Candente Copper Announces Positive Pre-Feasibility Progress Report for the Canariaco Norte Copper Project
NPV of US$960.0M and IRR of 17.7%
(After tax, long term copper price of US$2.25 /lb, and 8% discount rate)
Copper Production to Average 262 million Pounds per Year
Over Mine Life of 22 Years
Vancouver, British Columbia, January 18, 2011. Candente Copper Corp.(TSX:DNT, BVL:DNT, US:CDOUF) ("Candente") is very pleased to announcereceipt from AMEC Americas Limited ("AMEC") of a positivePre-Feasibility Progress Report for its 100% owned Cañariaco Nortecopper project in Northern Peru.
Based on projected annual production of 262 million lbs of copper,39,000 ozs of gold and 911,000 ozs of silver over a mine life of 22years, the Cañariaco Norte project has an after tax net present value("NPV") of US$960.0M, and after tax Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of17.7% using a long term copper price reverting to US$2.25 /lb and adiscount rate of 8%.
The key parameters of the Pre-Feasibility Progress Report are as follows:
After-tax NPV of US$960.0M for base case with US$2.25 /lb Cu, US$1,015 /oz gold, US$15.85 /oz silver, and 8% discount rate
After-tax IRR of 17.7% for base case with US$2.25 /lb Cu, US$1,015 /oz gold, and US$15.85 /oz silver
Highly leveraged to higher copper price
Payback of preproduction capital in 3.1 years
Cash operating cost of US
.99 /lb of copper including all on-site and off-site costs, TCRC charges, net of by-product credits
Average metal production of 262 million pounds (119,000 tonnes) copper /yr, 39,000 ozs gold per year, and 911,000 ozs silver per year
Average production of 306 million pounds (139,000 tonnes) copper /yr for first 3 years of production
Preproduction capital cost of US$1.437 billion based on leased mining equipment and including contingency of 20%
All in capital cost of US$1.565 billion based on leased mining equipment and including working capital, life-of-mine sustaining capital, and closure cost
Processing rate of 95,000 t/day using conventional crush/grind and flotation technology
Waste to ore strip ratio of 0.98 to 1
Average life-of-mine metal recoveries of 89.7% for copper, 55% for gold and 50% for silver
Concentrate grades average approximately 30% copper, 3 g/t gold and 73 g/t silver
22 year mine life, with potential for extension by mining additional resources identified below proposed pit
Cañariaco Norte is located at a moderate elevation with pit centroid and process plant at approximately 3,000 metres above sea level;
Connection to national power grid approximately 57 km
New access road to major paved highway approximately 42 km
Significant potential for discovery of additional resources at nearby Cañariaco Sur and Quebrada Verde targets
Management Discussion
"We are very pleased with the results of the Cañariaco NortePre-Feasibility Progress Report," stated Sean Waller, P.Eng., Presidentof Candente. "The work completed by Candente and AMEC during 2010certainly demonstrates the very attractive technical and financialparameters of the Cañariaco Norte project. With the significantincrease in the size of the resource announced late last year, a solidscope of development and robust financials, Cañariaco Norte is rapidlyevolving into one of the premier undeveloped large scale copper projectsin the world - with the added benefit of being located in Peru."
The Cañariaco Norte project offers many advantages. It is reasonablyclose to key road and power infrastructure, has a low strip ratio, softrock, low operating cost, offers excellent potential for discovery ofadditional resources, and is located in Peru, one of the most favourablecountries in the world for mining project development.
Candente advises readers that additional geotechnical drilling and rockquality assessment is required to complete the open pit slope design to alevel consistent with generally accepted prefeasibility requirements.Due to the preliminary level of pit wall design, this report does notmeet the criteria of a Pre-Feasibility Study and therefore is classifiedas a Pre-Feasibility Progress Report.
The above ground structures in the tailings management facility ("TMF")have been designed to a pre-feasibility level, however geotechnicalinvestigations in the TMF area have not been completed and as a resultthere is a risk that the TMF design may require revision. The remainderof the Pre-Feasibility Study Progress Report does however meet apre-feasibility level of assessment, and Candente is satisfied that thisreport provides sufficient level of project development to justifyadvancement to a Feasibility Study.
Conference Call
Candente will host a telephone conference call for investors andanalysts on Tuesday, January 18th, at 5:30 am Pacific (8:30 am Eastern,1:30 pm GMT) to discuss the Pre-Feasibility Progress Report for theCañariaco Norte Copper Project, Peru.
Sean Waller, President and Joanne Freeze, CEO will review the report and take questions.
The conference call may be accessed by calling:
Toll-free 1-877-240-9772 in Canada and the United States
1-800-2787-2090 internationally
1-416-340-8530 in the Toronto area
The conference call can also be heard in real time at
www.candentecopper.comThe conference call will be archived for later playback and may beaccessed by dialing 1-905-694-9451or 1-800-408-3053 and entering thepass code 7678614, or at
www.candentecopper.com. The archived playback will be available until February 1, 2011.
Financial Analysis
The Net Present Values of the Cañariaco Norte project at various copperprice points and discount rates are presented below. Candente hasselected as the Base Case a long term copper price of US$2.25 /lb. Thefinancial model applied by AMEC utilizes a reverting price curve wherebymetal prices in the early years of operation are higher and graduallydecrease to fixed long term prices after year 10. This approachrecognizes the industry consensus view that future copper and preciousmetal prices will remain higher than historical price trends over theshort to medium term, with reversion to lower long term prices.
For the Base Case with year 1 production anticipated in 2015, theinitial copper price is US$2.92 /lb reverting to US$2.25 /lb after year10; a gold price of US$1,159 /oz reverting to US$1,015 /oz; and a silverprice of US$20.96 /oz reverting to US$15.85 /oz.
As of January 2011, AMEC is applying long term metal prices of US$2.40/lb copper, US$1,015 /oz gold and US$15.85 /oz silver. The CañariacoNorte project is highly leveraged to the price of copper. At long termcopper prices of US$2.40 /lb and above, the after tax NPVs and IRRsincrease significantly. Sensitivity to the copper price is presentedbelow:
Table 1: Project Net Present Value & IRR (After Tax)
NPV (US$M)
Long Term Copper Price US$ /lb
Base Case
AMEC
$2.00
$2.25
$2.40
$2.75
$3.00
Undiscounted
Cumulative Net Cash Flow
$2,742
$3,575
$4,072
$5,224
$6,041
Discounted
6%
$938
$1,355
$1,604
$2,177
$2,583
8%
$617
$960
$1,164
$1,634
$1,967
10%
$373
$659
$829
$1,220
$1,497
IRR%
14.6%
17.7%
19.5%
23.3%
25.8%
Table 2: Project Net Present Value & IRR (Pre-Tax)
NPV (US$M)
Long Term Copper Price US$ /lb
Base Case
AMEC
$2.00
$2.25
$2.40
$2.75
$3.00
Undiscounted
Cumulative Net Cash Flow
$4,335
$5,649
$6,421
$8,209
$9,478
Discounted
6%
$1,766
$2,414
$2,800
$3,691
$4,320
8%
$1,303
$1,836
$2,152
$2,883
$3,399
10%
$950
$1,394
$1,658
$2,266
$2,695
IRR%
20.9%
25.2%
27.6%
32.7%
36.1%
The financial model is based on open pit mining by the owner with leasedsupply of mobile mining equipment including scheduled additions andreplacements. All other project costs are the responsibility of theowner including process and infrastructure preproduction capital,life-of-mine sustaining capital, and closure costs. Peru corporateincome tax of 30%, employee profit sharing tax of 8% and the Perumineral production royalty is applied on a sliding scale of 1% to 3%according to revenue levels. Depreciation on capital equipment aspermitted by Peru tax regulations has been applied. Finance charges forproject construction capital have not been applied in the model.
The mine plan is based on Measured and Indicated mineral resources only,with Inferred mineral resources considered as waste. Mineral resourcesthat are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economicviability.
Capital Costs
Preproduction direct capital costs for the 95,000 tonnes per day projectare estimated to be US$904.6 million which includes US$171.9 millionfor mine preproduction development, US$381.3 million for process plant,US$101.5 million for tailings management facility, US$26.9 million forconcentrate storage and handling facilities at the load-out port, andUS$223.0 million for infrastructure including diversion channel, accessroad, and connection to the national power grid. Indirects, owner'scost, and contingency total US$532.5 million.
The capital cost estimate is predominantly based on 3rd quarter 2010costs. In addition to the capital cost, the financial analysis includesowner's preproduction costs of US$52.9 million, working capital ofUS$65.7 million, sustaining capital and closure costs of US$128.1million.
Table 3: Capital Cost Summary
Cost Area
Cost (US$ x 1,000)
Prestripping
$70,008
Mining Infrastructure & Equipment
$101,942
Processing Plant & Acid Plant
$381,277
Site Related Infrastructure (inc. Power)
$133,444
Tailings Management
$101,527
Project Access Road
$38,795
Diversion Channel and Reservoir
$50,753
Port Site
$26,887
Subtotal -- Directs
$904,633
Indirects
$243,076
Owner's Cost
$52,899
Contingency
$236,552
Subtotal - Indirects
$532,527
TOTAL PREPRODUCTION CAPITAL
$1,437,160
Sustaining Capital (Life-of-Mine)
$70,438
Closure Costs
$57,650
Subtotal Life-of-Mine
$128,088
TOTAL PROJECT CAPITAL COSTS
$1,565,248
Capital cost for the mobile mining equipment including drills, haultrucks and shovels (LOM total of US$291,773) is excluded and would besupplied under a lease agreement with the equipment supplier.
Operating Costs
Mine site cash operating costs are projected to be US$6.28 per tonneprocessed or US
.82 per pound of payable copper produced. All-in C1cash costs including concentrate transportation, off-site smelting andrefining, applicable taxes, and by-product credits (gold, silver, andsulphuric acid) are projected to be US
.995 per pound of payablecopper.
Table 4: Operating Costs Summary
Area
Unit
US$
Unit
US$ /lb Cu
On-site Costs
Mining
$/t processed
$2.74
$/lb Cu
.360
Processing
$/t processed
$3.11
$/lb Cu
.408
General & Administration
$/t processed
.43
$/lb Cu
.056
Sub-total Site Costs
$/t processed
$6.28
$/lb Cu
.824
Off-site Costs
Concentrate Transport--Land
$/t concentrate
$21.00
$/lb Cu
.035
Concentrate Handling--Port
$/t concentrate
$12.06
$/lb Cu
.020
Concentrate Transport--Ocean
$/t concentrate
$52.30
$/lb Cu
.086
Smelting & Refining
$/t concentrate
$181.31
$/lb Cu
.280
Sub-total Off-site Costs
$/t concentrate
$266.67
$/lb Cu
.421
Total Cost On-Site & Off-Site
$/lb Cu
$1.245
Credits (Gold, Silver, Acid)
$/lb Cu
.250
Total Cost
$/lb Cu
.995
Cañariaco Norte Project Description
An outline of the Cañariaco Norte project including mineral resources,mining, processing, product handling, and financial analysis is providedbelow. The development scope for Cañariaco Norte is based on provenindustry technology.
Mineral Resources
The mine plan and production parameters for the Pre-Feasibility ProgressReport are based on the Mineral Resources below (previously reported inCandente Copper NR010, Nov. 1, 2010).
Table 5: Mineral Resource Estimate (0.30% Copper Cut-off Grade)
Contained Metal
Resource
Classification
tonnes
(M)
Cu Eq*
Cu Eq**
Cu
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Copper
(B lbs)
Gold
(M Ozs)
Silver
(M Ozs)
Measured
338.1
0.55%
0.52%
0.48%
0.08
2.0
3.587
0.870
21.635
Indicated
414.3
0.49%
0.46%
0.43%
0.06
1.8
3.945
0.799
23.602
Measured+
Indicated
752.4
0.52%
0.49%
0.45%
0.07
1.9
7.533
1.669
45.237
Inferred
157.7
0.47%
0.44%
0.41%
0.06
1.8
1.434
0.304
8.932
*Copper equivalent grade including gold and silver values and basedon 100% metal recoveries. Copper grade equivalent calculation. Cu Eq% =(Cu % + ((Au grade x Au price) + (Ag grade x Ag price)) / (22.0462 x Cuprice x 31.0135 g/t)
**Copper equivalent grade including gold and silver, metal recoveries(gold 55%; silver 50%) and smelter returns (copper 96.5%: gold 93%;silver 90%) applied. Copper grade equivalent calculation: Cu Eq% =(Cu % +((Au grade x Au price x Au recovery x Au smelter return%)+(Ag grade xAg price x Ag recovery x Ag smelter return%))/(22.0462 x Cu price x31.0135 g/t x Cu recovery x Cu smelter return%)
This updated mineral resource estimate is based on 230 drill holes andincludes the results of 16 drill holes completed after the previousestimate by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. in September 2008, as well as areview of the deposit lithology, alteration and specific gravities.Metal prices used by AMEC for the updated resource estimate are: copperUS$2.50 /lb, gold US$1,035 /oz and silver US$17.25 /oz.
Mining
The Cañariaco Norte copper project will see development of a large scaleopen pit mine utilizing conventional truck and shovel mining. The mineplan calls for the extraction of 728.2 million tonnes of mineralizedmaterial and 713.5 million tonnes of waste over the projected 22 yearmine life (strip ratio of 0.98 to 1). Average life-of-mine head gradesto the process plant will be 0.40% copper, 0.067 g/t gold and 1.71 g/tsilver. Importantly, the mine grades during the first three years ofproduction will be higher, with average feed grades of 0.48% copper,0.086 g/t gold and 2.14 g/t silver.
The open pit mine design relating to the angle of the pit wall slopeshas been developed based on geotechnical logging of drill core plus rockquality evaluation and compressive strength testing of a limited numberof core samples. The amount of geotechnical data available is notsufficient however to support development of a pre-feasibility leveldesign for the pit wall slopes. As a result, the mine plan developedfor this report must be considered to be at a preliminary level.
In the absence of sufficient geotechnical data AMEC has applied overallpit slopes of 35 degrees on the high west wall and south wall, and 44degrees on the lower north and east walls. Additional geotechnicaldrilling in the pit area is required to permit a pre-feasibility andfeasibility level pit wall design. Candente plans to complete therequired geotechnical drilling and rock quality testing as part of aFeasibility Study program.
Metallurgy and Process
Grinding and flotation test work was performed by SGS Lakefield locatedin Santiago, Chile, under the direction of Transmin MetallurgicalConsultants in Lima. Preliminary concentrate roasting test work for theremoval of arsenic was conducted by Outotec Oyj in Sweden.
The metallurgical test work confirms that conventional crushing,grinding and flotation technologies are appropriate for the recovery ofcopper, gold and silver from the Cañariaco Norte deposit. Thepreliminary concentrate roasting test work supports the application ofthis technology for the reduction of arsenic in the Cañariaco Norteconcentrate.
Processing will utilize primary crushing, semi-autogenous and ball millgrinding for size reduction followed by rougher and cleaner flotationfor copper recovery and production of copper concentrate. The copperconcentrate will then be subjected to a partial concentrate roastprocess at site to reduce arsenic levels and improve the marketabilityof the copper concentrate.
Final copper concentrate will be trucked to a load-out port facilitynear Eten in Northern Peru for ocean shipment to offshore smelters.Sulphuric acid produced as a by-product of the roasting process will beupgraded and sold to consumers in western South America. Processtailings will be contained at the project site in a facility design forlong term tailings management.
Water Management
Candente management recognizes and fully respects the importance ofwater to both the daily lives of the surrounding communities andagricultural projects downstream. For Cañariaco Norte, a controlledwater management system has been developed and preliminary engineeringstudies indicate that the Cañariaco Norte project will have minimalimpact on the local water resources.
Local ground water and surface water courses within the proposed minearea are expected to be adequate to supply the majority of waterrequired for the proposed mine operation. Discharge of water to theenvironment is anticipated only after project closure. The watermanagement system will ensure that discharge streams meet theappropriate Peruvian regulations for water quality and be suitable fordownstream agricultural usage. As part of the next phase of projectengineering study Candente plans to work with the local community toassess opportunities for the provision and distribution of water foragricultural purposes.
Environment and Community
Development of the Cañariaco Norte project would result in a significantincrease in local and regional employment opportunities and wouldgenerate significant ongoing expenditures to regional and nationalsuppliers for goods and services required for mine operation.Furthermore, the Cañariaco Norte mine would provide a substantiallong-term addition to the tax base for the Lambayeque region.
In keeping with world best practice, Candente intends to follow theEquator Principals and World Bank Standards for the proposed miningdevelopment at Cañariaco Norte. These protocols outline best practicesfor developing projects with regard to protecting the environment,biodiversity and managing social impact.
Permitting Advances
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") studies have beenunderway since 2007 with AMEC Peru S.A., an internationally recognizedenvironmental consultant in Lima. The assessment is ongoing but at thispoint there are no findings that suggest the project would not meetenvironmental approval. Candente has received several permits forcertain aspects of Cañariaco Norte development and previously received aCertificate from the Peruvian National Institute for Culture confirmingthat no archaeological remains exist in the area of the Cañariaco Nortepit.
Timeline
The proposed timeline for project development to production is scheduledto be approximately four years after commencement of a FeasibilityStudy.
Opportunities
Based on the work completed to date there are several significantopportunities that may offer the potential to further enhance theCañariaco Norte project including:
The mine plan for the first 18 months of operations may be optimized to maximize the IRR and reduce project payback period.
The Cañariaco Norte deposit is open to depth and the potential existsfor the mine life to be extended beyond the 22 years proposed in thisreport and/or the mining and processing rate to be increased. Bothopportunities offer the potential to enhance the economics of theCañariaco Norte project.
The potential exists to discover and delineate additional resources atthe Cañariaco Sur and Quebrada Verde targets which are locatedapproximately 1.5 kms and 3.5 kms south of the Cañariaco Norte deposit.These targets are located within Candente's Cañariaco property and,should an economic deposit be delineated at either site, it is possiblethat development would utilize the proposed Cañariaco Norte facilities.
Risks
As with most projects at this level of assessment, risks exist that mayaffect the development of the project. Factors that could pose a risk tothe Cañariaco Norte project include changes in world commodity markets,equity markets, costs and supply of labour and materials relevant tothe mining industry, extent of resources actually contained in mineraldeposits, geotechnical conditions, actual recoveries achieved inprocessing ore, marketing of concentrate, technological change, watermanagement, local community opposition, environmental permitting, changein government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry.
Qualified Persons and NI 43-101 Technical Report
The Pre-Feasibility Progress Report summarized here for the CañariacoNorte project was completed by AMEC Americas Limited, of VancouverBritish Columbia, a preeminent international mining and metalsengineering firm.
The findings of the Pre-Feasibility Progress Report will be disclosed ina NI 43-101 Technical Report which will be completed and available onSEDAR and Candente Copper's website within 45 days from the date of thisnews release.
The qualified persons for the Mineral resource Estimate and Pre-Feasibility Progress Report are identified below:
Mr. David Thomas, P.Geo. Principal Geologist with AMEC and anindependent Qualified Person as set forth by NI 43-101. Responsible forthe Cañariaco Norte Mineral Resource Estimate reported on November 1,2010 and included in the Pre-Feasibility Progress Report.
Ms. Alexandra Kozak, P.Eng. Manager of Process with AMEC and anindependent Qualified Person as set forth by NI 43-101. Ms Kozak servedas AMEC's project manager for the Cañariaco Norte Pre-FeasibilityReport. Ms. Kozak is responsible for project capital costs andfinancial analysis.
Mr. Tony Lipiec, P.Eng. Principal Metallurgist with AMEC and anindependent Qualified Person as set forth by NI 43-101, responsible formetallurgy and process, process equipment capital costs, processoperating costs, and general and administration operating costs.
Mr. Jay Melnyk, P.Eng. Principal Mining Engineer with AMEC and anindependent Qualified Person as set forth by NI 43-101, responsible formine design and mine capital and operating costs.
About Candente Copper
Candente Copper's flagship project is the 100% owned, 7.5 billion pound,pre-feasibility stage Cañariaco Norte Copper Project located innorthern Peru's prolific mining district. The Cañariaco Norte depositcontains a Measured and Indicated resource of 752 million tonnes grading0.45 % copper, 0.07 g/t gold and 1.90 g/t silver.
____
Sean Waller, P.Eng., President and Stacy Freudigmann, P.Eng.,Candente Project Manager are the Qualified Persons as defined byNational Instrument 43-101 for the projects discussed above. They havereviewed and approved the contents of this release. This news releasemay contain forward-looking statements including but not limited tocomments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs,geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potentialmineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements addressfuture events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks anduncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currentlyanticipated in such statements. Candente relies upon litigationprotection for forward-looking statements.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS
We advise U.S. investors that this news release uses terms that are notrecognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission("SEC"), including "mineral resources", "measured resources", "indicatedresources" and "inferred resources". The estimation of measured andindicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existenceand economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probablereserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that mineralresources in these categories will be converted to reserves. Theestimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as totheir existence and economic viability than the estimation of othercategories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume thatestimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economicallymineable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineralresources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that mineralresources in any of these categories will be converted into reserves.
On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp.
"Sean Waller" P.Eng.
President & Director
______________________________
________
For further information please contact:
John Foulkes
VP Corporate Development
mobile: +1 (604) 614-2999
local: + 1 (604) 689-1957 ext 2
toll free: 1 (877) 689-1964 ext 2
info@candentecopper.comor:
Walter Spagnuolo
Manager, Investor Relations
mobile: +1 (604) 306-8477
local: + 1 (604) 689-1957 ext 3
www.candente.comNR-015