Strategic viability analysis of a Hydrometallurgical refinery at Highland Valley Copper

This project evaluates the strategic, economic and environmental implications of building a hydrometallurgical refinery at Highland Valley Copper to vertically integrate the operation up the value chain. The analysis provides insights about the advantages and disadvantages of the refined copper industry, and how this new business venture might align with Highland Valley Copper’s strategic goals. The project concludes that with rising costs, limited mine life, and extreme smelting and refining charges, the technology provides an attractive opportunity for lower operating costs and adding mining reserves for the organization. However, building a hydrometallurgical refinery requires a capital investment that is of enough magnitude that it makes the initiative unviable.