Ivanhoe Electric (US:IE) Newsfile·2025-06-23 10:45Core Insights - Ivanhoe Electric has completed a Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Santa Cruz Copper Project, indicating strong economic viability with an after-tax net present value of $1.9 billion and an internal rate of return of 24% at current copper prices [1][6][10] Group 1: Project Overview - The Santa Cruz Copper Project is located in Arizona, a state with a rich mining history, and is expected to become a major domestic producer of refined copper [1][3] - The project is designed as a high-quality underground mining operation utilizing a heap leach process, projected to produce 1.4 million tonnes of copper cathode over a 23-year mine life [1][6] - Initial capital expenditures are estimated at $1.24 billion, with first quartile unit cash costs of $1.32 per pound of copper [1][9][10] Group 2: Economic Metrics - The study indicates probable mineral reserves of 136 million tonnes at a grade of 1.08% copper, totaling 1.5 million tonnes of contained copper [6][26] - Average annual production is projected at 72,000 tonnes of copper cathode during the first 15 years of mining [9][16] - At a current COMEX copper price of $4.83 per pound, the project shows a robust after-tax net present value of $1.9 billion [11][12] Group 3: Financing and Development - Project financing efforts are already underway, with potential support from U.S. government agencies and commercial lending institutions [2][41] - A Letter of Interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States outlines potential debt financing of up to $825 million [2] - Initial construction is targeted for the first half of 2026, with first copper cathode production expected in 2028 [1][44] Group 4: Technological and Operational Aspects - The project will utilize modern mining technologies, including tele-remote-operated electric fleets and advanced grade control technologies [30][31] - The heap leach process is designed to achieve high copper recoveries of 92.2% over the life of the mine [9][36] - The project is expected to create high-paying jobs in Arizona and contribute significantly to domestic copper production [5][30] Group 5: Environmental and Regulatory Considerations - The project is located on 100%-owned private land, which facilitates a streamlined permitting process [21][41] - Permits required for construction activities are in preparation or have been submitted, with several already obtained for exploration [42][44] - The project aims to produce pure copper cathode for immediate sale to American industry, minimizing environmental impact by avoiding traditional smelting processes [5][10]