The company\u2019s new Preliminary Feasibility Study incorporates the Robbins Crossover XRE machine into the mine-access design, replacing the roadheader-based development method assumed in the previous study.<\/p>\n
The TBM will excavate a single decline through variable ground conditions to reach the Santa Cruz deposit, installing a continuous steel-reinforced segmental concrete lining as it advances.<\/p>\n
An integrated conveyor system will initially remove excavated material and is subsequently intended to carry production ore from the underground mine.<\/p>\n
Ivanhoe agreed in May to acquire and refurbish the machine and associated material-handling system for approximately US$64.7M. The TBM previously worked at Anglo American\u2019s Grosvenor coal mine in Queensland, where it excavated two access declines totalling around 1.8km.<\/p>\n
Robbins will upgrade the machine with project-specific systems for the Santa Cruz ground conditions before shipment to Arizona.<\/p>\n
Site assembly is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with decline excavation targeted to start in summer 2027. Ivanhoe says the 4km drive has been designed for completion in approximately 12 months.<\/p>\n
Box-cut construction is scheduled to begin in October.<\/p>\n
The new PFS puts total initial project capital at US$1.43bn and forecasts average copper production of around 75,000t\/year during the first 15 years.<\/p>\n
First copper cathode production is targeted for 2029.<\/p>\n
Santa Cruz is located near Casa Grande on private land, with Ivanhoe saying the necessary city, county and state permits are in place to begin surface construction and TBM decline development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The company\u2019s new Preliminary Feasibility Study incorporates the Robbins Crossover XRE machine into the mine-access design, replacing the roadheader-based development method assumed in the previous study. The TBM will excavate a single decline through variable ground conditions to reach the Santa Cruz deposit, installing a continuous steel-reinforced segmental concrete lining as it advances. An integrated conveyor system will initially remove excavated material and is subsequently intended to carry production ore from the underground mine. Ivanhoe agreed in May to acquire and refurbish the machine and associated material-handling system for approximately US$64.7M. The TBM previously worked at Anglo American\u2019s Grosvenor coal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":20564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4001],"tags":[5587,94,5586],"class_list":["post-20563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contract-projects","tag-crossover-xre-machine","tag-robbins","tag-santa-cruz-pfs","post--single"],"yoast_head":"\n