Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

    Geomechanics.io

    Geomechanics, Streamlined.

    © 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

    Geomechanics.io

    CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

    Industries

    MiningConstructionTunnelling

    Company

    Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Contract Award

    Los Azules copper project nears FID: production, cost and design notes for engineers

    August 11, 2026|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    Los Azules copper project nears FID: production, cost and design notes for engineers

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    Argentina’s Los Azules copper project in San Juan province is moving towards a final investment decision as McEwen Copper completes 27% of its FID work programme and targets construction from early 2027 and first cathode production in 2030. A 2025 feasibility study outlines average output of 205,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year for the first five years at cash costs of US$1.71/lb over an initial 22-year life, placing the project in the second-lowest global cost quartile. Current work covers processing plant engineering, mining fleet selection, power supply, access road and camp construction, with Société Générale advising on debt and an IPO under consideration.

    Technical Brief

    • Current scope includes detailed engineering for processing facilities, mining fleet evaluation and power supply options.
    • Site development works already underway comprise access road construction and establishment of a permanent camp.
    • Los Azules is configured to produce copper cathode on site, bypassing third-party smelters and concentrate logistics.

    Our Take

    The 22-year initial mine life, with potential extension to 33 years, aligns Los Azules with the handful of large-scale copper projects in our coverage that are being framed as multi-decade district plays rather than standalone mines, which can support more aggressive infrastructure and financing structures.

    Eric Sprott’s separate investments in MAX Power Mining and American Eagle Gold, both copper–gold plays in the TSXV space, suggest that the royalty exposure to Los Azules via TNR Gold fits into a broader strategy of leveraged positions on long-life copper assets rather than direct operatorship.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Sunrise Energy Metals US redomicile: scandium project and capex lens for miners
    Mining
    about 3 hours ago

    Sunrise Energy Metals US redomicile: scandium project and capex lens for miners

    Sunrise Energy Metals plans to redomicile and list on a US securities exchange after the US Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital issued a conditional commitment of up to $400 million to develop its 100%-owned Syerston scandium project in New South Wales. The project is designed for 60 tonnes per year of scandium production against an estimated 2025 global output of about 80 tonnes, positioning it as a major non-Chinese source within a Five Eyes jurisdiction. Chairman Robert Friedland said US authorities prefer critical mineral suppliers to be US‑domiciled.

    Volta gallium 210m below Springer pit: resource and processing notes for engineers
    Mining
    about 3 hours ago

    Volta gallium 210m below Springer pit: resource and processing notes for engineers

    Volta Metals has intersected broad gallium mineralisation up to 210 m beneath the current Springer open-pit shell in Ontario, with hole SL26-31 returning 399 m from 3 m downhole grading 51.8 g/t gallium oxide and SL26-33 cutting 399 m at 39.1 g/t gallium oxide and 0.248% TREO. A third hole, SL26-32, delivered 53.9 m from 372.1 m to 426 m at 1.22% TREO and 47 g/t gallium oxide, and 90% of 863 samples exceeded 30 g/t gallium oxide. Metallurgical work now focuses on gallium recovery, including bioleaching trials at Laurentian University and processing studies with Idaho National Laboratory, to justify adding gallium to Springer’s 56.6 Mt indicated and 119.5 Mt inferred rare earth resource in a planned update later this year.

    Sprott’s C$10M MAX Power Mining stake: project and drilling lens for engineers
    Mining
    about 3 hours ago

    Sprott’s C$10M MAX Power Mining stake: project and drilling lens for engineers

    Canadian billionaire Eric Sprott is investing C$10 million in MAX Power Mining via a private placement of 4 million units at C$2.50, lifting his stake from 17.6% to 19.5% and positioning him to become a control person subject to shareholder approval on 20 August 2026. Each unit carries a common share plus a 24‑month warrant exercisable at C$3.25, with closing targeted around 17 August. MAX plans to use the funds to advance its multi‑well commercial validation drilling for natural hydrogen at the Lawson project, 80 km north of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    Construction

    Quality control software for construction companies with material testing, batch tracking, and compliance management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental