As the above production target is in part underpinned by Inferred Resources, we note in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.16.4 that there is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of Indicated Mineral Resources or that the production target itself will be realised.
In September 2022, Rio Tinto approved development capital totalling USD 55 million to start underground mining in an area known as the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS). Underground production within LCS started in February 2023, and is expected to deliver a total of around 30 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper through the period to 20274.
These two investments will support Kennecott in building a world class underground mine which will leverage battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology, following a successful trial in 2022. BEV’s create a safer and healthier workplace for employees underground, increase the productivity of the mine and reduce emissions from operations.
A USD 300 million rebuild is also underway at the Kennecott smelter. The rebuild is the largest in Kennecott’s history and commenced in May 2023. A further USD 120 million is being invested to upgrade the refinery tank house structure and update Kennecott’s molybdenum flotation circuit with a state-of-the art, fully automated system. As the second largest copper producer in the US, this will allow Kennecott to continue to deliver a high quality product to customers.
Rio Tinto Copper chief operating officer Clayton Walker said: “We are investing to build a world class underground mine at Kennecott and strengthen our processing facilities, to meet the growing demand for copper in the United States, a key material for domestic manufacturing and the energy transition. This investment will position Kennecott to continue the strong contribution it has made as part of the Salt Lake Valley community for 120 years, injecting about USD 1.5 billion annually to the local Utah economy.”
Studies to inform decisions on the next phases of expanding underground production continue in parallel with work that is being advanced to extend open pit mining at Kennecott beyond 2032.
All the above investments are already included in Rio Tinto’s share of capital investment guidance for 2023 to 2025.
Kennecott Underground Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
The NRS has updated Indicated Mineral Resources of 10.8 Mt at 2.93 % copper, 1.20 g/t gold, 65.97 g/t silver, 0.008 % molybdenum, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 7.7 Mt at 3.13 % copper, 0.96 g/t gold, 18.41 g/t silver, and 0.005 % molybdenum identified based on additional drilling and an initial Probable Ore Reserve of 3.0 Mt at 2.39 % copper, 1.77 g/t gold, 18.59 g/t silver, and 0.010 % molybdenum5.
Mineral Resources are reported in addition to Ore Reserves. Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are quoted on a 100 per cent basis.
A copy of the Table 1 Release is available on the Rio Tinto website here.
1 All dollar values are in USD.
2 The NRS Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, together with the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, form the Underground Skarns Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.
3 This production target for 2023 to 2033 is underpinned as to 25% by Probable Ore Reserves, 9% by Indicated Resources, and 66% by Inferred Resources. Mined copper is reported as total recoverable metal. These estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves were reported in a release dated 20 June 2023 titled “Rio Tinto Kennecott Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” (Table 1 Release) which is available on Rio Tinto's website at resources & reserves (riotinto.com), and have been prepared by Competent Persons in accordance with the requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 (JORC Code) and the ASX Listing Rules.
4 This production target is reported as total recoverable metal and is underpinned as to 100% by Probable Ore Reserves. These estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves were reported in a release to the ASX dated 27 September 2022 titled ”Rio Tinto Kennecott Mineral Resource and Ore Reserves” and have been prepared by Competent Persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code and the ASX Listing Rules.
5 These Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves have been reported in accordance with the JORC Code and the ASX Listing Rules in the Table 1 Release. The Competent Person responsible for the information in that release that relates to Mineral Resources is Mr Ryan Hayes, a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). The Competent Person responsible for the information in that release that relates to Ore Reserves is Mr Stephen McInerney, a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). Rio Tinto confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the Table 1 Release, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Table 1 Release continue to apply and have not materially changed, and that the form and context in which the Competent Persons’ findings are presented have not been materially modified.
■
