Southern Hemisphere Mining has delivered 36% increase in the copper gold Resource at its Llahuin Copper Project in Chile.

A Scoping Study is underway; on a potential 45,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonne per annum operation at Llahuin which the large increase in resource could feed a high grade core which could significantly enhance project economics.

The Measured and Indicated inventory is now sitting at 144.9 million tonnes at 0.4% copper equivalent for 435,650 tonnes of copper and 459,180 ounces of gold. The high confidence Measured category now hosts 88.9 million tonnes at 0.42% copper equivalent and there is an additional Inferred Resource of 16.7 million tonnes at 0.33% copper equivalent.

In addition to the substantial Resource upgrade, recent drilling at the Llahuin Central Porphyry Zone has delineated a high grade core, currently showing 51 million tonnes at 0.5% copper equivalent which will be easily accessible and has the potential to provide higher grade feed during the early stages of production.

Importantly, this corresponds to more than four years higher grade feed during the initial stages of production and significantly enhances the financial robustness of the project.

Mr Trevor Tennant MD of Southern Hemisphere said that “The rapid expansion of the Resource inventory at Llahuin was testament to the effectiveness and focus of Southern Hemisphere's drilling programs, as well as the quality and potential of the Project as the foundation for a potential mine development. Our target is a mine with an annual throughput of 12 million tonnes which would require the identification of 180 million tonnes of mill feed."

Source - MENAFN, Proactive Investors

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