05:21 PM EDT, 09/11/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Barrick Gold ( GOLD ) after trade Wednesday said the feasibility study for the expansion of its Lumwana mine in Zambia is expected to be completed by year end, paving the way for construction to start in 2025.

Barrick chief executive Mark Bristow said the expansion unlocks the potential to transform the Lumwana mine into a long-life, high yielding, top 25 copper producer and a Tier One copper mine, capable of contending with the volatility of the copper demand cycles.

In a statement, Barrick noted the expansion involves first doubling throughput by twinning the existing process circuit and then by significantly increasing mining volumes. Plant throughput will grow from the current 27,000 tonnes to 52,000, doubling the mine's annual copper production from 120,000 tonnes to a life-of-mine average of 240,000 tonnes per year. The process expansion is supported by a ramp up of total mining volumes, which are planned to increase incrementally year on year, from 150Mt in 2024 to approximately 240Mt in 2028 and then to an average rate of 290Mt per annum from 2030 onwards.

Chief Operating Officer for Africa and Middle East, Sebastiaan Bock, in the statement said: "The phased ramp-up will enable a competitive cost profile over the life of the mine and annual operating cash flow and free cash flow are projected to improve by as much as 85% and 60%, respectively, based on the long-term copper price consensus. These production and cost improvements will contribute to an estimated incremental net present value (NPV8) of $1.7 billion."

At a flat long term average copper price consensus of $4.13/lb, Barrick estimates that the project will deliver an incremental IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of 20% and a total mine IRR of more than 50%, paying back the initial expansion capital in approximately two years after completion of the expansion. Post-expansion, cost of sales and C1 cash costs are estimated at approximately $2.36/lb and $1.85/lb, respectively, placing Lumwana in the first quartile of the industry, excluding the benefit of any byproducts.

Barrick cited Mineral Resource Management and Evaluation Executive Simon Bottoms as saying the process plant engineering has matured to a point that has allowed Barrick to select major equipment vendors and place orders for long lead equipment, including both mills and crushers. "We are starting detailed engineering works this quarter and expanding our onsite accommodation while building partnerships with key suppliers and contractors ahead of the pre-construction ground preparation works, which are scheduled to start next year," said Bottoms.

Commissioning of the new process plant is planned to start in the second half of 2027, said Barick, adding that once the new process circuit is commissioned, the existing circuit will undergo a series of planned shutdowns, allowing it to install upgrades, while ensuring uninterrupted copper delivery throughout the expansion.

It said the permitting process for the expansion is well underway, with the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment already submitted to the Zambian authorities and approval expected by the end of this year.

Barrick closed up $0.17 to $26.85 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.