Myanmar Metals Ltd.'s scoping study on development of an open-pit mining operation at the Bawdwin zinc-lead-silver-copper project in Myanmar confirmed its potential to be redeveloped as a large-scale mining operation.

The scoping study pegged a long-life, low-cost, low strip-ratio, 250-meter-deep open-pit mine with a conventional milling and flotation circuit to produce zinc and lead-silver-copper concentrates.

The study was based on an inferred resource of 75.9 million tonnes grading 4.6% lead, 2.3% zinc, 0.25% copper and 119 g/t of silver.

The company said Dec. 19 that it will undertake a drilling program in 2018 to deliver a JORC 2012-compliant indicated mineral resource estimate at the deposit.

Myanmar Metals noted that it will not look for an off-take partner before it fully defines the project.

The company plans to conduct a definitive feasibility study at Bawdwin following exercise of its option over the project, planned for May 2018, held with Win Myint Mo Industries Co.