Mineralisation is from surface to 300m, so open cut mining is viable - cheaper, quicker, more thorough mining.
A mineral concentrate processor will need to be built at Iron Creek. There is no way raw ore grading 0.11% Co equivalent can be economically transported to the Cobalt Camp refinery. It appears the concentrator will use proven technology, which is a relief. Idaho regulators will listen to good science but there will still be a processor permitting procedure to go through. I cannot imagine first ore in less than three years.
The CC refinery is set up to process Ag-Co ores. I wonder if Cu-Co ores have different needs??
The lack of announcements from drilling Cobalt Camp suggests nothing useful has been found there. We all were hoping a short-term lode could be found to restart the refinery and fund IC development. This is why FCC is trading 30-40c, despite the glittering eventual prospects for a vertically integrated business and the urgent need for North American cobalt supply.
Ash
FCC Price at posting:
35.5¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
