Arizona Sonoran Provides 2024 Recap and 2025 Work Plan
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) has outlined its achievements for 2024 and strategic plans for 2025 at its Cactus Project. The company's 2024 PEA highlighted a 31-year open pit operation with projected average cathode production of 116,000 short tons annually over the first 20 years.
Key financial metrics from the 2024 PEA include: US$2.03 billion after-tax NPV (8%), 24% IRR, initial capex of US$668M, and US$7.3 billion in unlevered free cash flow, based on US$3.90/lb copper price. The company successfully raised C$59.2 million in financing between October 2024 and January 2025.
The project's mineral resources significantly increased to 7.3 billion pounds of copper in M&I at 0.58% grade and 3.8 billion pounds in Inferred at 0.41% grade. The company completed 174,370 ft of drilling and received strong community support with 87% approval for mine restart.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) ha delineato i suoi successi per il 2024 e i piani strategici per il 2025 nel suo Progetto Cactus. La PEA 2024 dell'azienda ha evidenziato un'operazione mineraria a cielo aperto della durata di 31 anni con una produzione media di catodi prevista di 116.000 tonnellate corte all'anno nei primi 20 anni.
I principali indicatori finanziari della PEA 2024 includono: 2,03 miliardi di dollari USA in NPV dopo le tasse (8%), 24% di IRR, capex iniziale di 668 milioni di dollari USA e 7,3 miliardi di dollari USA in flusso di cassa libero non indebitato, basato su un prezzo del rame di 3,90 dollari USA/peso. L'azienda ha raccolto con successo 59,2 milioni di dollari canadese in finanziamenti tra ottobre 2024 e gennaio 2025.
Le risorse minerarie del progetto sono aumentate significativamente a 7,3 miliardi di libbre di rame in M&I con un grado dello 0,58% e 3,8 miliardi di libbre in inferite con un grado dello 0,41%. L'azienda ha completato 174.370 piedi di perforazione e ha ricevuto un forte sostegno dalla comunità con un 87% di approvazione per la ripresa della miniera.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) ha esbozado sus logros para 2024 y sus planes estratégicos para 2025 en su Proyecto Cactus. El PEA 2024 de la compañía destacó una operación minera a cielo abierto de 31 años con una producción media proyectada de cátodos de 116,000 toneladas cortas anuales durante los primeros 20 años.
Los principales indicadores financieros del PEA 2024 incluyen: 2.03 mil millones de dólares después de impuestos en NPV (8%), 24% de IRR, capex inicial de 668 millones de dólares y 7.3 mil millones de dólares en flujo de efectivo libre no apalancado, basado en un precio del cobre de 3.90 dólares/pound. La compañía recaudó con éxito 59.2 millones de dólares canadienses en financiamiento entre octubre de 2024 y enero de 2025.
Los recursos minerales del proyecto aumentaron significativamente a 7.3 mil millones de libras de cobre en M&I con una ley de 0.58% y 3.8 mil millones de libras en inferidos con una ley de 0.41%. La empresa completó 174,370 pies de perforación y recibió un fuerte apoyo comunitario con un 87% de aprobación para reiniciar la mina.
아리조나 소노란 구리회사 (ASCUF)는 2024년 성과와 2025년 전략적 계획을 선인장 프로젝트에서 개요했습니다. 회사의 2024년 PEA는 첫 20년 동안 연평균 116,000 톤의 카두 생산이 예상되는 31년의 개방 갱도 운영을 강조했습니다.
2024년 PEA의 주요 재무 지표는 다음과 같습니다: 세후 20억 3천만 달러 NPV (8%), 24% IRR, 초기 자본 지출 6억 6800만 달러, 그리고 구리 가격으로 1파운드당 3.90달러 기준으로 73억 달러의 부채 없는 자유 현금 흐름입니다. 회사는 2024년 10월과 2025년 1월 사이에 5,920만 캐나다 달러의 자금을 성공적으로 조달했습니다.
이 프로젝트의 광물 자원은 73억 파운드의 구리(0.58% 등급)와 38억 파운드의 추정 자원(0.41% 등급)으로 상당히 증가했습니다. 회사는 174,370 피트의 굴착을 완료했으며, 광산 재개에 대해 87%의 승인을 받으면서 지역 사회로부터 강력한 지지를 받았습니다.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) a présenté ses réalisations pour 2024 et ses plans stratégiques pour 2025 dans le cadre de son projet Cactus. L'PEA de 2024 de la société a mis en avant une opération à ciel ouvert de 31 ans avec une production moyenne projetée de cathodes de 116 000 tonnes courtes par an au cours des 20 premières années.
Les principaux indicateurs financiers de l'PEA 2024 comprennent : 2,03 milliards de dollars après impôt NPV (8 %), 24 % de IRR, un capex initial de 668 millions de dollars et 7,3 milliards de dollars de flux de trésorerie libre non endetté, basé sur un prix du cuivre de 3,90 $/lb. La société a réussi à lever 59,2 millions de dollars canadiens de financement entre octobre 2024 et janvier 2025.
Les ressources minérales du projet ont considérablement augmenté à 7,3 milliards de livres de cuivre en M&I avec une teneur de 0,58 % et 3,8 milliards de livres en ressources inférées avec une teneur de 0,41 %. L'entreprise a complété 174 370 pieds de forage et a reçu un fort soutien communautaire avec 87 % d'approbation pour la reprise de la mine.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) hat seine Erfolge für 2024 und strategische Pläne für 2025 im Rahmen seines Cactus-Projekts dargelegt. Die PEA 2024 des Unternehmens hob einen 31-jährigen Tagebau hervor, mit einer prognostizierten durchschnittlichen Katodenproduktion von 116.000 Short Tonnen jährlich in den ersten 20 Jahren.
Zu den wichtigsten finanziellen Kennzahlen der PEA 2024 gehören: 2,03 Milliarden USD nach Steuern NPV (8%), 24% IRR, Anfangsinvestitionen von 668 Millionen USD und 7,3 Milliarden USD an unverschuldetem freien Cashflow, basierend auf einem Kupferpreis von 3,90 USD/Pfund. Das Unternehmen hat zwischen Oktober 2024 und Januar 2025 erfolgreich 59,2 Millionen CAD an Finanzierung gesammelt.
Die Mineralressourcen des Projekts haben sich signifikant auf 7,3 Milliarden Pfund Kupfer in M&I mit einem Gehalt von 0,58% und 3,8 Milliarden Pfund in geschätzten Ressourcen mit einem Gehalt von 0,41% erhöht. Das Unternehmen hat 174.370 Fuß Bohrungen abgeschlossen und erhielt starkes Gemeinschaftsunterstützung mit 87% Zustimmung zur Wiederaufnahme des Bergbaus.
- Strong project economics with US$2.03B after-tax NPV and 24% IRR
- Successful C$59.2M financing raised through multiple rounds
- Significant resource increase to 7.3B lbs copper in M&I category
- Low production costs with US$1.88/lb C1 cash cost
- 87% community support for project restart
- 31-year mine life with substantial annual production of 116k tons
- High initial capital requirement of US$668M
- Project still in early stages requiring multiple studies (PFS and DFS)
- Additional permit amendments required in 2H-2025
FIGURE 1: Cactus Project Mineral Resource Growth (Graphic: Business Wire)
Key 2024 and 2025 YTD Achievements
1. No lost time incidents
2. Financial strength and support by sponsors, having raised c.
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C (October) bought deal financing (see PR dated OCT 9, 2024)$34.5M -
C (November) private placement (see PR dated NOV 13, 2024)$3.1M -
C (January) private placement (see PR dated JAN 31, 2025)$21.6M
3. Successful updated Preliminary Economic Assessment at Cactus (2024 PEA), with an average cathode production of 116k short tons per annum over the first 20 years of a 31-year mine life (see PR dated AUG 7, 2024 | 2024 PEA Technical Report)
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After-tax project economics at
US /lb Copper:$3.90 -
Net Present Value (
8% ) ofUS $2.03 billion -
IRR of
24% -
Initial Capex of
US over a two-year construction period$668M -
Free Cash Flow (unlevered) of
US $7.3 billion -
US /lb C1 cash cost and$1.88 US /lb all in sustaining cost$2.00
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Net Present Value (
- As highlighted by the 2024 PEA, Cactus Project is well positioned to add value in a variety of copper price environments
Revenue, NPV and IRR Sensitivity Based on Copper Price |
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4. Exploration program excellence – Completed the Company’s largest drilling program to date, for 174,370 ft (53,148 m) of drilling. Drilling included the definition of the southern extension of the
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Significant increase in Cactus Project Mineral Resource Estimate (“2024 MRE”) (see PR dated JUL 16, 2024)*:
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Total M&I: 7.3 billion pounds at a grade of
0.58% Total Copper (633 million tons) -
Total Inf: 3.8 billion pounds of copper at a grade of
0.41% Total Copper (474 million tons)
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Total M&I: 7.3 billion pounds at a grade of
-
The contiguous MainSpring property was critical to rescoping of the
Parks /Salyer deposit to an open pit mining scenario within the 2024 PEA. Rescoping to an open pit positively affected the technical execution, costs and economics of the Cactus Project contemplate by the 2024 PEA.
*See applicable Cautionary Statements and ensuing Technical Notes at the end of this press release.
5. Leading ESG and Permitting program demonstrating community and regulatory support for restarting the Cactus Project
-
Community polling based on the 2024 PEA indicates
87% support to restart operations at the Cactus Mine, representing a4% increase in support from the 2021 polling results -
Received the Industrial Air Permit from
Pinal County , with respect to the prior pre-feasibility study completed in early 2024 (the “2024 PFS”), now superseded by the 2024 PEA -
An assessment of the 2024 PFS, presented an economic impact of
to$15 billion Casa Grande and the state ofArizona over the life of mine projected in that prior study
Fully-Funded 2025 Work Plan Highlights
1. Drilling Programs – A minimum of 130,000 ft (39,624 m) infill to indicated drilling at
2. Advancing Technical Studies:
- Continuing with technical study work initiated in 2024 that will contribute to the 2025 PFS
- Continuing with site maintenance and support of drilling activities
- Trade-off studies and metallurgical testing (see PR dated DEC 10, 2024), hydrological and geotechnical work
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Technical study timeline
- Updated MRE expected early 2H-2025
- 2025 PFS expected in 2H-2025
- Initiate the planned Definitive Feasibility Study
3. Permitting and Land – Following on from the 2025 PFS, amendments to the Aquifer Protection Permit, Industrial Air Permit and Mined Land Reclamation Permit are expected to begin in the second half of 2025
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Final payment of
US to finalize the MainSpring acquisition was made on January 31$6 million
4. Project Financing – Identify and initiate engagement with potential financial partners with respect to project financing options
5. Definitive Feasibility Study – Requirements for the DFS to advance to be identified in the 2025 PFS, including applicable drilling, geotechnical, metallurgical and engineering work.
George Ogilvie, ASCU President and CEO commented, “We promised and delivered a transformational year in 2024. Our 2024 work programs reflected tremendous growth for the Company; the biggest deliverable resulting from the MainSpring acquisition, where we acquired title, drilled it to inferred mineral resource categorization as the up-dip extension of
Socially, our community is largely supportive of our Project continuing to advance towards production with
Drilling
The exploration team’s 2025 plan is to upgrade the inferred mineral resource as defined by the 2024 PEA, to the indicated category for the standalone 2025 PFS. To do so, a total of 66 holes over ~90,000 ft (27,756 m) at the
Advancing Technical Studies
The project team will be focused on all activities related to the completion of the 2025 PFS in 2H-2025. Activities to complete include geotechnical and hydrology studies, mineral resource modeling, and mine operation optimization studies that evaluate new technology focused on lowering cost per ton mined and environmental considerations. Any additional studies required for a DFS will be informed by the 2025 PFS.
Metallurgy
Metallurgical testing programs for the 2025 PFS are underway, as per 2024 PEA recommendations. The metallurgical testing will cover material mostly from the
Permitting
All major permitting based on the Cactus 2021 PEA is complete, including the Aquifer Protection Permit, Industrial Air Permit and Mined Land Reclamation Permit. Water rights and access to water are secured and the Company reapplies annually for the SWPPP and dust permits. Based on the 2024 PFS, the Industrial Air permit was amended in Q4 2024, and the Aquifer Protection amendment is under review. In the second half of 2025, amendments to the Aquifer Protection Permit, Industrial Air Permit and Mined Land Reclamation Permit will begin based on the pending 2025 PFS. Amendments from the 2025 PFS to DFS may be required, any potential amendments will be informed by advancing through to DFS.
Links to documents referenced in this Press Release:
January 9, 2025 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-announces-c-19.9-million-strategic-private-placement-with-hudbay/
December 10, 2024 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-achieves-average-of-87-extraction-rates-of-soluble-copper-in-the-enriched-material/
November 13, 2024 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-closes-c-3.1-million-private-placement-with-nuton-llc-a-rio-tinto-venture/
October 9, 2024 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-announces-closing-of-c-34.5-million-upsized-bought-deal-offering/
August 7, 2024 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-standalone-pea-for-cactus-open-pit-project-reports-post-tax-npv8-of-us-2.03-billion-c-2.77-billion-and-irr-of/
July 16, 2025 PR: https://arizonasonoran.com/news-releases/arizona-sonoran-updates-cactus-project-mineral-resource-estimate-to-7.3-b-lbs-of-copper-in-m-i-and-3.8-b-lbs-of-copper-in/
2024 PEA Technical Report: https://arizonasonoran.com/projects/technical-reports/
Neither the TSX nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release.
About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)
ASCU is a copper exploration and development company with a
Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
Preliminary Economic Assessments
The Preliminary Economic Assessment (or PEA) referenced in this press release and summarized in the 2024 PEA Technical Report is only a conceptual study of the potential viability of the Cactus Project and the economic and technical viability of the Cactus Project has not been demonstrated. The PEA is preliminary in nature and provides only an initial, high-level review of the Cactus Project’s potential and design options; there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. For further detail on the Cactus Project and the PEA, including applicable technical notes and cautionary statements, please refer to the Company’s press release dated August 7, 2024 and the 2024 PEA Technical Report, both available on the Company’s website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Mineral Resource Estimates
Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, copper and other mineral resources must be considered as estimates only. Mineral resource estimates that are not classified as mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of mineral resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the foregoing Cautionary Statements on Forward-Looking Statements. The quantity and grade of reported “inferred” mineral resource estimates are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define “inferred” mineral resource estimates as an “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading “inferred” mineral resource estimates to an “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource category. Inferred mineral resource estimates may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for preliminary economic assessments. The accuracy of any mineral resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a “inferred”, “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource estimate will ever be upgraded to a higher category including a mineral reserve. The mineral resource estimates declared by the Company were estimated, categorized and reported using standards and definitions in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the “CIM Standards”) in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 43-101”), which governs the public disclosure of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.
The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” as disclosed by the Company are Canadian mining terms defined in the CIM Standards (collectively, the “CIM Definitions”) in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 establishes standards for all public disclosure that a Canadian issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These Canadian standards differ from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to
Technical Notes regarding Mineral Resource Estimates
1. Total soluble copper grades (Cu TSol) are reported using sequential assaying to calculate the soluble copper grade. Tons are reported as short tons.
2. Stockpile resource estimates have an effective date of 1st March, 2022, Cactus mineral resource estimates have an effective date of 29th April, 2022,
3. Technical and economic parameters defining mineral resource pit shells: mining cost
4. Technical and economic parameters defining underground mineral resource: mining cost
5. Technical and economic parameters defining processing: Oxide heap leach (“HL”) processing cost of
6. Royalties of
7. Variable cut-off grades were reported depending on material type, potential mining method, potential processing method, and applicable royalties. For ASCU properties - Oxide open pit or underground material =
8. Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant factors.
9. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there is insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource; it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured classification.
10. Totals may not add up due to rounding
For more detailed information on the Cactus Project's current mineral resource estimates, please refer to the 2024 PEA Technical Report, available on the Company’s website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204240882/en/
Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations
647-233-4348
adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com
George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director
416-723-0458
gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com
Source: Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc.
FAQ
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