Feasibility Study for Ajax Copper and Gold Mine in British Columbia
The Ajax property comprises eight Crown grants including the historic Ajax East and West pits, near Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
Following the release of a Preliminary Economic Analysis conducted by Tetra Tech in June 2009, Abacus Mining Exploration (Abacus) commissioned a team of engineering consultants to complete a feasibility study for the Ajax Project. Tetra Tech was responsible for overall management of the complete NI 43-101-compliant technical report, and specifically for the sections on mineral processing, infrastructure, and financial analyses.
The Ajax Project is designed to be a 60,000 t/d open-pit operation with an annual production of copper and gold concentrate containing approximately 110 million pounds of copper and 100 thousand ounces of gold. To date, Abacus is on track with following the consultation process with stakeholders and obtaining the required permitting.
To increase metals recovery, decrease operating costs, and reduce and control the environmental impact of the operation, Tetra Tech selected several new technologies and systems for the Ajax Project. These include the introduction of High Pressure Grinding Rolls into the crushing circuit, the selection of high-density tailings deposition for the tailings plant, and water management techniques that will make the mine a zero discharge facility.
Effective surface and ground water management is important to the mine’s safety and productivity, and to buy-in from affected communities. Management and conservation of water on-site affects all aspects of the mine plan.
As a zero discharge facility, all water that comes in contact with the Ajax Project mine is to be captured on-site and recycled back into the mining and milling process. This will minimize the need for “new” water from sources outside the mine site and contribute to preserving water quality in local watersheds.