Partial Assistance to Masters and PhD Candidates in filling Application Forms for Japanese Scholarships or Self Sponsor

This is a general announcement to keen researchers and potential researchers of the Earth Resources Engineering in Papua New Guinea and any other Pacific Island Nations.

If you are one of the interested or  potential research candidate (Master ,PhD, Post PhD etc) who are planning to apply for further studies through Japanese Government Scholarships or self sponsor or by any form of arrangements and need assistance in securing Supervisors/Professors from various Japanese Universities which is one of the requirements for the Scholarship Applications Forms, then we are more than willing to assist you in this regard. 

Our team has been approached by several Professors of the Department of Earth Resources Engineering in Kyushu University Under the Faculty of Engineering to connect any interested research candidate (Master ,PhD, Post PhD etc) who may be interested to study in Japan through either scholarships or by various  sponsorship arrangements.

If you are interested or need guidance in this regard then feel free to contact us through the contact form on our website.

The requirements and steps are:

1. Topic of Research

2. Your Scope of Study or Study Plan is basically the brief of what you intend to do under your topic selected. i.e. Introduction, Objective, Methodology etc.. Have a clear idea on the topic.

3. State Clearly which Laboratory you would like to apply to do your research. The Laboratory of your choice can either be related to your topic.

4. Provide you contact information especially e-mail. 

5. We will introduce your topic and your contact to the Professors concern.

6. The Professors will then contact you for further discussions regarding your topic and research plan and further provide direction for actions at your end including the entry requirements and applications.

Kasuga Gold Mine in Kagoshima, Japan

DISCLAIMER

To avoid doubt, this is not a scholarship information and we do not provide scholarship Application Forms either. It is just an announcement offering assistance to those who are in need. Helping others progress in Earth Resources Engineering.

We help to connect interested researchers to Researchers.

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Analysis of Flood in Mul District that caused 6 lives and Catastrophic destruction to properties

The flooding of Kuma Creek has caused massive destruction to properties and confirmed six fatalities downstream. Kuma Creek is such a small creek which is  a tributary of Gumanch River which joins with other rivers to form the Wagi River in the Western Highlands Province.

It is unbelievable for such a small creek to cause massive destruction to lives of people and properties downstream. According to preliminary report posted on Facebook dated 4th February 2020 by Stanley Kheel Kewa, it reads: 

"Preliminary reports from Mt Hagen confirm massive scale of destruction by the Kuma river a tributary of the Gumanch river in Mul district of Western Highlands Province. Four adults and five children totaling nine casualties as reported deaths now. More investigations are in progress as surrounding communities are assessing and investigating the magnitude of the destruction.

Local tribes in the area are the Nengka, Munjika & Mele tribes. Locals reporting from Hagen say this is one of the worst natural disasters the community has ever experienced since time immemorial. The Kuma & Gumanch rivers originate from the top peak of the highest mountain range in WHP known as the Mt Hagen range from which the current Hagen city got its name.

The Nengka Kuiprungils, Nengka Oiyambs and Munjika Rapgangils live at the edge of the Hagen range with houses and gardens patched along the Gumanch and Kuma tributaries.

Ken Paul is a local from the area and reports he is in Hagen town trying to mobilize disaster office and news personnel into the area for further investigations and reporting.

This is just a preliminary report with photos of the disaster zone downloaded from fb pages."

Locals on site - photo courtesy of Facebook

Photo Courtesy of The National Newspaper

Debris of flood - Photo courtesy of facebook

MarapanaVillage aftermath - photo by National newspaper

Now,

one would wonder with questions in anticipating superstitions without establishing the facts and without even having a curiosity in mind. The possible cause of the flood can be best explained as follows;

There must be couple of landslips

caused by what is believed to be over saturated water-table/reservoir

contain by permeable rocks

at both steep

sides of the wedge walls/hills

of  Kuma Creek which is indicated on the snapshot below. 

Then the slipped materials must have

formed an embankment or base which blocked the upstream and the water built up at the upper end of the embankment which formed a temporary mini dam. 

As the mini dam rose with altitude, the stress build up also increased until it reached a

bursting failure in which debris of embankment together with other slipped materials along the creek's

pathway were all washed away and flooded the banks of Kuma and Gumanch Rivers which caused the catastrophic destruction to properties and fatality of 6 human lives. 

The mass flow of loose materials which blocked the flowing river which resulted in forming a mini dam were not competent or strong enough to withstand the pressure/stress build up at the upper end of the blockage, it then burst out and flooded the downstream at a greater momentum which is possible for massive destruction.

So sad that  many loved ones lost their lives due to the catastrophic disaster caused by this unusual flood.

Expected failed area

Location Failure is Expected

Marapana Village

Ariel view of Kuma,Tagla Kwip and Marapana

Note  that this analysis is based on opinion only and not substantiated with facts. If someone wants to proof with factual information then someone need to take a walk up the Kuma river and look for any trace of landslip. If that is so then that would be the cause of the flooding. 

To prevent properties and lives, build houses on higher grounds and also build flood walls along the river banks where valuable properties are installed. Do make awareness to kids and matured people to evacuate quick if unexpected signals are given before massive destruction happens again.

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Geothermal System Modelling - Basic Model

Geothermal System Modelling

Report Submitted by Group Fuji

Basic Model

1.0       Introduction

The Basic Model  parameters (basicmodel.in) was used to calculate the transient behaviour of the hydrotherm system up to 100,000 years. Team Fuji analysed the calculation results in the numerical model by changing one of the parameters in the initial model and run the simulation using HYDOTHERM. In this case, the team changed the size of the heat source while keeping the other parameters constant in the model. The calculation results were run at 20000,40000,60000,80000 and 100000 years.

The physical modes of each scenario are demonstrated in the following model diagrams (Fig. 1-5) below. Heat Source is shown at the centre at 4km x 4km x 2km for the basic model which is represented in red cubical color. The size of the heat source is decreased by 3km x 3km x 2km and then increased to 6km x 6km x 2km in that order. Two different input file  with the different  sizes in X and Y direction  (heat source dimensions only) were run using  Jupiter post-processor (Hydrotherm program). After the simulation in the series of years mentioned above, temperature and flow variation were used to explain the trends in cooling rate of the heat source and temperature variation with time, corresponding analysis is illustrated in the discussion section.

Fig. 1 Heat source at the deeper layer
 of the model (2km thick) 

  Fig. 2 Section View of the initial
 model

  

Fig. 3 Overview of the initial block model

  Fig. 4 Section view of the block model when heat source decreased to 3km x 3km

    

Fig. 5 Sectional view of the block model when increasing the
 size of the heat source by 6km x 6km

                               

Note: everything else is kept constant except the size of heat source changed for the next two models.

2.0    Discussion

1.1 Heat source

The trend of the cooling equations (below) illustrate the differences in the thickness of the heat sources. Therefore, the larger the areal extent of the heat source is inverse proportional to the cooling rate.  The bigger the heat source, the longer it takes to for it to cool down.

Figure 6: Cooling rate of the heat source

The cooling equations for the model with 3kmx3kmx2km, 4kmx4kmx2km and 6kmx6kmx2km heat sources are shown below:

respectively.

1.2  Rate of cooling of the reservoir

The graph below portrays the cooling rate of the reservoir, approximately 1km above the heat source where the convective heat transfer currents are mostly upwelling.

4kmx4kmx2km heat source

Figure 7: Cooling rate of the reservoir

The reservoir cooling curves in Fig.7 above have near - similar trend except for the model with 6kmx6kmx2km heat source which has a kink upwelling at 40,000 years.

1.3 Interstitial steam and water flow

1.3.1        3kmx3kmx2km heat source model

At 20,000years, the hot water rises from the center of the model and travels upward towards the surface as interstitial water moves slowly to recharge the reservoir. At 40,000 years, the rising hot water together with the conduction heat transfer heats a larger area above the magma thus expanding the reservoir area (region in which hot water rises upward).  From 60,000 to 100,000 years, the model cools to below 200°C and convective currents carrying hot water upward weakens over time.

Figure 8: Simulation of 3km x 3km x 2km heat source after 20000 years.

1.3.2        6kmx6kmx2km heat source model

At 20,000years, we have two convective upflow regions which may form two reservoirs about 1km on either side of the center of the model (approx. 9000m and 11000m from LHS of the model).

At 40,000yrs, the two reservoirs merge into one as the heat source cools with convective currents weakening as the model ages all the way to 100,000years.

Figure 10: Simulation of 6km x 6km x 2km heat source after 40000 years.

3.0     Conclusion

In this study, only the heat source dimensions were varied without any change in other parameters.  The results were then evaluated and discussed using that assumption.

The areal extent of the heat sources directly influences the convective flow of fluids and temperature. However, transient temperature evaluation indicates that the rate of cooling of the heat source is inversely proportional to the size of the heat source. The larger size (6km x 6km x 2km) of the heat source allows for a longer period of high-temperature fluid convection. 

     

Figure 12 : 3X3 Heat source       Figure 11: 6X6 Heat source

Source: Groupwork Hydrotherm Basic Model Assignment Report -

Contributions to Group Fuji:

Islomove Sunnatullo-Rock Engineering, Koskey Philemon Kiprotich- Geothermics, Gilbert Bett Kipngetich-Geothermics, Gutierrez Donaire Kevin Yamil - Geothermics, Haissama Osmanali - Geothermics, Kuri Las - Rock Engineering, Lim Pagna-Economic Geology, Mwangi Samuel Muraguri -Geothermics, Ngethe John-Energy Resources, Omondi Philip Omollo-Geothermics, Samod Yuossouf Hassan - Economic Geology

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Frieda River (SMLA9) Mining Warden Hearing

Frieda River copper and gold project is located at the border of East and West Sepik. The holder of the exploration license EL58 lodged an application  for a Special Mining Lease on 24th june 2016. This date is the date at which the application was registered by the Registrar of Mineral Tenements. This process is pretty much similar to that of land lease process.

As per the process, the Registrar upon registration gives notice to the Chief Mining Warden and other officers for technical appraisal. This triggers the next procedure which is the Warden Hearing Process. the Chief Warden together with the registrar fixes a date and time and venue and notify impacted stakes holders regarding the hearing. This is a public forum for the impacted stake holders where the views of the impacted people are gauged.

As such, the above process were followed and Mining Warden hearing was conducted at several venues. The Application was not only the SML application but some other auxiliary leases as well such as lease for mining purposes (LMP), Mining Lease, Mining Easements (ME). To cater for all these leases, there were several venues fixed for hearing. the impacted communities of the Frieda River Project include but not limited to the following:

* Wabia village

*Ok Isai Air strip

*Kubkain village

*Iniok Village

*Aum 3 Village

*Wemimin 1 & 2

* Hotmine Mission Station

The Views of the people were gauged and report compiled for further deliberation. The views of the people were either supportive or objective. The the job of the mining warden is the record all good or bad comments and compile report and also give his/her view.

The other part of the technical assessment is another process which is dealt with by the technical assessment team.

Chief Mining Warden, Andrew Gunua was  Conducting Mining Warden Hearing at Ok Isai, for the Frieda River SML 9 Application in the West Sepik Province 

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Financial Performance Analysis of a Mining Company (Simple Example) - Mineral Economics

1. Analyze the financial performance of the Lihir Gold Limited for 2006. Given the Balance Sheet and Income Statement, calculating the following ratios and interpret the results.

 i.  Analyze the Liquidity/Solvency
This measures the firm’s ability to meet short term obligations i.e. debt payment.

a) Net Working Capital
 Net Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liability
                                    = U$ 132,700, 000 –US$ 207,300, 000
                                     = – US$ 74,600, 000
Net Working Capital shows that Lihir is not capable of meeting its short term obligation. The current assets could not meet the current Liability.

 b) Current Ratio

Current Ratio= Current Assets/  Current Liability     = U$132 700 000/ U$207 300 000= 0.64
                         

Mining’s CF is highly predictable so current ratio of over 1 or 2 is acceptable. Thus Lihir has no short term debt paying ability because current ratio is less than 1.

c) Quick Ratio

Quick Ratio = Current Asset – Inventory/  Current Liability
                     =  U$ 132,700, 000 –U$75300 000/U$ 207300 000 
                     = 0.277
                                         
 Quick ratio> 1 is desired, so Lihir has no immediate ability to meet current debts.

 ii. Analyzing Activity
Activity ratios are used to measure the speed at which various accounts are converted into sales or cash.

 a) Inventory Turnover – shows how soon the inventory will be converted to cash.

Inventory Turnover = Cost of goods sold /  Inventory  = U$ 268100 000 / U$ 75300 000= 3.56
                                             
Exploration expenses = US$ 6000 000 is an expense

Therefore; Inventory Turnover = Cost of goods sold /  Inventory
                                                  = US$ 262100000 / US$75300 000 = 3.48
                                                                 

Inventory turnover is useful only when compared with that of other firms with same industry. For Mining and Petroleum inventory turnover is between 5- 10. However, Lihir has less than that (i.e.3.48) so inventory turnover is very poor. And the number of days required to convert inventory into cash is 360days/3.48 = 103.45 days.


b)Average Collection – average amount time required to collect accounts receivables

Average Collection Period = Accounts receivables /Average Sales/day

                              =  U$4600 000  /U$ 310400 000/360           = 5.3 days
                                                     

The average collection period of 5.3 is indicative of good managed credit collection or credit department.

c) Average payment period – average amount of time needed to pay accounts payable.

 Average Payment period = Accounts payable/ Av. Purchases/day*% of goods sold                     
                                         

US$ (268.1M – 6M (Exploration expense)) = US$ 262.1 M Cost of goods sold;

Average Payment period = US$ 46 600 000 /US$ 262100 000/360 * 0.84 = 76.2
                                        = 76.2 days to pay for credit purchases

 If the credit purchase term is 30 days, financial analysts could give Lihir low credit rating because 76.2 days to payback credit purchases is unacceptable.

 d) Fixed asset turn over – measures the efficiency with which bthe firm has been using its fixed, or earnings, assets to generate sales.

 Fixed assets Turnover =   Sales  /Net fixed assets
                               = US$ 310 400 000 / US$ 86200 000 = 3.6
                             

This means Lihir Mine Ltd’s turnover on its fixed assets is 3.6 times a year. It indicates fixed assets are efficiently used to generate cash flow.


 e) Total asset turnover – indicates the efficiency with which the firm uses all its assets to generate sales.

Total assets turnover = Sales /Total assets   = US$ 310 400 000 / US$ 1 496 000 000  = 0.21
                                     
The overall efficiency of using assets to generate sales is 0.21 which is not a good reflection. It could mean assets are old and need replacement.


iii)Analyzing Debt

a) Debt ratio- measures the proportion of total assets financed by the firm’s creditors.(the higher the ratio reflects greater amount of other people’s money used in an attempt to generate profit)

 Debt ratio   = Total liabilities / Total Assets       = US$ 684 100 000 /US$ 1 496 000 000
                                                                             = 0.457 = 45.7%
                                   
This indicates Lihir has financed 45.7% of its assets with debt which is good.

 b) Debt equity ratio – measures the ratios or long-term debt to stockholders equity. It generally measures the degree of financial leverage of the firm.

Debt Equity Ratio = long term debt /Stockholders equity = US$188 600 000 /US$ 811 900000 =3.23%
                                           
It means Lihir applied 23.23 % debt to procure long – term assets which is lower debt – equity ratio. This indicates that it has a stable cash flow debt that can be paid at a shorter period of time.

c) Times interest earned ratio – measures the firm’s ability to make contractual interest payments.

 Time interest earned = earnings before interest & taxes (EBIT)/ Interest Expense
                                               
                                 =  US$ 80 700 000  / US$(1 400 000 + 6 200 000) = 10.2
                                   
 Lihir time interest earned is 10.2. As a rule, a value of 3 to 5 is a good margin for safety from shrinking and liquidation. However Lihir has exceeded that margin and indicates that Lihir is able to fulfill its interest servicing.

d) Fixed payment coverage ratio – measures the firm’s ability to meet all fixed – payment obligations such as loan interest ,principal, lease payments and preferred stock dividends

Fixed payment coverage ratio
=  EBIT + Lease payments / (  Interest + lease pmt + { ( prin.pmt + preferred stock div) x (1/(1-T))})
   
=   *(US$ 80 700 000 + 0  )/ (      US$ 1 400 000 + 0 +{( 30 600 000 + 0) x (1/(1 – 0.3))}) = 1.7

Note: Principle payment is obtain from year 2005 and PNG Income tax is 30%. No lease payment and no preferred stock dividend for year 2006.

iv. Analyzing profitability 

a) Gross profit margin – indicates the efficiency of management in turning over company’s goods into profit.

Gross profit Margin = (Sales - Cost of Goods sold)/Sales
                                 =   (US$ 310 400 000 – US$ 268 100 000 )/ US$ 310 400 000 = 13.6 %

Exploration expenses = US$ 6000 000 is an expense

Therefore Gross profit Margin= US$310.4M – US$(268.1 - 6)M/   US$ 310.4= 15.56 %
                                                             

The gross profit margin in 2005 is -4.57% or the company has received less revenue. However it has improved in 2006 with gross profit margin of 15.56%.

b) Net profit margin – measures the profit produced by each dollar of sales.

 Net Profit Margin = Net profit after taxes/  Sales  =  US$ 53 800 000 / US$ 310 400 000   = 17.35 %
                                                           
In 2005, the company has net profit margin of 19.0 % and in 2006 with the net profit margin of 17.35%. So in 2005 there is slightly improvement in profit produce by each dollar of sales.

 c) Return on assets (ROA) – measures the overall effectiveness of management in generating profits with its available assets.

 Return on Assets = (Net profit (before extraordinary items) + income tax + Interest )/Average total assets
= (US$ 53 800 000 + US$ 22 100 000 + US$ 1400 000 )/((US$ 1496 000 000 + US$ 1319 400 000)/2)
 = 5.5 % Return of assets
This shows that company has profit earning power using its limited available assets.


d) Return on equity 

Return on equity = net profit – preference dividend /Average stockholders’ equity
                               
                            = ( US$ 53800 000 - 0 ) / (US$1496 000 000 + US$ 1319 400 000)/2   = 3.8%
                               

For every dollar of strockholders’ equity, there is 3.8% return accruing to the stock holder.

 e) Earnings per share – use by stock investor to compare different companies on the basis of earning power of the firm’s each outstanding share on common stock.

Earnings per share = net profit (before extraordinary items) – preference dividend
                                             Number of ordinary shares issued (outstanding)
                     
                                 = (US$ 53 000 000 – 0 )/1284 049000
                                 =US$ 0.041
The EPS of US$0.04 represent dollar amount earned on behalf of each shareholder by the company using each shareholder’s equity.

 f) Price/earnings (P/E) Ratio – is the ratio use to assess the future financial performance of the firm.

Price / earnings = market price per share of common stock earnings per share.
                       
                          = Selling Price / EPS
                               

Note: The Selling price was hardly found in the given data (may be not given in the data) so the Ratio was not calculated.


SUMMARY STATEMENT OF LIHIR GOLD MINE 

A) Liquidity 

Liquidity or Lihir’s ability to meet short term obligations is reasonably not stable and unsecure and there is a short term liquidation problem as observed from liquidity/solvency analysis. It is seen that it will take a long time for Lihir to pay its debt. This is shown by current ratio 0.64 and quick ratio 0.277. Mining’s CF is highly predictable so current ratio of over 1 or 2 is acceptable. Thus Lihir has no short term debt paying ability because current ratio is less than 1. Quick ratio> 1 is desired, so Lihir has no immediate ability to meet current debts.

B) Activity

 Lihir’s inventory appears to be in bad shape and the firm faced problems with account receivables of 103.45 days. Average payment is unacceptable and total assets turnover is not good. However, the average collection period of 5.3 is indicative of good managed credit collection or credit department.

C) Financial Terms

Lihir Mine’s indebtness increase over the year 2005 to 2006. It has no lease payments and the amount of debt is small and can be paid within a short period of time.

 D) Profitability

 Compared to year 2005, Lihir has made great improvement and its net profit was greater than previous year.

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Consumer Price Index(CPI) - Mineral Economics Questions and Answers

                          CPI for USA  from Year 1990 to 2010

Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Annual
2010	216.687	216.741	217.631	218.009	218.178	217.965	218.011	218.312	218.439	218.711	218.803	219.179	218.055
2009	211.143	212.193	212.709	213.24	213.856	215.693	215.351	215.834	215.969	216.177	216.33	215.949	214.537
2008	211.08	211.693	213.528	214.823	216.632	218.815	219.964	219.086	218.783	216.573	212.425	210.228	215.303
2007	202.416	203.499	205.352	206.686	207.949	208.352	208.299	207.917	208.49	208.936	210.177	210.036	207.342
2006	198.3	198.7	199.8	201.5	202.5	202.9	203.5	203.9	202.9	201.8	201.5	201.8	201.6
2005	190.7	191.8	193.3	194.6	194.4	194.5	195.4	196.4	198.8	199.2	197.6	196.8	195.3
2004	185.2	186.2	187.4	188	189.1	189.7	189.4	189.5	189.9	190.9	191	190.3	188.9
2003	181.7	183.1	184.2	183.8	183.5	183.7	183.9	184.6	185.2	185	184.5	184.3	184
2002	177.1	177.8	178.8	179.8	179.8	179.9	180.1	180.7	181	181.3	181.3	180.9	179.9
2001	175.1	175.8	176.2	176.9	177.7	178	177.5	177.5	178.3	177.7	177.4	176.7	177.1
2000	168.8	169.8	171.2	171.3	171.5	172.4	172.8	172.8	173.7	174	174.1	174	172.2
1999	164.3	164.5	165	166.2	166.2	166.2	166.7	167.1	167.9	168.2	168.3	168.3	166.6
1998	161.6	161.9	162.2	162.5	162.8	163	163.2	163.4	163.6	164	164	163.9	163
1997	159.1	159.6	160	160.2	160.1	160.3	160.5	160.8	161.2	161.6	161.5	161.3	160.5
1996	154.4	154.9	155.7	156.3	156.6	156.7	157	157.3	157.8	158.3	158.6	158.6	156.9
1995	150.3	150.9	151.4	151.9	152.2	152.5	152.5	152.9	153.2	153.7	153.6	153.5	152.4
1994	146.2	146.7	147.2	147.4	147.5	148	148.4	149	149.4	149.5	149.7	149.7	148.2
1993	142.6	143.1	143.6	144	144.2	144.4	144.4	144.8	145.1	145.7	145.8	145.8	144.5
1992	138.1	138.6	139.3	139.5	139.7	140.2	140.5	140.9	141.3	141.8	142	141.9	140.3
1991	134.6	134.8	135	135.2	135.6	136	136.2	136.6	137.2	137.4	137.8	137.9	136.2
1990	127.4	128	128.7	128.9	129.2	129.9	130.4	131.6	132.7	133	133.8	133.8	130.5

1.  PRODUCTION

Data-

30 000 000 tonnes Cu ore/day for 350 days for 20 years

Mill recovery 87% for every 1 tonnage mined

Cu grade is 0.8% tone Cu per mill tonnage produce.

The price of Cu is projected to be US$1.25/lb

Production = 30 000 x 350 x 20 = 210 000 000 metric tones of Cu ore for 20 years.

Mill trough put Recovery =  87% x 210 000 000 = 182 700 000 Mill tonnage

                                               100

 Cu ore grade is 0.8% tonne Cu per mill tonnage produced

                0.8% x 182 700 000 = 1 461 600 tonnes Cu produced

               100

Price of Cu is projected to be US$ 1.25/lb

1 lb = 0.4535924 kg = 0.000453924 tonnes (Using Calculator Conversion)

                       US$ 1.25 = 0.000453924 tonnes                                                                                 

                          xUS$   = 1 tonne

                      1 tonne    = US$ 2755.778095

Therefore price of Cu projected is US$ 2755.778095/tonne

 Gross Revenue = US$ 2755.778095 x 1 461 600 tonnes of Cu = US$ 4 027 845 264  

2. Capital Cost

Data-

Capital cost projected to be US$600 million (1990)

Working Capital is US$ 70 million (1990)

NB: expected to be incurred in year 2

 Salvage value is 20% of the capital cost.

Capital Cost – 60% debt with 12% interest

                     -  40% equity raising 

Real escalation is 4%

Calculation

·         Inflation in 2010 =   CPI Dec 2010  - 1       =   US$ 219.179 - 1 =  63.81 %

        CPI Dec 1990                   US$ 133.80

                                           = 63.81%  nominal inflation in 2010

    

·         Nominal escalation    = (1+ inf 1990 -2010)* (1 + real esc.)ⁿ -1

= (1+ 0.6381)* (1+0.04)²⁰ – 1

= 258.9 % over the 20  years period

Therefore,

·         Capital Cost (Dec 1990) US$ 600 M x (1+2.589) = US$ 2 153 400 000 (Dec 2010)

·         Working Capital ( Dec 1990) US$ 70M x (1 + 2.589) = US$ 251 230 000 (Dec 2010)

·         Capital Cost financed through debt  60% with 12% interest

      60%/100 x US$ 2 153 400 000 =  US$ 1 292 040 000 with 12% interest

·         Capital cost financed through equity of 40 %

      40% / 100 x US$ 2 153 400 000 =  US$ 861 360 000

·         Salvage

20%/100 x US$ 2 153 400 000 =   US$ 430 680 000

Annual Interest plus principle payment

A = P x    i x (1 + i) ⁿ = US$ 1 292 040 000 x 0.12(1 +0.12)¹⁰ =  US$ 228 670 619.5

                 (1 + i)ⁿ – 1                                      (1 + 0.12 )¹⁰ -1

                                   = US$ 228 670 619.5

Principle = US$ 1 292 040 000 = US$ 129 204 000

                            10

Interest = Annual payment – principle

             = US$ 228 670 619.5  – US$ 129 204 000 = US$ 67 201 632.5

3.      Operating Cost

i)              Mining Operation Cost

Data

Total ore & waste tonnage is 90 000 tonnes mined per day for 350 days for 20 years

 It cost US$1.0/tonne to remove both waste and ore.

Total cost = US$ 1.0/tonnes x 90 000 x 350

                  =US$ 31 500 000 (1990 value)

Therefore;

·         Mining operating Cost

 (Dec 1990) US$ 31 500 000 x (1+2.589) = US$ 113 053 500 (Dec 2010)

ii)             Milling, Severance and administration operating cost

 a)      Milling

Milling Cost = US$1.60/tonne x 30 000 x 350 = US$ 16 800 000 (1990 value)

        (Dec 1990) US$ 16 800 000 x (1 + 2.589) = US$ 60 295 200 (Dec 2010)

b)      Severance

Severance Cost = US$0.10/tonne x 30 000 x 350   = US$ 1 050 000 (Dec 1990)

                 (Dec 1990) US$1 050 000 x (1 + 2.589) = US$ 3 768 450 (Dec 2010)

c)      Administration

Administration Cost = US$ 0.20/tonne x 30 000 x 350 = US$ 2 100 000 (Dec 1990)

                        (Dec 1990) US$ 2 100 000 x (1+2.589) = US$ 7 536 900 (Dec 2010)

d)     1 tonne Cu smelter-charged is imposed on every 0.87 tonne mill production =

  1tonne/ 0.87tonne x US$1.60 x 30 000 x 350 =US$ 19 310 344.83 (Dec 1990)

           (Dec 1990) US$ 19 310 344.83 x (1+2.589) = US$ 69 304 827.59 (Dec 2010) 

Total Operating Cost = US$ 253 958 877.6

4. Development Cost (Capital Cost)

     Year 0 to Year 1 amount used is US$300 million (1990)

  (Dec 1990)US$ 300M x (1+2.589) = US$ 1 076 700 000 (2010 value)

Year 1 to Year 2 amount used is US$300 million (1990 value)

    (Dec 1990)US$ 300M x (1+2.589) = US$ 1 076 700 000  (2010 value)

5. Royalty

 2% + 0.25% = 2.25% from Year 2 to Year 12

2.25% - 0.25% = 2.0 % from Year 13 to Year 22

 6.      Income Tax

 PNG Income Tax rate is 30% of the corporate income.

7.      Depreciation

Year 2 – 14 Apply Double Declining Balance Method (1/2 convention)

Year 15 – 22 Switch to Straight line depreciation.

 i)                    Double Declining Balance Method

Year	Method	Rate x Adjusted Basis	Depreciated Amount  (US$)
1
2	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 2,153,400,000  x 1/2	124,234,615.4
3	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 2,029,165,385	234,134,467.5
4	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x1,795,030,918	207,118,952
5	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x1,587,911,966	183,220,611.5
6	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x1,404,691,355	162,079,771.7
7	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 1,242,611,583	143,378,259.6
8	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 1,099,233,323	126,834,614.2
9	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 972,398,708.8	112,199,851
10	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 860,198,857.8	99,253,714.36
11	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 760,945,143.4	29,267,120.9
12	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 731,678,022.5	84,424,387.21
13	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 647,253,635.3	74,683,111.76
14	1.5 DB	1.5/13 x 572,570,523.5	66,0665,829.64

ii)                  Straight Line Depreciation

      Annual Depreciation = US$ 41 064 561.09 = US$ 5 133 070.137/year

                                                  8 years

8.      Discount Rate

Step 1

   E(R_i) = R_f + ß_i [E (R_m – R_f )]

             =  5% + 1% * [ 6% – 5% ]

            =  6% is expected rate of return on the stock investment

Step 2

  WACC =   E(R_i) *     D    +      D      *  (1 – t )* i

                               (D + E)   (D + E)

  WACC = 6% *        60        +           60       * (1 – 0.3)*  12      

                            (40 + 60)           (40 + 60)

             = 8.64%

Therefore the discount rate is 8.64%

                                           Summary of the Calculation

·         Gross Revenue   US$ 4 027 845 264

·         Royalty -  2%  + 0.25% = 2.25% from Year 2 to Year 12

-          2.25% - 0.25% = 2.0 % from Year 13 to Year 22

·         Capital CostUS$ 2 153 400 000

                i) US$ 1 076 700 000  (Year 0-1)

               ii) US$ 1 076 700 000 (Year 1-2)

·         Operating Cost  US$ US$ 253 958 877.6

·         Working Capital - US$ 251 230 000

·         Salvage Value - US$ 430 680 000

·         Depreciation

·         Interest Expense

·         Tax  30%

·         Discount Rate  8.64%

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