Skeena based upon the legislative steps, criteria, and procedures. After obtaining the EAC, the Eskay Creek Project will require permits and authorizations in accordance with provincial and federal legislation and regulations prior to construction, operation and ultimately mine closure. An updated mine reclamation security bond will be established for the open pit project in conjunction with the updated mine plan and reclamation program under the Mines Act.
Skeena will apply for amended or new permits to support the technical bulk sample (not subject to a new EA/IA) prior to the EAC is issued for the open pit project. Separate amendments or new construction and operating permits for the open pit operation will be applied for after the EAC is issued.
Skeena will engage and collaborate with federal, provincial, regional, and municipal government agencies and representatives as required with respect to topics such as land and resource management, protected areas, official community plans, environmental and social baseline studies, and effects assessments. Skeena will form a project-specific working group at the early stages of the EA/IA process, which will include representatives from government reviewers and Indigenous representatives. Skeena will consult with the working group on project-related developments during the EA/IA process. Skeena will consult with the public, Indigenous Nations and relevant stakeholder groups, including tenure holders, businesses, economic development organizations, businesses and contractors (e.g., suppliers and service providers), and special interest groups (e.g. environmental, labour, social, health, and recreation groups).
Capital & Operating Costs
Capital Costs
The estimate conforms to Class 3 guidelines for a feasibility study level estimate with a ±15% accuracy according to the Association of the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE International).
The capital cost estimate summarized in Table 1-5 provides a summary of the Eskay Creek Project capital cost estimate, with costs grouped into major scope areas as presented in Skeena’s news release dated September 8, 2022 titled “Skeena Completes Robust Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek: After-Tax NPV (5%) of C$1.4B, 50% IRR and 1 Year Payback”.
The costs are expressed in Q1 2022 Canadian dollars and include all costs related to the Eskay Creek Project (e.g., mining, site preparation, process plant, tailings facility, power infrastructure, camp, owners’ costs, spares, first fills, buildings, roadworks, and off-site infrastructure).
The Eskay Creek Project will be constructed in two distinct phases: Initial (3.0 Mt/a), and Expansion to 3.7 Mt/a. The estimate is based on an EPCM execution approach for the process/infrastructure areas, and a EPCM execution for the civil-earthworks camp, and power infrastructure packages.
The following parameters and qualifications were considered:
•
No allowance has been made for exchange rate fluctuations.
•
There is no escalation added to the estimate.
•
A growth allowance is included.
•
For equipment sourced in United States dollars, relevant exchange rates were used to convert to Canadian currency.
•
Data for the estimates have been obtained from numerous sources, including:
•
mine schedules;
•
feasibility-level engineering design;
•
topographical information obtained from the site survey;
•
geotechnical investigations;
•
Firm and budgetary equipment quotes from Canadian and international suppliers;
•
budgetary unit costs from numerous local BC contractors for civil, concrete, steel, electrical, piping and mechanical works; and