International Enexco Updates Progress at Contact Copper Project, NV
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2011) - International Enexco Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:IEC)(OTCQX:IEXCF)(FRANKFURT:IE6) (the "Company" or "Enexco") is pleased to update its shareholders on the progress at its 100%-owned Contact Copper Project in Elko County, Nevada, where, as recently announced on September 26, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of adjoining land from Allied Nevada Gold Corp. ("Allied Nevada"). The acquisition more than doubles the Companys holdings in the district to approximately 13,000 acres. With the acquisition, Enexco sees potential for additional resources and reserves, and has scheduled a $1 million expansion drilling program to begin this fall. The Company is reviewing work towards a feasibility study on the project.
To view the Contact Copper Project photo click on:
About the Contact Copper Project
The Contact Copper Project is a copper oxide project located in northeastern Elko County, Nevada. Low cost SX-EW recovery will be used to produce cathode copper on site. An updated Pre-feasibility Study (PFS) was completed in 2010 by Gustavson Associates that showed positive economics at a base case copper price of $2.25/lb. The project as outlined is targeted to produce 25 million pounds per year of cathode copper over a mine life of 9.5 years. Overall copper recovery is projected at 76%. Capital cost from the PFS is $86 million, with production targeted for 2014 at an average operating cost of $0.93/lb of copper. After-tax cash flow analysis for the base case shows a 20.2% IRR and NPV of $44 million at a 10% discount rate.
From the PFS, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves for the oxide copper project total 54.1 million tons grading 0.29% Cu. The Reserves were determined from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 135 million tons of 0.26% Cu. Excluded from the project base case economics is an Inferred Mineral Resource of 53.5 million tons of 0.27% Cu. The Resources and Reserves were calculated with NI 43-101 guidelines using a base case copper price of $2.25/lb and a cut-off grade of 0.10% Cu. All Resources and Reserves reported in the PFS were limited to Enexco s pre-acquisition property holdings, and included limitations on reserves due to property constraints on the mine design.
Category
Tons
Cu (%)
Pounds Cu
Reserves
Proven
27,011,000
0.305%
164,701,000
Probable
27,138,000
0.280%
152,199,000
Total P&P
54,149,000
0.293%
316,899,000
Resources
Measured
52,976,000
0.282%
298,397,000
Indicated
82,233,000
0.251%
413,413,000
Total M&I
135,209,000
0.263%
711,810,000
Inferred
53,490,000
0.272%
291,368,000
Resources from Oct. 2010 NI 43-101 PFS update
Resources and Reserves reported at 0.10% Cu cut-off
Additional information on the project, including geology, resources and reserves, can be found on the Companys website at and in the NI 43-101 Technical Report Pre-feasibility Study Update for the Contact Copper Project, Elko County, Nevada as posted on SEDAR.
Previous Drilling
The Resources and Reserves in the PFS were derived from drilling done by Enexco between 2006 and 2010, along with previous drilling by companies Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc., Phelps Dodge Corporation and Calta Resources, Ltd. Total drilling by all four companies in the district amounts to 237,700 feet (72,450 metres ) in 268 drill holes, of which 92% were core and 8% were reverse circulation. Enexcos drilling represents 60% of the total footage, amounting to 142,000 feet (43,281 metres) in 156 core holes. These holes were drilled on Enexcos property before the acquisition. Of the 96,000 feet (29,261 meters) in pre-Enexco drilling, only 14,000 feet (4267 metres) in 17 holes fall outside of the PFS resource model on land acquired from Allied Nevada. In addition, Allied Nevada in 2010 drilled 4 holes (CON10-001 to CON10-004) on its property at the eastern end of the PFS reserves. In 2010, Enexco drilled one hole, EN-149, just beyond the eastern limits of the PFS resource model.
East Expansion
The PFS reserves fall within a plan area elongated 4,000 feet (1220 metres) east-west by 1,500 feet (457 metres) north-south. As seen in the accompanying map, the eastern end of the area was restricted by land ownership. The mine design terminated eastward due to depth of mineralization and the presence of property boundaries to the north and south. The acquisition allows the mine design to expand to full economic depth eastward. Within the 1500 feet (457 metres) east from the end of the PFS reserves, Enexco drilled 8 holes, as listed in the table below. Additional drilling is needed to in-fill this area and potentially extend it eastward beyond the furthest east hole, EN-149, which carries an intercept of 185 feet (56.4 metres) of 0.25% Cu. To expand the resource and upgrade it to Measured and Indicated categories, the Company plans 20,000 feet (6,096 metres) of drilling at a total cost of $1 million. Drilling for the expansion program is scheduled this fall.
To view the Contact East Expansion Area - Drill Hole Location Map click on:
Contact East Extension Area - Intervals above 0.10% Cu
ENEXCO 2007-2010
From (ft)
To (ft)
Length (ft)
Length (m)
Copper %
Drill Hole #
EN-134
330
410
80
24.4
0.15
455
477
22
6.7
0.82
EN-135
25
60
35
10.7
0.13
125
210
85
25.9
0.15
275
360
85
25.9
0.19
EN-147
77
210
133
40.5
0.30
350
370
20
6.1
0.18
470
535
65
19.8
0.23
655
675
20
6.1
0.54
EN-149
0
185
185
56.4
0.25
215
270
55
16.8
0.16
300
320
20
6.1
0.13
390
415
25
7.6
0.11
540
560
20
6.1
0.13
EN-150
125
145
20
6.1
0.34
270
305
35
10.7
0.19
495
565
70
21.3
0.22
665
685
20
6.1
0.46
EN-151
360
385
25
7.6
1.40
EN-152
180
200
20
6.1
0.14
320
340
20
6.1
0.65
395
425
30
9.1
0.25
EN-153
100
145
45
13.7
0.16
160
200
40
12.2
0.20
265
300
35
10.7
0.17
440
545
105
32.0
0.19
565
585
20
6.1
0.23
ALLIED NEVADA 2010
From (ft)
To (ft)
Length (ft)
Length (m)
Copper %
Drill Hole #
CON10-001
215