Completion of Scoping Study
Jubilee Platinum PLC
06 June 2007
Jubilee Platinum Plc
('Jubilee' or 'the Company')
Positive Scoping Study Completed For The Tjate Project
Jubilee is pleased to announce the completion of a scoping study ('the Scoping
Study') on Tjate Platinum Corporation Pty (Ltd)'s flagship platinum group metal
('PGM') Tjate property ('Tjate' or 'the Project'), located in South Africa's
western Bushveld.
The Scoping Study, which was carried out over approximately 15% of the total
Project area, demonstrates robust economics, showing a positive base case
internal rate of return of 22% for an initial investment of US$400 million. The
Scoping Study scenario outlined below, one of several considered, is for a
stand-alone underground mine, producing annually 262,000 ounces PGMs plus gold.
The mining scenario considered is for a single vertical shaft system to a depth
of 1100 metres and initially mining only Merensky reef.
The Scoping Study was developed in conjunction with independent consultants,
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, a member of the Snowden Group of
international mining consultants.
Scoping Study Highlights:
• Tjate mine to produce annually 262,000 oz (PGMs + gold)
• Internal rate of return (IRR) of 22% after tax
• Net present value (NPV) of US$292 million after tax using a discount
rate of 10%
• US$400 million implementation capital investment (ZAR3 billion)
• Metal prices discounted over current prices
• Only 15% of Tjate project area studied
Key Scoping Study Assumptions:
Run of mine grade 5.2 grams per tonne (g/t) 4E (platinum, palladium, rhodium &
gold); 0.22% nickel; 0.13% copper
Resource 34 million tonnes
Milling rate 1.8 million tonnes per year
Life of mine 18 years (full production)
Operating cash cost US$45/tonne
Implementation capital U$400 million
Metal prices
4E basket US$893/oz (5% weighted average discount over current
prices)
Nickel US$20,000/t (40% discount)
Copper US$5,000/t (67% discount)
Colin Bird, CEO of Jubilee, commented, 'We are delighted to have completed a
positive Scoping Study for the Tjate Project, which indicates a very favourable
return for Tjate developed as a stand-alone mine. As we now move towards the
preparation of a bankable feasibility study, engineering optimisation should
continue to improve the Project's economic returns.
'It is also very positive to note that this Scoping Study is based upon a
resource of 34 million tonnes, representing only a small proportion (about 15%)
of the total Tjate Project area. Therefore, considerable scope exists downdip
of and laterally from the current resource area and we believe there to be
excellent potential for further significant production expansion.'
Notes to editors:
The Tjate project comprises three contiguous farms, totaling 5,143 hectares in
the eastern Bushveld: namely Dsjate, Fernkloof and Quartz Hill. The farms are
downdip of Impala Platinum's operating Marula platinum mine and of Anglo
Platinum's developing Twickenham platinum mine. Jubilee has recently completed
the first phase drilling of seven boreholes on the Dsjate farm. All the holes,
as previously reported, intersected at targeted depths the Merensky reef and,
where drilled deeper, the UG2 reef. These two reefs are the two main PGM-bearing
horizons in the Bushveld.
For further information please contact:
Colin Bird Cathy Malins / Annabel Leather
Jubilee Platinum plc Parkgreen Communications Ltd
Tel +44 (0) 20 7584 2155 Tel +44 (0) 20 7851 7480
Andrew Sarosi
Jubilee Platinum plc
Tel +44 (0) 1752 221937
This information is provided by RNS
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