Indonesian-focused explorer Sihayo Gold has hailed the “truly transformational” benefits of caustic pre-leaching for its Sihayo Starter project in North Sumatra.
Exec chairman Colin Moorehead says high PH pre-leaching can improve the economics of its openpit ore reserve and potential to unlock deeper, high-grade mineralisation beneath the current planned pit shell.
An updated ore reserve estimate and project economics study lifts gold production forecast to 653,000oz, from 551,00oz in its 2022 FS update. Additional costs associated with caustic leaching contribute to increasing AISC to $US1,007/oz (previously $972/oz) while upfront capital requirement comes down to $221M ($243M).
It presents pre-tax NPV at 5% discount of $169M ($114M), IRR of 20.4% (16.2%) and payback of 3.75 years (4 years).