Champion Iron Announces Completion of Bloom Lake Mine Feasibility Study
February 16, 2017
Champion Iron Announces Completion of Bloom Lake Mine
Feasibility Study
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE
UNITED STATES
Montréal, Québec, Canada: Champion Iron Limited (ASX: CIA, TSX: CIA) (“Champion” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce the results of the Feasibility Study for the Bloom Lake Iron Ore
Mine (“Bloom Lake”), located near the town of Fermont, in north-eastern Quebec.
The Feasibility Study demonstrates that recommencing iron ore mining operations at Bloom Lake is
financially viable and would be competitive in global iron ore markets with the potential to be one of
the region’s leading long -life iron ore mines . A production restart at Bloom Lake would be a major
contributor to the provincial and national economy.
Champion Iron Chairman and CEO Mr Michael O’Keeffe said, “This is a major result for the Company.
Based on conservative assumptions, the Feasibility Study demonstrates that the Bloom Lake Iron Ore
Mine is clearly viable. In fact, very few iron ore projects offer the potential of 20+ years of
production at industry-low operating costs, whilst being strategically located in close proximity to all
necessary infrastructure and situated in what we consider to be a superior mining jurisdiction. I am
confident that the Feasibility Study, and these attributes, will allow Champion Iron to secure investor
support and funding as we bring the Bloom Lake mine back into full-scale production.”
Highlights
(All quoted figures in CA$ unless stated otherwise)
• Net after-tax cash flow of $2.3 billion (including all forecasted CAPEX);
• After-tax net present value at 8% discount rate of $984 million and an internal rate of return
of 33.3% after tax;
• Total revenue over life-of-mine of $15.1 billion;
• Total capital costs of $326.8 million including mine upgrade capital cost of $157.2 million;
• Mineral Reserve s for the Bloom Lake Project are estimated at 411.7 million tonnes at an
average grade of 30.0% Fe;
• Concentrate production averages 7.4 million tonnes per annum at an assumed steady state
over the 21-year life -of-mine. The concentrate, at 66.2% Fe is obtained with a n expected
metallurgical recovery that averages 83.3% Fe relative to plant feed at the 30% Fe average
feed grade;
• Plant and processing upgrades are expected to deliver improvements in Fe recovery. T he
upgraded recovery circuit f lowsheet replaces the existing 3-stage spiral c ircuit with a new
gravity circuit that limits the recirculating process streams and reduc es the chance of losses
of iron to the rougher stage tailings. The recovery of additional iron minerals will also be
achieved by a magnetic scavenging circuit;
• Life-of-mine average operating cost of production of $44.62 per dry metric tonne, FOB Sept-
Iles;
Life-of-mine average iron ore price at 66.2% Fe CFR China (62% Fe index plus premium for
extra Fe content) of US$78.40 provided by a market study by Metalytics, a specialist
economics consultancy in the metals and mineral resources sector.
Summary of Economic Parameters and Feasibility Results
Mining
Parameters
Reserve (Mt) 411.7
Processed tonnage (Mtpa) 20.0
Average Fe processing recovery (%) 83.3%
Average mining dilution (%) 4.3%
Average Recovered concentrate (Mtpa) 7.4
Mine Life (years) 21 years
Cost
Parameters
Initial CAPEX including Working Capital (CA$M) 326.8
LOM CAPEX (CA$M) 329.5
LOM OPEX (CA$/t of ore) 16.85
LOM OPEX (CA$/t dry concentrate) 44.62
Revenue
Parameters
Gross Revenue (CA$M) 15,116
Shipping Costs (CA$M) 3,748
Cash Operating Margin (CA$M) 4,432
Operating Margin % 29.3%
After Tax Net Cash-Flow (CA$M) 2,335
Iron Ore Price
Parameters
LOM Av Iron Price at 66.2%Fe CFR China (US$/ton) 78.40
Inflation Nil
Average Exchange Rate 0.79 US$:1.0 CA$
Valuation Parameters NPV – 8% Pre-Tax (CA$M) 1,675
IRR (pre-tax) 43.9%
NPV – 8% After-Tax (CA$M) 984
IRR (after-tax) 33.3%
Pay-back (pre-tax) (years) 2.5
Pay-back (after-tax) (years) 3.1
Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates
The following table presents the mineral r esource for the Bloom Lake Project estimated at a cut -off
grade of 15% Fe, inside an optimized Whittle open pit shell based on a long -term iron price of
USD $60/dmt concentrate for 66% Fe content. The Measured and Indicated mineral resource for the
Bloom Lake Project is estimated at 911.6 Mt with an average grade of 29.7% Fe, and Inferred mineral
resource at 80.4 Mt with an average grade of 25.6% Fe.
Mineral Resource Estimate for the Bloom Lake Project (notes 1-9)
Classification
Tonnage
(dry) Fe CaO Sat MgO Al2O3
kt % % % % %
Measured 439,700 31.0 0.6 3.0 0.7 0.3
Indicated 471,900 28.5 2.5 6.8 2.3 0.4
Total M&I 911,600 29.7 1.6 5.0 1.5 0.4
Inferred 80,400 25.6 1.9 7.9 1.7 0.3
Notes on Mineral Resources:
1. The mineral resources were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Standards for
Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions
and adopted by CIM Council May 10th, 2014.
2. The independent and qualified person for the 2016 Bloom Lake resource estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, is Réjean Sirois, P.
Eng., from G Mining. The effective date of the estimate is November 15, 2016.
3. The mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 15% Fe.
4. The mineral resources are estimated using a long -term iron price of USD $60/dmt con centrate and an exchange rate of 1.30
CAD/USD.
5. The mineral resources are reported within an optimized Whittle open pit shell.
6. The average strip ratio is 0.97:1 (w:o).
7. “Sat” stands for Satmagan or Saturation Magnetization Analyser, an instrument which measures magnetite in mineralised
material.
8. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or
any part of the Mineral Resource will be converted into Mineral Reserves.
9. The number of metric tonnes was rounded to the nearest hundred. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects;
rounding followed the recommendations in NI 43-101.
The Proven and Probable mineral reserve is estimated at 411.7 Mt at an average grade of 30.0% Fe
based on a cut -off grade of 15% Fe. The mineral reserve was estimated using a long -term
concentrate price of US$54/ dmt for 66% Fe content and an exchange rate of 1.30 CA$/US$ . The
mineral reserve includes a 4.3% mining dilution at an average grade of 10.3% Fe. The average strip
ratio of the open pit is 0.48.
Mineral Reserve Estimate (notes 1-8)
Classification
Diluted Ore
Tonnage
(dry)
Fe CaO Sat MgO Al2O3
kt % % % % %
Proven 264,160 30.73 0.48 2.98 0.56 0.32
Probable 147,554 28.71 2.84 6.68 2.72 0.40
Total P&P 411,713 30.01 1.33 4.30 1.33 0.35
Notes on Mineral Reserves:
1. CIM definitions were followed for mineral reserves.
2. Mineral reserves based on September 28, 2016 LIDAR survey
3. Mineral reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 15% Fe.
4. Mineral reserves are estimated using a long -term iron price reference price (Platt’s 62%) of $50/dmt and an exchange rate of
1.30 CAD/USD. An Fe concentrate price adjustment of $4.00/dmt was added.
5. Bulk density of ore is variable but averages 3.63 t/m3.
6. The average strip ratio is 0.48:1.
7. The mining dilution factor is 4.3%.
8. Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Updated Mine Plan
The restart of operation s at Bloom Lake is based on different operating assumptions which include
an upgrade to the concentrator plant and a mineral reserve and mining scenario updated for the
current iron ore market.
The operation consists of a conventional surface mining method using an owner mining approach
with electric hydraulic shovels and mine trucks. All major mine equipment required for the restart of
Bloom Lake is present on-site as this equipment was among the assets purchased by the Company’s
subsidiary, Quebec Iron Ore Inc.
Updated Concentrator Plant
Quebec Iron Ore Inc. intends to use Bloom Lake’s existing crushing and storage facilities, along with
the mill and the rail load -out facilities to produce 7.4 Mtpa of concentrate, with a n expected
recovery of 83.3% from the ore mined from the main pit.
The proposed concentrator plant upgrade was developed to improve the overall iron recovery
previously achieved by the existing concentrator when Bloom Lake was in production from 2010
until 2014. The specific goal was to improve the recovery of both the coarser (+425 microns) and fine
(-106 microns) iron minerals, while having no adverse effect on the recovery of other size fractions.
The concentrator upgrade development was based on p roven technology for Labrador T rough iron
ore deposits.
Logistics
The mine already has operational processing facilities and rail loop infrastructure, with access to end
markets via port and rail. The rail access consists of three separate segments. The first is the 31.9 km
rail spur on -site that is operational and connects to the Quebec North Shore & Labrador (QN S&L)
railway at the Wabush Mines facilities in Wabush, Labrador. The second segment uses the QNS&L
railway between Wabush to the Arnaud junction in Sept -Iles. The third segment is from Arnaud to
Pointe-Noire port facilities (Sept -Iles) where the concentrat e will be unloaded, stockpiled and then
loaded onto vessels for export.
Bloom Lake benefits from e xcellent access to power, water, roads, rail, ports and a highly
professional mining labour market, as well as a government that continues to be supportive of new
investment and mining.
Technical Report and Qualified Persons
A National Instrument 43 -101 Technical Report (“Report”) will be filed under the Company’s profile
on SEDAR within 45 days of the date of this news release. The Report will consist of a s ummary of
the Feasibility Study. The Feasibility Study will also contain contributions from the following
independent Qualified Persons:
• Louis-Pierre Gignac, P.Eng. – G Mining
• Rejean Sirois, P.Eng. – G Mining
• Etienne Bernier, P.Eng. – G Mining
• Stéphane Rivard, P.Eng. – Ausenco
• Robin Jones, P.Eng. – Ausenco
• Michel L. Bilodeau, P.Eng. – Ausenco
• Edward Hart, MAusIMM – Mineral Technologies
• Philippe Rio Roberge, P.Eng. – WSP Canada Inc.
Each of these Qualified Persons has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in
this news release that is relevant to their area of responsibility and verified the dat a underlying such
technical information.
About Bloom Lake
On April 11, 2016, the Company, through its subsidiary, Québec Iron Ore Inc. , acquired the Bloom
Lake assets from affiliates of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. that were subject to restructuring
proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). Québec Iron Ore Inc. is 63.2%
owned by the Company, with the remaining 36.8% e quity interest owned by Ressources Québec,
acting as a mandatory of the Government of Quebec.
The Bloom Lake property is located on the south end of the Labrador Trough, approximately 13 km
north of Fermont, Quebec, and 10 km north of the Mount -Wright iro n ore mining operation of
ArcelorMittal Mines Canada. The Bloom Lake Mine is an open pit truck and s hovel operation, with a
concentrator. From the site, iron concentrate can be transported by rail, initially on the Bloom Lake
Railway, to a ship loading port in Sept-Iles, Québec.
The Bloom Lake Mine has already been authorized for operation under the federal and provincial
environmental authorities. The project was subject to an environmental impact assessment process
under Section 31 of the Provincial Environment Quality Act, which led to the first decree issued by
the Quebec government in 2008 authorizing mining activities at the Bloom Lake site.
An updated positive Feasibility Study on Bloom Lake is being completed and will be available under
the Company’s profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) within 45 days of the date of this news release.
About Champion
Champion is an iron development and exploration company, focused on developing its significant
iron resources i n the south end of the Labrador Trough in the province of Québec. Following the
acquisition of its flagship asset, the Bloom Lake iron ore property, the Company’s main focus is to
implement upgrades to the mine and processing infrastructure it now owns whi le also advancing
projects associated with improving access to global iron markets, including rail and port
infrastructure initiatives with government and other key industry and community stakeholders.
Champion’s management team includes professionals wit h mine development and operations
expertise who also have vast experience from geotechnical work to green field development, brown
field management including logistics development and financing of all stages in the mining industry.
For further information please contact:
Michael O’Keeffe, Executive Chairman and CEO at Tel. +1 514-316-4858
David Cataford, VP Engineering at Tel. +1 514-316-4858
For additional information on Champion Iron Limited, please visit our website at
www.championiron.com.
This news re lease includes certain information that may constitute "forward -looking information" under
applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this news release that address future activities, events, developments or financial performance constitute
forward-looking information. The use of any of the words "will", "expect", “anticipate”, “intend”, "believe",
"plan", "potential", “outlook”, “forecast”, “estimate” and similar expressions are intend ed to identify forward -
looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors which may ca use the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward -looking information, including the risks identified in Champion’s annual information
forms, management’s discussion and analysis and other securit ies regulatory filings made by Champion on
SEDAR (including under the heading "Risk Factors" therein). There can be no assurance that such information
will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticip ated in
such forward -looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward -looking
information. All of Champion’s forward -looking information contained in this press release is given as of the
date hereof and is based upon th e opinions and estimates of Champion’s management and information
available to management as at the date hereof. Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any of its forward -looking information, whether as a result of new informati on, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.