Michael, Your specul;ations are wrong on many fronts.
1,2) Grade is adequate even at the low prices for copper and gold. If one perks up the economics change rapidly. With the Asian meltdown nearly over and China using internal $$ reserves I see copper over a buck within 2 months.
Gold, ??
3 Rock hardness is not as much a problem as you think. Hard britlle rock have a lower grinding index that tougher softer rocks. This has been studied in detail.
4 Used, ever talk to second hand Rose? Used equipments costs a lot less. With crushing and bearing surfaces replaced used capital equipment of this kind has as long a life as new stuff, longer, as you know that you will not break castings as the stuff has run for a long time. An old motor rewound can last longer than new, as the new stuff has been trimmed to nothing by cost accountants and has a lower safety factor. However the actual construction, piping and building it are not reduced so you only save about 20-30% over new, but you and I could live for a lifetime on that 20-30% and it affects the paydown significantly. Peggy is an expert as making a $ squeak. The crooked and doomed BC goverment has dealt her a bad hand and she is doing her best to solve the problems and I think she will succeed. The use of used stuff shows good sense, and lowers the first cost greatly.
As to forward looking statements, what is she to do?, say "we are doomed, we will fail, go home, never get out of bed" No way. Problems are for solving, not for being defeated by.
Bill Jackson |
