Sorby Hills
Joint Venture Project

Boab owns 75% of the Sorby Hills Joint Venture Project. Sorby Hills is located 50km from the regional centre of Kununurra. There are existing sealed roads to transport concentrate from site to the facilities at Wyndham Port, a distance of 150km, and established infrastructure allows for fast track production.
regional geol map

Regional Geology (Geological Setting)

The onshore Bonaparte Basin is a remote and under-explored mineral province prospective for carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb (Ag) mineralisation.

The Late Palaeozoic rocks (Devonian to Carboniferous, 380 to 320 Ma) of the Bonaparte Basin were deposited on the margin of a rift basin bounded by Precambrian basement. Map 1 below shows the onshore triangular shape of the basin and its opening and deepening to the north. In the south and east, fault reactivation extending from the Halls Creek Orogen controlled its intra-basin geometry.

The Precambrian Pincombe Inlier was an emergent palaeo-high during Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous sedimentation and separates the Burt Range Sub-basin in the east from the Carlton Sub-basin in the west. The early sediment horizons of the Burt Range Sub-basin are referred to as the Cockatoo, Ningbang and Burt Range Formations, which are made up of basal clastic rocks (sandstones) and dolomitized limestone and clastic units, representing a continuation of continental to marine deposition. Within the project area the succession measures a total thickness of about 300 m .

The Bonaparte Basin sediments are the time equivalents to the Lennard Shelf sediments which host the Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) of the Lennard Shelf between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek in Western Australia.

Project Geology

The Devonian-Carboniferous sea appears to have been inundating an incised coastline around a pronounced palaeo-high – Pincombe Basement. The oldest sediments include basal clastic rocks with a gravel beds onlapping on the basement inlier to the east.  A thin succession of intertidal, and shallow marine to lagoonal facies is initially deposited within the project area while eastwards, in the Burt Range Sub-basin the basin floor subsided rapidly accumulating in excess of 2 km of marine sediments as indicated by seismic data. The articulated paleao-coast line is well illustrated W of the Norton deposit where an embayment of Devonian strata extends several kilometres SW  over the basement rocks.

Prior to the onset of Carboniferous sedimentation, the marine platfroma  the palaeo-topography effect appears removed.  Correlation between down-hole gamma profiles shows a gradual thickening of Carboniferous strata towards the east within the project area.

The mineralisation at Sorby Hills is located in about 10- 20 m of transitional facies between the Knox Siltstone in the hanging wall and the Sorby Dolomite in the footwall and is made up of reworked clasts of Sorby Dolomite. The extensive dolomitization is inferred to be genetically related to the mineralisation and has completely recrystallized the primary calcite-rich rocks, creating porosity estimated to be up to 15% in part of the Sorby Dolomite (Ferguson 1999). A secondary dolomitization event is indicated by coarse dolomite in fracture linings and vughs.

Sorby Hills Project Tenements
2dscf5328edit Comp

Boab Metals Limited commenced its exploration and resource delineation work at its flagship Sorby Hills Project in 2018.  Since then the Company has completed approximately 390 drill holes for just over 32,000m over seven drilling campaigns.

During this time the Company has taken a systematic approach and identified the most value adding opportunities. Mineralisation, continuity, structurally controlled mineralisation and discrete high-grade mineralisation zones were identified as targets.  The targeted approach in exploration drilling paved the way to an increased and robust resource and has allowed the Company to reach several critical milestones towards development.

The aggressive work schedule has served multiple technical purposes and resulted in the release of three progressive mineral resource statements (MRE) and growing ore reserves.

In 2018, Boab Metals Limited (formerly Pacifico Minerals Ltd) commenced Phase 1 of a 12,000m drill program, following the results in March 2019 the Company announced a Mineral Resources Estimate upgrade.

In October 2019, following Phase II drilling the Company delivered a Resource Update.  The resource update underpinned the PFS.

In June 2020 the company provided an updated Mineral Resource Estimate following integration of Phase III drilling.

In December 2021 a Mineral Resource was reported that incorporated the Phase IV and Phase V drilling program assay results. Previously an interim Mineral Resource update incorporating the results of the Phase IV drilling was released in April 2021.  Collectively, the results of the Phase IV and Phase V drilling programs underpinned the Sorby Hills DFS mining inventory.

The most recent Phase VII  drilling program concluded with the completion of 22 drill holes for 2,634m.  The program objectives were achieved with 24% more metres drilled within the planned budget.  See the positive drilling results here.

The drilling confirmed a significant intercept at the Keep Seismic Target where predominately zinc-lead sulphide mineralisation was intersected between 242m and 257m.  The location of the drill hole is around 2km from the closest ore reserves at Sorby Hills.  For more details on the Keep Seismic Target see here.

Figure 1

Figure 1: Plan view of the Sorby Hills Project showing the locations of completed drill holes for Phase VII with respect to previous drilling, the Mineral Resource and DFS open pit outlines.

Figure 2

Figure 2: Location of the Sorby Hills Resources

Figure 3

Figure 3: Detailed view of section and geological interpretation of SHSD_185 and seismic line WP_96-08.

Figure 4

Figure 4: Cross section of the northern extension drilling at Norton.

Phase VII Drilling Program 

The Phase VII drilling program concluded with the completion of 22 drill holes for 2,634 metres (an additional 24% of metres drilled than originally planned).  Of the total program 1,434m across 13 holes were drilled for a metallurgical purpose with another 1,200m across 9 holes drilled for resource/reserve expansion and exploratory objectives. See (Figure 1) for collar locations of the completed holes.

Key results included:

SHSD_171: 11.05 m @ 17.63% PbEq (10.98% Pb & 189 g/t Ag) from 81.95m

SHSD_174: 11.60 m @ 20.23% PbEq (8.78%Pb & 325 g/t Ag) from 74.40m

SHSD_164: 6m @ 9.92% PbEq (3.92% Pb & 170g/t Ag) from 101m

SHSD_183: 2m @ 6.85% PbEq (4.43% Pb & 69g/t Ag) from 103m

SHSD_184: 2.8m @ 3.84% PbEq (3.17%Pb & 19g/t Ag from 129m

Keep Exploration Target

A highlight of the Phase VII drilling program included a significant intercept from the maiden hole drilled at the Keep Seismic Target located approximately 2km from the existing Sorby Hills Reserves.

The interpretation of seismic data from petroleum exploration across the Burt Range Sub-Basin resulted in a conceptual drill target – The Keep Seismic Target.  SHSD_185 was aimed at testing the potential for a mineralised feeder fault system which can be seen in the seismic data and the potential for stratiform mineralisation at the Knox Formation/Sorby Dolomite interface. (Figure 3).

Assay results confirmed the significance of the observed mineralisation:

SHSD_185: 9.55m @ 5.10% PbEq (2.59% Pb & 2.26% Zn) from 242.55m

Including 3.12m @ 13.43% PbEq (6.37%) Pb & 6.36% Zn) and 26.5 g/t Ag from 245.36m

The Company is of the view that the initial analytical and geological results at the Keep Seismic Target are a major exploration success proving up concept and importantly the potential of several kilometres of thick sedimentary rocks of the Burt Range Basin to be the source of significantly more base metal mineralisation. Further drilling will be undertaken during the upcoming field season.

Norton North Exploration Drilling

Further exploration success was encountered on the northern periphery of the Norton deposit with drilling of holes SHSD_164 and SHS_183 (Figure 4).  The drill holes intersected mineralisation at the target depth of approximately 100m down hole and add to the confidence of continuity of mineralisation in this area and further confirm the high-grade silver component of the deposits.  The mineralisation remains open to the north.

Norton Metallurgical Drilling

The metallurgical portion of the program was underpinned by the prospect of the spatially restricting or revising upwards recovery factors of ore from Norton and to provide additional core upon which further test work can be undertaken.

The intervals encountered testify to the robustness of the Norton mineralisation with its clean low-iron and high silver values within the mineralisation envelope:

SHSD_171: 11.05m @ 17.63% PbEq (10.98% Pb & 189 g/t Ag) from 81.95m and

SHSD_174: 11.60m @ 20.23% PbEq (8.78% Pb & 325 g/t Ag) from 74.40m

Beta Exploration Drilling

SHSD_184 was drilled at the western periphery of the Beta Deposit to test the continuity of mineralisation.  The hole intersected a noteworthy interval of mineralisation at around 129m below surface:

SHSD_184: 2.80m @ 3.84% PbEq (3.17% Pb & 19 g/t Ag) from 129.0m

Boab Metals | ASX BML | Silver & Base Metal Mine Australia
  • Significants Intercepts at Sorby Hills – November 2023 
    Boab Metals reports assay results from the Phase VII drilling program at the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project, including a material intercept from the 1st drill hole at the Keep Seismic Target. Read the full announcement here
  • Completion of Front End Engineering & Design (FEED) –  August 2023 Completion of Front-End Engineering and Design (“FEED”) resulted in a more detailed process plant design and optimised plant layout. GR Engineering (GRES) provided updated tendered pricing for the process plant based on the FEED outcomes and current raw material and labour costs. The refreshed pricing delivered a result that is consistent with the DFS pricing.
  • Heads of Agreement for New Shire Accommodation Facility in Kununurra – July 2023
    Boab Metals announced the execution of a Heads of Agreement with the Shire of Wyndham and East Kimberley (“SWEK”) for the construction and long-term lease of a new accommodation facility within Kununurra, 50km from its 75% owned Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project.  See the full details of the agreement here
  • Engineering & Design Commences for Sorby Hills Project – March 2023
    Boab Metals announces GR Engineering (GRES) has commenced Front End Engineering (FEED) for the process plant and associated infrastructure at the Company’s flagship Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project. To find out more read here
  • Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) – January 2023
    Boab Metals reached a major milestone and delivered the Sorby Hills Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) with encouraging results.   The DFS demonstrated strong pre-tax economics including the A$705M net cash flow, NPV of A$370M, IRR of 35% and an average annualised EBITDA of A$119M. The open pit production target is estimated to be 18.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 3.4% lead and 39g/t silver.  Read the full DFS announcement here.
  • EPA Approval Received for Site Establishment and Early Works at Sorby Hills – July 2022
    Boab receives approval from the Western Australian Environment Protectional Agency (EPA) to commence site establishment and Early Works at the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver Project.  Read the full details of the announcement here
  • Heads of Agreement Executed with Horizon Power – April 2022
    A Heads of Agreement with Horizon Power in respect to a future Power Purchase Agreement was executed in April 2022.  The agreement will allow for cleaner and cheaper energy to be delivered to the Sorby Hills Project.  The Ord River hydroelectric plant will provide the majority of the energy demand with an on-site diesel plant to provide 100% back-up power.  To find out more read here
  • Port Access Agreement Executed –  March 2022
    An agreement for Access and Stevedoring Services was executed with Cambridge Gulf with respect to the Wyndham Port.  The term extends to 2034 with an automatic rollover on a 12 month basis thereafter.  The agreement is a critical element of the path to market for the concentrates that will be produced at Sorby Hills and shipped to customers. To find out more read here
  • Expanded Resource to Underpin Sorby Hills DFS – December 2021
    Boab Metals announces a Mineral Resource update that incorporates the results of the Phase IV and Phase V drilling programs.  The updated Mineral Resource Estimate represents a significant milestone in the development of the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver Project. Read the full Mineral Resource Update here.
  • DFS Metallurgical Testwork Results – November 2021
    Boab Metals presents the comprehensive results of the DFS Metallurgical Testwork Program undertaken on the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project. The recovery uplift resulting from separated ore versus blended ore processing is encouraging and will have a positive impact on the Project economics. Read the full DFS Metallurgical Testwork Results here.
  • Strategic Acquisition of Zinc-Silver-Lead Project – July 2021
    Boab Metals announced the acquisition of the strategically located Manbarrum-Zinc-Lead-Silver Project located in the Northern Territory, located 25km east of the Company’s flagship Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project. Mineral Resources are declared at two prospects within the Manbarrum Project Area. Read the full Manbarrum acquisition announcement here.
  • Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) – August 2020
    Boab Metals (formerly Pacifico Minerals Limited ASX:PMY) presented the results of the Sorby Hills Pre-Feasibility Study and Ore Reserve Statement.  The outstanding economic outcomes delivered strong pre-tax economics with a pre-tax NPVZ8 of A$303M generating an IRR of 46% with a payback period of approximately 1.6 years and a Pre-tax Life of Mine Net Operating Cash Flow of A$747M or approximately A$75M per annum.  The PFS base case (“Whole Ore”) Production Target mines 14.7Mt (circa 92% Measured and Indicated, 8% Inferred) at an average grade of 3.6% Pb and 39 g/t Ag.   Read the full PFS announcement here
  • Mineral Resource Update at the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project – June 2020
    Boab Metals announces a Mineral Resource update at the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project following the Phase III drilling program.  The updated resource allows for the conversion of a significant portion of the M&I Resources to Probable and proven reserves. Read the full Mineral Resource Update here.
  • Ministerial Confirmation Received for Five Year Extension for Sorby Start-Up – May 2019
    Boab Metals (formerly Pacifico Minerals Limited ASX:PMY) received ministerial confirmation from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to allow for the timeframe for the substantial commencement of the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver Project to be extended for a further 5 years to 2 April, 2024.  Read the full announcement here
  • EPA Recommends Five Year Extension for Sorby Start-Up – April 2019
    Boab Metals (formerly Pacifico Minerals Limited ASX:PMY) received Report 1632 form the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regarding a recommendation to allow for the extension for the timeframe for substantial commencement at the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver-Zinc Project.  Read the full details of the announcement here

SORBY HILLS MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE

The Mineral Resource Estimate underpinning the DFS was undertaken by CSA Global Pty Ltd in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and announced to the ASX on 17 December, 2021.

The Mineral Resource Estimate comprises 47.3Mt at 3.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn and 35g/t Ag using a cut-off of 1% Pb. A comprehensive breakdown of the Mineral Resource by Resource classification and deposit is shown in Table 1 below.  The updated estimate represents an increase in Measured and Indicated Tonnes of 2.8Mt (14%), 65kt contained Lead (9%) and 3.0Moz contained Silver (11%) versus the Mineral Resource Estimate that underpinned the Sorby Hill Pre-Feasibility Study and represents an increase of 5% Total Resources on the same basis.

Table 1: Sorby Hills Mineral Resource Estimate – Pb Domains only

Resource Classification by Deposit Tonnes

(Mt)

Grade Contained Metal
Pb Zn Ag Pb Zn Ag
% % g/t kt kt koz
A
Inferred 0.6 5.3% 1.0% 23 31 6 427
Sub Total 0.6 5.3% 0.1% 23 31 6 427
B
Measured 1.4 3.8% 0.3% 19 52 4 859
Indicated 1.3 3.4% 0.3% 21 44 4 862
Sub Total 2.7 3.6% 0.3% 20 97 8 1,720
Omega
Measured 8.5 3.3% 0.4% 37 279 32 9,995
Indicated 5.8 3.5% 0.4% 34 205 25 6,331
Inferred 2.9 2.7% 0.4% 26 76 13 2,414
Sub Total 17.2 3.3% 0.4% 34 566 71 18,948
Norton
Measured 2.8 4.1% 0.3% 75 112 9 6,668
Indicated 2.1 3.2% 0.5% 38 68 11 2,617
Inferred 16.2 2.5% 0.5% 27 402 75 14,039
Sub Total 21.1 2.8% 0.4% 34 590 96 24,090
Alpha
Indicated 0.7 2.6% 0.5% 41 18 4 923
Inferred 0.8 3.6% 1.2% 86 27 9 2,052
Sub Total 1.5 3.1% 0.9% 64 45 13 2,975
Beta
Indicated 1.0 4.1% 0.2% 42 42 2 1,382
Inferred 3.2 3.4% 0.4% 43 109 14 4,474
Sub Total 4.2 3.6% 0.4% 43 151 17 5,856
Total Resource
Measured 12.6 3.5% 0.4% 43 444 45 17,521
Indicated 11.0 3.4% 0.4% 34 377 46 12,114
Inferred 23.6 2.7% 0.5% 31 645 117 23,406
Total 47.3 3.1% 0.4% 35 1,465 207 53,042

Note: Tonnes and Grade are rounded. Reported at a 1.0% Pb Cut-Off. Discrepancies in calculated Contained Metal is due to rounding.

The Mineral Resource estimate is supported by RC and DD drilling samples, with holes drilled over a time span between the 1970s and 2021. At the time of the December 2021 estimate, a total of 676 drill holes had intersected the mineralisation domains, with 212 holes drilled by Boab since 2018. A total of 244 holes are historical (pre-dating 2007) but were retained based upon acceptable quality control results. Since the release of the December 2021 estimate, a further 43 RC drill holes have been completed across the Project. High-grade results from Beta (see below) and encouraging mineralisation continuity observed at Norton represent significant opportunities to further enhance the Sorby Hills Mineral Resource and Mining Production Target in the near term.

  • SHRC_157 (Beta): 7m @ 16.23% Pb & 82g/t Ag from 72m
  • SHRC_136 (Beta): 20m @ 5.58% Pb & 52g/t Ag from 65m; and
  • SHRC_143 (Norton N): 13m @ 2.82% Pb & 35g/t Ag from 95m

The location of drilling relative to the Mineral Resources is shown in the figure below.

Sorby Hills Resources

Location of drill holes underpinning the DFS Mineral Resource Estimate together with more recently drilled holes to be incorporated into a future Resource update

Drillholes were sampled at 1m intervals and the drill samples were accordingly composited to 1m lengths for most deposits, with the exception of the A and Beta deposits, where samples were composited to 2m lengths. Composited sample data were statistically reviewed to determine appropriate top-cuts, with top-cuts applied for Pb, Zn and Ag where appropriate. Sample populations for Pb, Zn and Ag were split by mineralisation domains as supported by statistical analysis of assay data. The top cut and composited drill samples were used for variogram modelling. Moderate relative nugget effects were modelled for these in the primary zone.

A block model with block sizes of 10m (X) x 10m (Y) x 5m (Z) was constructed. The block sizes are approximately half the most dense drill spacing, which generally supports a Measured or Indicated classification. Blocks and drill sample data were flagged according to the geological and mineralisation envelopes. Major variogram directions were modelled in the plane of the vein towards the north-east. Grades for Pb, Zn, Ag, S and Fe were interpolated for all the grade variables by ordinary kriging. Blocks were estimated using a search ellipse of variable dimensions, ranging from 100m (major) x 30m (semi-major) x 5m (minor) dimensions for Beta, to 60m (major) x 30m (semi-major) x 5m (minor) for Omega North, with a minimum of 8 and maximum of 24 samples from a minimum of four drillholes. Search radii were increased, and the minimum number of samples reduced in subsequent sample searches if cells were not interpolated in the first two passes. Cell discretization of 5 x 5 x 1 (X, Y, Z) was employed.

Density testwork was carried out on mineralised and un-mineralised DD core samples obtained between 2018 and 2021. Core segments were measured using either the water immersion (Archimedes) technique for both wax coated and non-coated material and using the calliper method. There was a very strong correlation between the two methods. A total of 978 measurements were taken using the water immersion technique and these results were used to derive a base density value, and applied to an algorithm based upon interpolated Pb, Zn and Fe grades.

The following formula was derived and used to calculate the bulk density for each block in the block model, where Pb, Zn and Fe are the estimated block grades, and BD is the base density value assigned to a combination of each of the lithostratigraphic and weathering domains.

Density = 100/((100-Pb%-Zn%-Fe%)/ BD) + Pb/11.35 + Zn/7.14 + Fe/7.87)

The host rock sequences exhibit a natural porosity related to mineralisation, which is not uniform in its distribution and sometimes not always recognisable during visual inspection of the DD core. The spatial distribution of the density data throughout the deposit do not fully capture the distribution of the porosity and therefore a cautionary tonnage adjustment factor was applied during the final grade-tonnage reporting stage. The final tonnage estimates were reduced by 1% globally to account for the visually estimated porosity levels.

The Mineral Resource was classified based upon drillhole spacing, quality of sampling and sample analyses, quantity of density measurements, the relative confidence in the geological interpretation, and the ‘slope of regression’ (SOR) outputs from the kriging grade interpolation. A drill spacing equal to or less than 25m (north) by 25m (east) was used to initially define the Measured volumes and a drill spacing equal to or less than 50m (north) by 50m (east) was used to initially define the Indicated volumes. The block model was viewed in plan section, with blocks coloured by SOR (typically > 0.7) to assist this process. Inferred volumes are based upon a drill spacing of 50 to 100m (northing) by 50 to 100m (easting).

UPDATED ORE RESERVE STATEMENT

Boab announced an updated Ore Reserve for the Sorby Hills Project, as shown in  the table below.  The Ore Reserve was prepared by independent mining consultants Entech Pty Ltd in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. The 15.2Mt Ore Reserve is a subset of the 18.3Mt DFS Mining Inventory and represents a 12% increase over the previous 13.6Mt Ore Reserve estimate for the Project.  For futher information (see ASX announcement Sorby Hills Definitive Feasibilty Study, dated 19 January 2023).

Updated Ore Reserve Estimate

Ore Reserve Category Ore

(Mt)

Grade Contained Metal
Pb (%) Ag (g/t) Pb (kt) Ag (Moz)
B Pit 1.32 3.4% 18 45 0.7
Norton 1.87 4.0% 80 74 4.8
Omega Main 4.98 3.6% 42 179 6.7
Omega South 2.18 2.8% 27 61 1.9
Beta
B Pit 0.94 3.0% 17 28 0.5
Norton 0.04 4.0% 40 2 0.1
Omega Main 2.30 3.8% 34 86 2.5
Omega South 0.62 3.2% 37 19 0.7
Beta 0.99 3.7% 38 37 1.2
Probable 4.90 3.5% 32 172 5.0
Total Ore Reserve 15.20 3.5% 39 531 19.1

Note: Tonnes and Grade are rounded. Reported at a 1.0% Pb cut-off. The above data has been rounded to the nearest 10,000 tonnes ore, 0.1% lead grade and 1,000 lead tonnes, 1g/t silver grade and 100,000 silver ounces. Discrepancies in calculated Contained Metal is due to rounding. Ore Reserves have been calculated using metal prices of A$3,313.91/t Pb and A$37.89/oz Ag and royalties of 4.3% of gross revenue including allowable deductions.

location of sorby hills project

Figure 1: Location of the Sorby Hills Project

In January, 2023 Boab Metals released the results of the Sorby Hills Definitive Feasibilty Study (“DFS”).

Highlights of the DFS included:

  • A$705M net cash flow, NPV8 of A$370M, IRR of 35% and an average annualised EBITDA of A$119M.
  • Pre-production Capital Cost of A$245M.
  • C1 cash cost of US$0.39/lb payable Pb (including a net Silver credit of US$0.38/lb payable Pb) delivering an average operating margin of 41%.
  • High-confidence study with up-to-date tendered pricing for 75% of Capital Costs.
  • An updated Mineral Resource Estimate by CSA Global achieving a 78% increase in Measured Resources.
  • Production Target underpinned 83% by Ore Reserves, including a 12% increase in overall Reserves and a 53% increase in Proved Ore Reserves.
  • Significant pre-production upside potential.

The Sorby Hills DFS was completed against a dynamic economic backdrop and achieved a result that largely withstood the impact of global inflationary pressure.  Approximately 75% of the pre-production capital expenditure and direct mining costs were underpinned by current tendered pricing, thus minimising the risk of substantial cost increases as has been evident in other mining projects.

Over the initial 8.5-year processing period contemplated by the DFS, 18.3Mt of ore will be mined and processed through a simple crush-mill-flotation circuit at an initial rate of 1.5Mtpa expanding to 2.25Mtpa after 1 year of production. Concentrate will be produced at an average 103ktpa, containing 64ktpa of payable Lead and 2Moz p.a. of payable Silver, and transported ~150km by road in sealed half-height containers to Wyndham Port from where it will be shipped to market (Figure 1).

The Project generates A$705M of pre-tax free cash flow over the Life of Mine and an average annualised EBITDA of A$119M per annum during operations (Table 1). Pre-production capital expenditure is estimated at A$245M and net C1 Cash Costs have been calculated to be US$0.39/lb payable Lead (Table 2). The Project generates a pre-tax NPV8 of A$370M and an IRR of 35% (from the start of construction) and a payback period of 2.5 years (from start of production).

Boab is of the view that the DFS represents just the starting point for the future of its Lead-Silver operations in the East Kimberley region. The Company has a number of opportunities to increase mine life through a combination of exploration and Resource extension drilling programs which are either already in progress or planned for when mine development occurs across the Project.

Key opportunities include:

  • Sorby Hills Mineral Resource and Production Target Development – Potential to improve Mineral Resource Estimate and production target as a result of the final Phase V drilling results and the Phase VI drilling that have not yet been incorporated into the Resource model.
  • Norton Deposit Metallurgy – Potential to improve metal recoveries at Norton with additional testwork across the deposit.
  • Backup Power Review – Potential to reduce the size of the backup diesel power station to further reduce the cost of power supply. Discussions have commenced with Horizon Power.
  • Improved Mining Costs – Investigate opportunities that have come to light late in the process of the DFS to improve the mining costs by adopting a bespoke pricing methodology.
  • Further Review of Tendered Pricing – Contracts formally tendered during the DFS were done so at a time considered to be at the height of the inflation curve in the West Australian mining and construction industry. The Company considers there to be a lot of upsides to be gained on the prices already received through workshops and strategy sessions with key proponents.
  • Road Haulage – The base case for haulage of concentrate in the DFS is non-concessional loading. Investigations are underway to determine if approval for concessional loading can be obtained, meaning an increased payload in each container.

Table 1: Sorby Hills DFS – Life of Mine Metrics

Item Unit Value
Physicals
Life of Mine Years 8.5
ROM Mined ‘000 t 18,263
Strip Ratio Waste:Ore (t:t) 7.5
Processed Tonnes ‘000 t 18,263
Lead Grade % 3.4
Silver Grade g/t 39
Lead Recovery % 91%
Silver Recovery % 82%
Concentrate Produced ‘000 dmt 872
Avg Lead Grade % 65.5
Avg. Silver Grade g/t 665
Payable Lead ‘000 t 543
Payable Sliver ‘000 oz 17,232
Cash Flow
Lead Revenue A$M 1,790
Silver Revenue A$M 692
Gross Revenue A$M 2,481
Lead Treatment Charge A$M (159)
Silver Refining Charge A$M (32)
Royalties A$M (94)
Net Revenue A$M 2,196
Logistics A$M (121)
Mining A$M (591)
Processing A$M (391)
G & A A$M (88)
Net Operating Cash Flow A$M 1,005
Pre-Production Capital A$M (245)
Sustaining Capital & Closure A$M (55)
Net Project Cash Flow A$M 705
Value Metrics
Pre-Tax NPV8 A$M 370
Pre-Tax IRR % 35%
Average Annual EBITDA A$M 119

Macroeconomic assumptions for Lead, Silver and FX were based on the forward curves extracted from Bloomberg on 16 January 2023.

Table 2: Operating Cost Summary

Item Total (A$M) A$/t ore US$/lb payable Lead
Mining 591 32.4 0.34
Processing 391 21.4 0.22
G&A 88 4.8 0.05
Logistics 121 6.6 0.07
Lead Treatment 159 8.7 0.09
C1 Costs (ex Credits) 1,351 73.9 0.77
Net Silver Credits (660) (36.1) (0.38)
C1 Costs 690 37.8 0.39
Royalties 94 5.2 0.05
Sustaining Capital 55 3.0 0.03
AISC 840 46.0 0.48

The primary objective of the DFS Metallurgical Testwork Program was to deliver robust results to underpin the Sorby Hills DFS Process Plant design criteria.

The program comprised a total of 35 HQ diamond drill holes included in the Phase IV and V drilling. From these holes, approximately 1,420kg from 399m of half core was collected, combined and composited into Variability Samples, Schedule Composites and Master Composites. Samples and Composites were utilised for a range of testwork including Flotation, Comminution, Mineralogy, Heavy Liquid Separation, Tailings Thickening, Concentrate Filtration and Concentrate Analysis.

The DFS Metallurgical Testwork Program builds upon a significant body of previous metallurgical testwork undertaken by SMPL since acquiring Sorby Hills in 2018 and others dating back to 1979.

Master Oxide, Fresh and Blended composites were produced for initial flotation optimisation. A total of 34 samples exhibiting a range of head grades, mineralogical compositions and source locations were prepared as Variability Samples. Scheduled-based composites were made to represent the PFS mine schedule for years 1-2, 3-4 and 5+, for each of the Oxidised, Fresh and Fresh-Oxidised Blend ore types. Lower-grade sample material was selected for HLS testing (See Table 1 below).

Table 1: DFS Metallurgical Testwork Program – Sample Summary

Test Type Variability Tests Composites Tests
Flotation 34 3 x Schedule and 3 Master

for each of Fresh, Oxidised and Blend

Comminution 18 3 x Schedule
HLS 13 2

Metal recoveries adopted for economic modelling for the Sorby Hills Pre-Feasibility Study were Lead: 94.9% (Fresh Ore) and 84% (Oxidised Ore) and Silver: 78.2% (Fresh Ore) and 94.4% (Oxidised Ore).

Table 2 below presents a summary of the final Sorby Hill DFS Flotation performance estimates. Recovery estimates are based on the Schedule Composite test results, and for the specific deposit estimates, the average Variability Sample test performance for that deposit. These results incorporate modifications based on Locked-Cycle testwork to account for closed circuit performance estimation and, in the case of separate Oxidised and Fresh Ore-only recoveries, adjustments to account for operational inefficiencies associated with campaign-style processing.

Whilst the extensive variability testwork has identified the recovery achieved at Norton was less than that at other deposits, superior results in selected Norton Variability Samples suggests the poorer results are spatially constrained and that the higher performing ore within Norton can be prioritised.

A comprehensive assay was undertaken on Lead-Silver Concentrate produced from each locked cycle test. The results of these assays have been provided to potential offtakers.

Table 2: Sorby Hills DFS Final Flotation Performance Estimates

  Ore Type Feed

% Pb

Feed

g/t Ag

Conc Grade Conc Recovery
%Pb g/t Ag %Pb % Ag
  Oxide Batch Treatment
  Schedule Y1-2 5.14 42 62.3 520 89.9 92.4
  Schedule Y3-4 4.03 44 60.3 686 85.5 88.3
  Schedule Y5+ 5.15 86 67.3 1262 79.9 89.3
  Norton 8.93 168 66.0 1305 85.6 89.9
  Beta 3.20 35 50.0 509 60.1 56.5
  Fresh Batch Treatment
  Schedule Y1-2 4.53 61 66.9 816 95.1 86.3
  Schedule Y3-4 Ex Norton 3.27 19 64.3 330 95.1 84.8
  Schedule Y5+ 4.04 32 68.5 479 95.1 83.9
  B Pit 2.89 16 65.7 326 95.1 83.9
  Omega, Omega South 4.31 43 66.2 599 95.2 87.0
  Norton 4.24 72 56.9 966 78.1 77.9
  Beta 2.10 22 72.3 577 90.3 70.3

 

The DFS Metallurgical Testwork Program further explored Dense Media Separation (DMS). The DFS results for the DMS demonstrated a reduced recovery and highlighted additional process design and operation risk. Therefore, the DMS option is not recommended and was not considered further for DFS.

Flowsheet and Plant Design

Process Flow Diagram[/caption]The Sorby Hills process plant is designed to treat 2.25Mtpa of ore. In the initial year of operation while head grade is at its highest the process plant throughput rate is at a nominal 1.5Mtpa. This processing rate profile maintains concentrate production as the grade reduces after the first year. Comminution and flotation circuit equipment sizing has been based on providing the required “turn-down” ability to operate at the lower initial throughput capacity. A high-level process diagram is presented below. The design of the processing facilities has been undertaken in accordance with the following philosophy:

 

  • A simple and robust flowsheet using well established methods;
  • Well proven equipment;
  • Ease of maintainability;
  • Best practice OHS&E protection;
  • Ten-year life operating continuously 24 hours per day, 365 days per year; and
  • An overall plant availability of 91.3% or 8000h/yr.

The crushing plant consists of a single stage jaw crusher with a fully enclosed crushed ore surge bin ahead of the grinding circuit. The grinding circuit consists of a SAG-ball circuit operating in closed circuit with hydrocyclone classification. SAG mill discharge trommel oversize is recirculated to the SAG mill feed via conveyor without pebble crushing. Cyclone overflow passes through a trash screen before entering the flotation circuit.

The flotation circuit consists of two stages of roughing, 1st cleaner, cleaner-scavenger and recleaner banks. Fast floating material from rougher 1 is directed to the recleaner feed. Rougher 2 concentrate feeds cleaner 1, while cleaner 1 concentrate also feeds the recleaner. Cleaner scavenger concentrate recycles to rougher 2 feed, while the cleaner scavenger tailings report to final tailings. Recleaner tails returns to 1st cleaner feed. Two conditioning tanks are provided for initial rougher reagent addition. An additional conditioner is provided for rougher 2 for additional sulphurdisation. A 1st cleaner conditioning tank is also provided. The first rougher conditioning tank also has flow rate stabilisation functionality.

Concentrate is thickened and stored in a filter feed tank before being dewatered in a vertical plate and frame filter press with direct transfer of concentrate into half height shipping containers for transport. Tailings are thickened and sent to the TSF initially and in pit disposal in later years.

Plant services include reagents, water, air, office, workshop, stores and laboratory facilities. The plant is automated with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) / Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) type configuration. An on-stream-analysis system is provided for major metals (Pb, Ag, Fe, Zn) in six flotation streams and feed galena / cerussite mineralogy on the feed stream.