Idaho Copper Corp. (NYSE American: COPR) announced the results of an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its 100%-owned CuMo copper-molybdenum-silver project in Boise County, Idaho. The study outlines an after-tax net present value (NPV) of $1.88 billion at an 8% discount rate, an after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.5%, and a payback period of 5.9 years. The project has an estimated 46-year mine life, with initial capital costs of $1.17 billion and an additional $658 million in expansion capital planned for year five.
Average annual production over the first 21 years is projected at 41.6 million pounds of copper, 30.5 million pounds of molybdenum, and 1.36 million ounces of silver. The updated PEA incorporates a smaller initial processing plant, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) sensor-based ore sorting, and a revised mine plan designed to access higher-grade material earlier, reducing upfront capital requirements and accelerating payback. At Oct. 12, 2026, spot metal prices, the study estimates an after-tax NPV of $6.24 billion, an IRR of 38.4%, and a payback period of 3.4 years.
Idaho Copper plans to advance pilot-scale testing to validate its ore-sorting assumptions and conduct the bulk of its prefeasibility study work in 2027, targeting completion in 2028. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/cVHue.
The CuMo project is one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the US, and the company believes it is among the largest undeveloped molybdenum deposits in the world. CuMo contains significant amounts of silver, rhenium, and tungsten – all considered critical or of strategic importance. The project comprises approximately 2,640 acres and consists of 126 federal unpatented lode mining claims and 6 patented mining claims. To learn more, please visit www.idaho-copper.com.
This announcement matters because it underscores the potential of a major domestic source of critical minerals at a time when supply chains for copper, molybdenum, and other strategic materials are under scrutiny. The updated PEA's focus on reducing initial capital and accelerating payback could improve project economics and attract investor interest. With a 46-year mine life and significant production volumes, the CuMo project could become a long-term contributor to US mineral security and the global energy transition, which relies heavily on copper for electrification and molybdenum for high-strength alloys.
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