Coro plans 2011 feasibility, 2013 startup at San Jorge

Vancouver's Coro Mining (TSX: COP) plans to finish in the second quarter of 2011 a feasibility study for its San Jorge copper-gold project in Argentina's Mendoza province, with production targeted for 2013, the company reported. Feasibility work is scheduled to begin following provincial ratification of an EIS on the project, which is expected in 1Q10, according to a company presentation. Ministerial approval of the EIS is due by year-end. The project contemplates producing concentrate from San Jorge's oxide ore, while the sulfide ore will not be processed due to Mendoza's ban on the use of sulfuric acid. Based on an April 2009 preliminary economic assessment, capex for the concentrator operation is forecast at US$277mn, while output over the 16-year mine life is slated at 40,000t/y copper and some 40,000oz/y gold. Mineralization at the project remains open to the west and at depth, Coro said. Coro also has the Llancahue and Chacay copper exploration projects plus additional claims, all in Chile.