Selkirk Copper's Minto Project Valued at $494M, Nearly Triple Its Estimated Costs

Selkirk Copper Mines' (TSXV: SCMI; US-OTC: SKRKF) Minto project in Yukon has been given a $494 million value according to a preliminary economic assessment, nearly three times its estimated costs of $186 million. This positive assessment comes from the low costs of restarting operations at the existing mine, which will have a post-tax internal rate of return of 47.8% and a payback period of just 1.9 years.

The study's base case economics assume metal prices of US$5 per lb. copper, US$3,600 per oz. gold, and US$50 per oz. silver, which are below current spot levels but still show the mine's sensitivity to price fluctuations. The assessment excludes pre-capital expenditures, $409 million in sustaining capital, and financing and permitting costs that must be covered before a restart can happen.

Selkirk CEO M. Colin Joudrie noted in a release that 'the positive economics described in the PEA create the platform for the company to pursue a restart decision at the completion of a feasibility study and permit amendment receipt in H2-2027 with targeted first concentrate production by H2-2028.'

The mine could produce 434 million lb. copper, 271,000 oz. gold, and 2.4 million oz. silver over its 13-year life from open pit and underground operations.