Some key points to focus on (in most cases) include:
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High Grade Levels - the higher the grade level of ore, the better the project
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Cut-Off Grades, Low vs. High - Cut-off grades are essential to determining the economic feasibility and mine life of a project. Increased cut-off grades can reduce political risks by ensuring higher financial returns over a shorter period of time. Conversely, lower cut-off grades may increase project life with longer economic benefits to shareholders, employees, and local communities. In short, a low cut-off grade does not mean a poor project.
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Easy Access - having easy access to infrastructure including water, electricity, and work force cuts down project costs significantly
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Proximity to Producing Mines - the closer the proximity to a producer, the less the infrastructure costs may be
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Indicated and Inferred in NI 43-101's - Indicated estimate has a higher confidence level that such resources exists by estimating from sampling at places spaced closely enough that its continuity can be reasonably assumed. Inferred estimate is an estimate of resource whose size and grade have been estimated mainly or wholly from limited sampling data, assuming that the mineralized body is continuous and thus less confidence is placed on the data
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Never Rely on Estimates Alone - both indicated and inferred resource estimates in NI 43-101's DOES NOT factor in the feasibility of its resources
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Place of Operation - a great resource is one thing, but a resource located in an unstable country with an unstable government can spell disaster
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Access to Capital - a well funded company usually means other professionals not only have done their research but believe in the project
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Great Management Team - a project can be great but ultimately, a management has to be able to execute
Ironwill