VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2010) - Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX:NSU)(NYSE Amex:NSU) is pleased to provide a brief update on the gold/copper/zinc Bisha Project in Eritrea. As a result of the recent financing, there have been considerable improvements to the project's economics.
Highlights
- Increased Cash Flow projections in 2011
- Mine construction now 50% complete
- Resource expansion at current metal prices
The Bisha mine is now fifty percent (50%) complete with plant commissioning targeted as early as November 2010. The Company expects Bisha to be cash flow positive in Q1 2011, with a 4% increase in the capital budget to $260M (originally estimated at $250 million).
Nevsun continues to post pictures of construction progress in the Company's photo gallery available at http://www.nevsun.com/project/gallery/.
Revised Economics
As a result of financing the project entirely by equity rather than debt, Bisha's projected cash flow model has increased through the elimination of financing costs and debt repayment. The chart below demonstrates the net cash flow at varying metals prices, after tax and capital expenditure, for 100% of the project:
Note: To view the chart, please click the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/nsu0223.jpg
Project Summary
The IRR for the Project using the above high metals case Internal Rate of is 63%, mid metals case is 45% and low metals case is Return (IRR) 20%. Deposit Gold, Copper Zinc Volcanic Massive Sulphide (VMS) Reserves 20 million tonnes Open pit 10 years, plus significant expansion likely (see Mine life below) Gold in oxide by carbon in leach for 2 years and then Process methods copper and zinc by separate floatation circuits
Expansion Capability
The economics noted above were conservatively based on a shallow pit model (depth to 200 meters) using low metals price assumptions ($400/oz Gold, $1.05/lb Copper, $0.50/lb Zinc). When one increases the metal price assumptions, the pit design will go much deeper, with limited additional strip ratio. For example, the strip ratio for the current 10 year mine life is approximately 4:1, as compared to a strip ratio of approximately 5:1 if the pit is re-designed to 400 meter depths, using $2.00/lb Copper and $0.75/lb Zinc. (For reference only, current commodity prices are now roughly $1,100/oz Gold, $3.30/lb Copper and $1.00/lb Zinc).
In addition to resources open at depth, the Company has identified two additional deposits within its licensed areas.
State Support
Nevsun has been operating in Eritrea for over ten years and has developed a very good relationship with the Eritrean government. The State has been a strong supporter of a responsible mining industry within the country, is a partner in the development of the Bisha mine and has honored all of its commitments in our business arrangement. Nevsun is very pleased to have the State as its partner.
