Finding the Best Path Forward for an Underground Copper Deposit

Project Stream: Conceptual / Preliminary Works
Project Stage: Resource Development Plan
Type of Mine: Underground
Region: Queensland
Commodity: Copper / Silver

The project team needed to determine the best development strategy for a Queensland copper-silver deposit, with potential throughput options of 0.5–1.0 Mtpa.

The challenge was finding the right combination of mining method, cut-off grade, productivity and costs. Getting this balance wrong could result in a sub-optimal production strategy and potentially make the project uneconomic.

MEC combined commercial mining software with an internally developed optimisation tool to assess a broad range of underground mining scenarios.

The analysis tested the relationships between:

• Cut-off grade
• Mine productivity
• Operating costs
• Production rate
• Available underground mining inventory

These scenarios were used to develop a “Hill of Value” style curve, helping identify the combination of strategic options that could deliver the strongest development pathway.

MEC identified a plausible development strategy based on an underground mine with an initial six-year mine life, with potential for extensions through known near-mine resources.

Indicative valuation metrics demonstrated meaningful project scale and potential return on capital, supporting the case for further study.

The project has now been completed, with MEC providing key insights and a forward work plan.

The analysis gave the project team a clearer view of the trade-offs between production, cost and value, helping identify where further technical work should be focused.

MEC has proposed further work to improve confidence in key technical inputs as part of the broader restart strategy, supporting the next phase of project evaluation.

MEC Mining helps clients test the options, understand the trade-offs and identify the development pathways that can unlock project value.