That's just forum chatter. Nothing imo from either company supports the smaller mine theory. I think what we are seeing is a more focussed effort to try and make sure the first years of mining at SC generate the best cash flow scenario (higher grades, credits) to help pay off the capital costs as quickly as possible. jmho
From the SC news release last month.
Efforts to reduce the capital expenditure at Schaft Creek include a review of the location and size of the milling facility, tailing storage facility and camp facilities.
It's not forum chatter, they were looking into reducing the payback period. They are looking to reduce capex. The sooner they pay back the capex, the sooner they can use the cash flows for distributions and expansion of the mine. It's not necessarily mean a smaller mine forever, SC is so large, they will want to expand it down the road (sort of like Highland).
Main focus the JV is doing is to focus on balancing the capex vs cash generated from mining. They want to reduce cost yet want maximum pay back.
