read it, so figured i'd post it. Highlights are mine...on a good note though, the build out was way below cost.
Nevsun's president, Cliff Davis, stated: "We are pleased to have reached this major milestone. The start of our zinc concentrate production coincides with the recent rally in zinc prices in 2016 and a decline in spot treatment charges for zinc concentrates. In terms of copper production, we are expediting work to increase the quality of the copper circuit product and resolve certain metallurgy challenges when processing the highly variable primary ore materials. The concentrate produced from the copper circuit is currently considered bulk con which while saleable is not of a quality that would normally be acceptable as a copper concentrate for most copper smelters. The complex mineralogy of portions of the primary ore mined from the Bisha main pit to date has prevented successful clean separation of the copper and zinc ores on a consistent basis so as to produce saleable copper concentrate in any meaningful quantities. Testwork with the assistance of external specialists is ongoing with continued efforts to resolve before the end of 2016."
Throughout September, the processing plant has operated consistently in a manner intended by the Bisha mine, achieving targeted metrics for plant throughput, including successful mechanical and electrical operations, with the production of saleable bulk and zinc concentrates. As noted above, both the existing copper and zinc circuits are producing concentrates, but due to the high zinc content reporting to both circuits, both products are being marketed as zinc concentrate. The transportation logistics from the mine site to the Massawa port continue to function well and the Bisha mine has made three ocean shipments of concentrate in September for sales totalling approximately $21-million (U.S.).
Production and selling costs, offset by the associated sales proceeds, for concentrates produced during the precommercial production period will be capitalized against the build cost. The build cost of the zinc plant was approximately $77-million (U.S.), compared with a budget of $100-million (U.S.).
Nevsun Resources is the 60-per-cent owner of the high-grade Bisha mine in Eritrea. Bisha has nine years of reserve life, generating revenue from both copper and zinc concentrates containing gold and silver byproducts. Nevsun has a strong balance sheet, no debt and pays a peer-leading quarterly dividend. Nevsun is well positioned to grow shareholder value through exploration at Bisha and the newly acquired Serbian assets that include the high-grade copper-gold Timok project.