An open pit and underground mining operation would produce 533 million pounds copper, 841Mlb zinc, 10.6 million ounces silver and 129,000oz gold in concentrate over an eight-year mine life and 11-year processing life at 3,900 tonnes per day.

The project would yield an after-tax net present value of C$461 million at a 7% discount rate and an internal rate of return of 25% following an initial capital cost of $483 million, at price assumptions of US$3.50/lb copper and US$1.15/lb zinc. At spot prices, these are estimated to increase to C$931 million and 41%.

"The significant redesign and engineering of the project delivers a mine plan that is a predominantly open pit mining operation with the concurrent development of two underground mines," said Kutcho Copper president and CEO Vince Sorace.

The company said that after primary crushing, an ore sorter using a x-ray transmission sensor would remove low-grade and waste material from the feed to the SAG and ball mills, followed by conventional flotation, regrind and dewatering circuits.

The project will also feature a downstream tailings management facility which is designed to contain tailings solids and contact water.

Shares in Kutcho Copper are trading at C$1.04, valuing the company at $102 million.