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Feasibility study
From QueensMineDesignWiki

Author: John Wright

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Purpose of Study
3 Study content
4 Project team
5 Risk assessment
6 Study results
7 Comments and suggestions
8 See also

Introduction
Characteristics of the feasibility study stage include:

25% - 50% of the engineering tasks are complete

Cost estimate accuracy is in the order of ±10% to ±20%
Bottom line contingency is in the order of ±15%
Normal time required for submission of draft report is ±18 months. Report reviews and final approval –
variable, can add several months to project schedule.
Normal cost range (includes supporting studies and test work – geotechnical, mineralogical,
metallurgical, environmental, socio-economic, EIS submission, etc but not exploration geology) will be
in the order of 4.0% to 8.0% of the total project value ($8.0 - $16 million for a $200 million project)
depending on the level of detail desired.

Purpose of Study
A feasibility study refines the preferred Base Case option as presented in a successful pre-feasibility study. The study
provides the required level of detail to support a decision for the commitment of resources (funds, manpower) required to
design, construct, and operate the facility.

Study content
A feasibility study includes:

Completed and approved associated studies (geology and ore resource definition, updated orebody model,
geotechnical and hydrogeological studies, metallurgical studies and testwork, environmental impacts fully identified,
socio-economic issues fully identified, major project risks identified, permit applications submitted and the review
process underway.
Development of the Base Case option (as presented in the Pre-feasibility study) is to a much higher level of detail
(conceptual layouts finalized, with some level of detailed engineering). Key items will include adequate information
supporting a high level of confidence that:
The "box" around the project is clearly defined (what is and what is not included in the project).

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The orebody resource tonnes/grade, orebody configuration, mining recovery, mining dilution, mining rates,
mining method, and overall mine production plan are realistic.
The overall mine geological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological issues are understood and have been accounted
for.
The orebody metallurgy and mineralogy are understood and the process plant design, performance estimates,
and recovery of metals are realistic.
Adequate infrastructure has been provided to support the mine operation, and the required level of services
(electrical power, potable and process water, site access, etc.) to the site are available.
Equipment needs (fixed and mobile) are known in detail (including delivery, installation, commissioning, spare
parts, special operating and maintenance requirements, etc.).
Productivities and manpower estimates (staff, operating, maintenance, support) for both construction and
operation are realistic.
The schedule is complete and achievable (but not "padded"). Adequate allowances have been made for
reviews, risks, commissioning, and production build-up. Where possible, portions of the work are scheduled to
be carried out in parallel. The split between capital and operating is clearly defined.
The capital cost estimate is detailed, complete, and accurate; and the contingency allowance is justified in
detail.
The operating cost estimate is detailed, complete, and accurate; and the contingency allowance is suitable.
Details to demonstrate that environmental impact issues have been fully identified and adequately addressed
Safety, training, and socio-economic issues have been fully identified and adequately addressed.
An economic assessment showing a suitable return on investment.
A formal assessment of any remaining significant project risks and opportunities.
A plan for detailed design and construction of the project.

Project team
The project team may involve as many as 50 to 100 engineers and other specialists. This will typically consist of:

A dedicated Owner’s project team (project manager and project engineers, with input as required from
other staff personnel such as the operations, health and safety, electrical, and maintenance departments at
other existing properties).
An engineering consulting group team (project manager, project engineers, project estimators,
procurement personnel) tasked to assemble the feasibility study. At times, a much larger team of
discipline engineers, design specialists, and draftsmen will be working on the actual mine, plant, and
facilities design drawings.
Specialist personnel (normally consultants) providing basic information to be used in the study (parallel
studies and testwork for geotechnical, hydrogeological, mineralogical, metallurgical).
Specialists involved in other parallel study areas including environmental impacts, permitting,
environmental monitoring and site closure, community consultation, legal, safety, training, project
management and construction, marketing, etc.

Risk assessment
At the feasibility study level, a formal project risk assessment and risk registry (described in the Pre-feasibility study
section) is completed as part of the study. If a project risk registry was set up during the pre-feasibility study, this risk
registry is reviewed in detail and the mitigation strategies developed during the feasibility study stage are included. All risks
are then given an updated risk/severity rating based on the feasibility study design. If any risks remain high (above an
acceptable company standard) they must be identified in the feasibility study report and will be an important consideration
in any decision to proceed further with the project execution.

Project financial and schedule risks are also assessed in detail, often using specialty resources (Monte Carlo simulations
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_method)) in an effort to provide a recognized basis for the magnitude of
schedule and estimate contingencies. These simulations will be run for all major cost items in the estimate, and for the
critical path (and minimal float items) in the project schedule.

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Study results
At the feasibility study level, there are three possible outcomes:

Go decision…

Proceed to detailed design and project construction.

Obtain final construction and operating permits.

Wait or re-visit…

Project put into a queue of ‘possible projects to be funded’. The location in the queue will depend upon
the relative results of the project economic analysis.

Collect additional data in an effort to improve economics (expand ore tonnes, improve ore grade,
improve recoveries, re-visit long-term metal price estimates, lower capital and operating costs).

No-go decision…

Abandon the project as being un-economic, sell the property, or put the project on hold pending
improved market conditions.

Comments and suggestions

1. Ensure report is accurate

The reader of a feasibility report is being asked to commit tens or hundreds of millions of dollars based on the
report contents. The report must be comprehensive and accurate, and be based on the best available
information.

2. Identify potential problems

At each stage of a project, the cost of fixing an error, omission, or other issue increases dramatically.
Identifying and resolving a problem at the pre-feasibility or feasibility study stage is much less expensive than
identifying and correcting it during project construction, which in turn is less expensive than identifying and
correcting (or living with) the problem during mine operations.

3. Cost estimates must be comprehensive

The feasibility study must include a clear description of the path forward (detailed design, project construction,
and facilities operation). The project cost estimates need to include appropriate resources for the complete
scope of the work and the control (planning, policies, procedures, program development, management,
administration) of these activities.

See also
The stages of mine design

Pre-evaluation study

Scoping study

Pre-feasibility study

Detailed design

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Category: Stages of mine design

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