By MineForce LLC · Published October 21, 2026 · About the principal
Mine feasibility depends on a consistent set of technical, operating and commercial assumptions. A positive spreadsheet result is useful only to the extent that the mine, processing system and development plan can deliver the inputs used. An assessment should show the evidence behind the model and the uncertainty around it.
Make the production scenario physically consistent
Distinguish mined material, plant feed and saleable output. Account for development work, material handling, equipment availability and processing downtime. A nominal hourly plant rating multiplied by every hour of the year rarely describes an achievable schedule. Identify where feed characteristics, maintenance or utility limitations may change throughput.
Connect recoveries and revenues to evidence
Processing recovery and product quality should reflect appropriate testwork and relevant operating evidence. An assay establishes a characteristic of a sample, not the commercial recovery of the entire deposit. Realized revenue may also depend on payability, treatment or refining charges, transport, product specifications and contract terms. Record which assumptions are supported and which still need specialist work.
Use a complete cost and timing basis
- Separate initial capital, sustaining capital and closure-related allowances.
- Identify development, rehabilitation, commissioning and startup costs.
- Document operating cost units and distinguish costs per tonne mined from costs per tonne processed.
- Include working capital, consumables, contractor costs and maintenance.
- Show when spending occurs and how long ramp-up delays revenue.
Cost estimates should carry a basis date, scope and stated exclusions. A low-cost scenario that omits required infrastructure is a different project, not a more efficient version of the same one.
Test the decision, not just the base case
Examine plausible changes in throughput, recovery, operating costs, capital and schedule. Look for combinations that remove the margin or require more funding. Sensitivity analysis identifies exposure; it does not assign a probability without a defensible basis. Use the result to prioritize investigation before the next commitment.
Consultant-level assessment can clarify these questions early. Formal feasibility studies and public disclosure reports have separate scope, qualification and reporting requirements. Establish the intended use before commissioning a study, particularly if a lender or reporting framework must rely on it.
General technical information, not a site-specific compliance determination. Review scope, mine conditions and applicable requirements must be established for each engagement.