TITLE:
Application of NSR-AISC Method in Reserve Estimation and Technical Economic Evaluation of Low-Grade Polymetallic Deposits: Taking a Low-Grade Copper-Molybdenum Mine in Guangdong Province as an Example
AUTHORS:
Yao Xue, Tengfei Li
KEYWORDS:
NSR-AISC Method, General Industrial Indicators, Low-Grade Polymetallic Ore
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Vol.12 No.3,
August
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: The development and utilization of low-grade polymetallic deposits with strategic mineral resources is one of the important measures to alleviate the current high dependence on strategic mineral resources in China. However, domestic mining enterprises and most mining consulting and design institutes usually use general industrial indicators to carry out reserve estimation and technical and economic feasibility studies on low-grade polymetallic deposits, which cannot truly reflect the economic value of such deposits. The article expounds on the definitions of net return value (NSR) and on-site total maintenance cost (AISC) of common ore smelters in the evaluation of overseas mineral resources. Taking a low-grade polymetallic copper-molybdenum mine in Guangdong Province as an example, comparing the research results showed the NSR-AISC method and the general industrial index method in low-grade polymetallic deposit. There are huge differences in the results of reserve estimation; through the further introduction of Taylor’s formula and the research results on the relationship between investment intensity and production scale, a more reasonable mine life and investment scale are recommended, and a more in-depth comparative study has been carried out in the dimension of technical and economic indicators. Based on the comparative study of the above two methods in reserve estimation and the evaluation results of technical and economic indicators, the author believes that the NSR-AISC method can better reflect the true value of low-grade polymetallic ore projects, and should be popularized and applied in resource evaluation and development practice. This article further describes the application status of the NSR-AISC method for reserve estimation and the evaluation of technical economic indicators, and suggests the main points that should be paid attention to in the use of the NSR-AISC method.