Latest news with #DFS
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Brightstar is shooting for gold with attractive DFS for Menzies and Laverton
Brightstar Resources' DFS for Menzies and Laverton projects pre-tax NPV of $316m and IRR of 73% Staged development provides clear, low-cost pathway to becoming a mid-tier gold producer Company has also flagged non-binding terms to acquire Aurumin to consolidate Sandstone assets Special Report: Brightstar Resources has unveiled a highly anticipated definitive feasibility study for its Menzies and Laverton gold projects in Western Australia, charting a path directly to Australia's class of mid-tier gold producers. Under the spot gold price scenario of $5000/oz, the two projects are expected to jointly deliver undiscounted pre-tax cash flow of $461m and return a net present value and internal rate of return of $316m and 73% respectively. The economics remain attractive at a conservative base case gold price scenario ($4500/oz) with the projects expected to generate cash flow of $316m with NPV and IRR of $203m and 48% respectively. Peak capex under the spot gold price scenario is estimated at a modest $120m with a payback of just one year from commissioning of a planned 1Mtpa processing plant at Laverton. Brightstar Resources' (ASX:BTR) staged DFS estimates an initial mine production target of ~6.4Mt grading 1.81g/t gold, or the recovery of 338,528oz of gold over about five years. This is underpinned by a newly declared open pit ore reserve of 4Mt at 1.63g/t, or 210,500oz of contained gold, that complements the existing underground ore reserve of 24,000oz at the Second Fortune and Fish mines in the Laverton hub. However, the DFS assumptions exclude any material from these two underground mines. Average recovered ounces are expected to be ~70,000oz per annum though the company believes there is strong potential to increase mine life with continued exploration of existing resources of +1.5Moz. Along with the final investment decision for Sandstone, which is targeted for 2027, this supports the company's goal of producing 200,000ozpa by 2029. The DFS comes as the company embarks on merger discussions with Aurumin (ASX:AUN) to consolidate their respective tenement holdings in the Central Sandstone region, which will de-risk and potentially accelerate development of the Sandstone project. The compelling combination will provide greater certainty for the development of new infrastructure in the region and unlock exploration synergies. A consolidated Sandstone project grow BTR's total resources in the overlooked gold field to 2.4Moz gold at an average grade of 1.5g/t on granted mining licences. Clear pathway Managing director Alex Rovira said the Laverton and Menzies DFS outlines a robust and clear pathway to building BTR into a meaningful mid-tier gold miner with average production of about 70kozpa for five years. 'Importantly, Brightstar has the vision that the gold production from Menzies and Laverton outlined in the study is targeted to provide the organic free cash flow required to develop the significant Sandstone gold project in the coming years, underpinning our aspiration of building a +200,000oz per annum gold production business,' he added. 'We have identified and will execute on a staged development plan to deliver the optimal outcome when considering capital requirements and operational risk management, which commences at Menzies with the near-term development of the Lady Shenton open pit. 'This staged approach to developing multiple mines across Menzies and Laverton generates capital to expand the business, which includes the construction of a new 1Mtpa CIL processing plant in a highly strategic location south-east of Laverton, utilising the significant benefits of existing infrastructure and permitting.' Support in place BTR has already received letters of intent and term sheets from multiple domestic and offshore commercial banks, as well as demonstrable interest from non-bank lenders for debt financing support account for ~70% of the capital requirements. It has also received a non-binding term sheet from an offshore precious metals specialist investment company for a material $120m funding package comprised of a gold doré offtake and equity financing at a premium. Additionally, the company could ramp-up production in the near-term under a memorandum of understanding with Paddington Gold, which owns the Paddington processing plant north of Kalgoorlie. Under the MoU, both companies are advancing towards a binding agreement for BTR to sell up to 2Mt of ore from the Menzies gold project from H1 2026 over a period of 2.5 years. This will add to the current Laverton ore purchase agreement for the delivery, sale and processing of up to 500,000t of ore from the Second Fortune and Fish mines to Genesis Minerals' (ASX:GMD) Laverton mill over 2025 and Q1 2026. Development plans Under the DFS, BTR plans to construct a new 1Mtpa processing plant in Laverton on the existing processing plant site, which will deliver significant capital and timetable saving by using existing infrastructure and permits. Initial production from come from the Menzies project in 2026 with processing through the targeted agreement with Paddington. Ore will be sourced from the Lady Shenton open pit and ancillary adjacent open pits such as Aspacia, Lady Harriet and Link Zone. Material from the Yunndaga underground mine will be processed through the planned Laverton processing plant, which is expected to come online in 2027. This will also process ore from the Lord Byron and Cork Tree Well open pits and the Alpha underground mine. Separately BTR's move to acquire Aurumin will see the latter's shareholders receive one new BTR share for every 4.6 AUN shares they hold under the non-binding indicative terms for a scheme of arrangement. Based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of 54c per BTR share, this implies a value of 11.7c for each AUN share, or a 26% premium to their 20-day VWAP of 9.3c. Both companies have held a number of discussions and are currently progressing mutual due diligence investigations. This article was developed in collaboration with Brightstar Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Brightstar is shooting for gold with attractive DFS for Menzies and Laverton
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Top tactics Brits use to combat sleepless nights
A study of 1,500 adults found the typical Brit gets three nights of good sleep a week, with many saying they never achieve a perfect night's sleep at all. Brits are resorting to sleeping in separate rooms from their partners, banning gadgets before bedtime, and even avoiding cheese to secure a blissful night's sleep. A survey has unveiled the top 30 tactics people have tried in order to get a good night's sleep. This tactics range from pragmatic approaches like fitting blackout blinds in their bedrooms and fine-tuning bedroom temperature. Other solutions include spraying pillows with soothing scents or engaging in meditation. Yet, the poll uncovered that the average person manages just three satisfying sleeps weekly, with factors such as overthinking, nightmares, or an uncomfortable pillow impacting their sleep. Four out of ten pet owners happily share their snoozing quarters with their animal companions, saying it makes them feel more comfortable and reduces feelings of loneliness. However, only 17 percent reckon it does any favours for their sleep quality. Of those who live with their partners, 10 percent sleep in separate rooms. Many say it helps improve their sleep quality, and for a quarter of these couples, it has even strengthened their relationship. Take this quiz to find out what easy lifestyle tweaks you could make to help improve your bedtime routine and get you to dreamland faster. John Rastall, head of home at DFS said: "It's not rare for couples to sleep in separate rooms these days, which means spending double on mattresses, pillows and sheets, but a price people are prepared to pay." "We're also a nation obsessed with tracking everything from our sleep to steps, meaning people are keener than ever to get a decent kip." The study, commissioned by DFS, revealed that a poor night's sleep leaves Brits feeling lethargic and too exhausted to exercise, with a third even being told they look unwell. For some, a restless night leads to a lack of motivation and increased stress, which can negatively affect productivity. Consequently, poor sleep can start to take a toll on mental health and wellbeing. DFS collaborated with sleep expert Anne Marie Boyhan, who advised: "Sleep is very much linked to light, so I recommend getting as much natural light as possible before 10am which helps boost the production of our sleep hormone, melatonin. "In the evening, keep it dark - sleep in a pitch-black bedroom with the help of blackout blinds or eye masks and a tidy space equals a tidy mind, keep it uncluttered. "Banish blue light from screens an hour before bed and use amber bulbs in the bedroom." Conversely, when Brits do manage to get a good night's sleep, they often feel rejuvenated, more focused, and happier. Four out of ten report a significantly improved mood throughout the day, 22 percent feel they can handle stressful situations with calm, and 19 percent notice healthier relationships. Yet, only 12 percent adopt the same bedtime routine each day. Anne Marie added, "A bedtime routine is very personalised - I would recommend choosing one or two products and practices you look forward to, it doesn't have to be a long or arduous ritual." She shared her own evening ritual, commenting: "For me that means winding down at 9:30pm with a cup of sleep tea, doing my night-time skincare and sleep journaling in bed before lights out by 10:30pm. "Prioritising sleep leaves us feeling happier, more productive and better able to focus." TOP 30 THINGS ADULTS HAVE TRIED FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP: Reading a book before bed Avoiding eating anything too late New pillows Limiting screen time before bed Blackout blinds A new mattress Following a consistent bedtime routine Adjusting room temperature for comfort New bedding (sheets etc.) Wearing earplugs Pillow spray Practicing meditation or mindfulness before bed Listening to sleep stories or guided relaxation Sleeping in a different room to my partner Drinking tea before bed Keeping electronic devices out of the bedroom Drinking chamomile tea before bed Using aromatherapy (e.g., lavender diffuser) Wearing face masks Taking melatonin or other sleep supplements Using a cooling pillow or mattress topper Trying sleep tracking apps or devices Journaling or writing a to-do list to clear the mind Avoiding eating cheese White noise machine Using a weighted blanket Separate beds for you and your partner Doing yoga or light stretching before bed Seeking medical advice for ailments New bedframe
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
AI 171 crash: Advanced DNA profiling helped piece together familial links
Ahmedabad: Four of the 241 victims aboard the ill-fated AI 171 flight were a man, his wife, son and daughter. The forensic experts first relied on the man's paternal uncle to get a sample for the Y-STR (short tandem repeat) test. The relationship, however, did not prove helpful in establishing an identity beyond doubt. So, the experts again reached out to the family to request a sample of the deceased man's mother and performed the X-STR test. "The strategy worked. Through careful kinship analysis using advanced DNA profiling, the team successfully established the man's identity, which proved to be key in identifying three other members of the family," said H P Sanghvi, director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The identity of the last unidentified passenger aboard AI 171 was also confirmed on Friday. A team of 40 forensic scientists from the DFS and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) worked tirelessly to establish the identities of 254 of 260 crash victims based on DNA matches, a mammoth task that posed unique challenges. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Dr Malay Shukla, coordinator at Centre of Excellence (CoE) in DNA Forensics, said that one of the cases involved three members of a family — a man, his wife and daughter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jesus' Tomb Is Opened And Scientists Find Something Unbelievable Novelodge Undo "In this case, we got the reference DNA from the couple's other daughter. Autosomal (non-sex chromosome) markers were used to narrow down the connection between the victims and the donor. To verify that all four were related to each other, X-STRs were used. With the use of both X-STR and autosomal STR, we could establish the identities," said Prof Shukla. Dr Bhargav Patel, head of the CoE in DNA Forensics at NFSU, said that they have matched the DNA samples of the victims with nephews, cousins, grandparents and maternal or paternal uncles. "In conventional matches, we generally rely on either X-STR, Y-STR or autosomal STR test to establish identities. But in the cases associated with the crash, more than one test was employed in several cases. In some of the cases, even mitochondrial DNA matches were used. While nuclear DNA (with X and Y chromosomes) is inherited from both parents, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally," he said. The X-STR markers are inherited from mother to daughter and son, and from father to daughter, but not from father to son. Likewise, mtDNA is inherited maternally and can be matched with the maternal line. In one of the better-known cases from the airplane crash, the identification of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was carried out using the Y-STR from his nephew on the patrilineal branch. Earlier, his sister and son had provided the samples for the match. Experts said that ensure the quality of DNA samples, they relied primarily on teeth. Their second choice was bones such as the mandible (jaw) and clavicle (collarbone) that sustained severe temperatures. Several of the samples were in highly deteriorated condition, the team managed to match all samples, according to the experts.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Advanced DNA profiling helped piece together familial links
Ahmedabad: Four of the 241 victims aboard the ill-fated AI 171 flight were a man, his wife, son and daughter. The forensic experts first relied on the man's paternal uncle to get a sample for the Y-STR (short tandem repeat) test. The relationship, however, did not prove helpful in establishing an identity beyond doubt. So, the experts again reached out to the family to request a sample of the deceased man's mother and performed the X-STR test. "The strategy worked. Through careful kinship analysis using advanced DNA profiling, the team successfully established the man's identity, which proved to be key in identifying three other members of the family," said H P Sanghvi, director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The identity of the last unidentified passenger aboard AI 171 was also confirmed on Friday. A team of 40 forensic scientists from the DFS and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) worked tirelessly to establish the identities of 254 of 260 crash victims based on DNA matches, a mammoth task that posed unique challenges. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Dr Malay Shukla, coordinator at Centre of Excellence (CoE) in DNA Forensics, said that one of the cases involved three members of a family — a man, his wife and daughter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch xu hướng AUD/USD? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "In this case, we got the reference DNA from the couple's other daughter. Autosomal (non-sex chromosome) markers were used to narrow down the connection between the victims and the donor. To verify that all four were related to each other, X-STRs were used. With the use of both X-STR and autosomal STR, we could establish the identities," said Prof Shukla. Dr Bhargav Patel, head of the CoE in DNA Forensics at NFSU, said that they have matched the DNA samples of the victims with nephews, cousins, grandparents and maternal or paternal uncles. "In conventional matches, we generally rely on either X-STR, Y-STR or autosomal STR test to establish identities. But in the cases associated with the crash, more than one test was employed in several cases. In some of the cases, even mitochondrial DNA matches were used. While nuclear DNA (with X and Y chromosomes) is inherited from both parents, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally," he said. The X-STR markers are inherited from mother to daughter and son, and from father to daughter, but not from father to son. Likewise, mtDNA is inherited maternally and can be matched with the maternal line. In one of the better-known cases from the airplane crash, the identification of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was carried out using the Y-STR from his nephew on the patrilineal branch. Earlier, his sister and son had provided the samples for the match. Experts said that ensure the quality of DNA samples, they relied primarily on teeth. Their second choice was bones such as the mandible (jaw) and clavicle (collarbone) that sustained severe temperatures. Several of the samples were in highly deteriorated condition, the team managed to match all samples, according to the experts.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Fire engulfs plastic granule unit in Bawana, second incident in a week
New Delhi: A massive fire engulfed a factory in Bawana, northwest Delhi, in the early hours of Friday. The plastic granule manufacturing factory was full of flammable materials that led to the quick spread of the blaze. No deaths have been reported. This is the second incident of a factory blaze in a week. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS), information regarding the fire came to it at 4.15am. "Immediately, 25 fire tenders were deployed and 150 firefighters worked in shifts to douse the blaze. After about five hours, the fire was doused around 9am, however the fire kept reigniting," a DFS official said. A senior fire officer said: "When the team reached the spot and entered through the front, we found that the entire building was engulfed in flames and extremely difficult to approach right from the front gate. The materials that were being used in the factory, particularly plastic that was used in manufacturing, were very flammable and all around the premises, blocking the pathways of the team, especially because the singular staircase was also blocked. Our effort to enter the building and navigate around were deeply hindered by the amount of ignited materials that were present all around." "The entire 300 square-yard building, consisting of the basement, ground and first floors, was engulfed in the fire," said a DFS official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Fire officers also added that the plastic materials in the factory caught fire quickly as it spread throughout the floor and then the building. As an additional concern, the factory building itself was also very poorly ventilated with only small windows on the top floor which made it difficult for the team to locate the areas of fire and douse it. Loss of working machinery and goods have been reported. The police have reported no casualties. Police said an investigation is under way to ascertain the cause of the fire. Earlier this week, another massive fire in a factory had claimed four lives in Rithala in Rohini's Sector 5 area.
