The company says its due diligence has highlighted the potentially superior returns achievable through implementing this strategy, while the use of battery electric vehicles will also be safer for employees, reducing risk of injury and physical stressors, such as vibration and noise.

"McIlvenna Bay will be a mine for the future, designed to be carbon neutral from day one of production," said Foran Mining executive chair Dan Myerson.

"With this in mind, the appointment of these world-class environmental and engineering specialists reflects our ambition to develop a technically and economically compelling solution to the environmental and social challenges which have been traditionally associated with the sector."

The feasibility team includes Stantec, Knight Piesold, Halyard, Micon International, Base Metallurgical Laboratories, Canada North Environmental Services and Synergy Enterprises.

A March 2020 prefeasibility study outlined average annual production of 89.2 million pounds of zinc, 27.9Mlb of copper, 17,312 ounces of gold and 492,667oz silver from a nine-year underground mine following an initial capital investment of C$261 million. Ore would be hauled to surface using battery electric vehicles.

Foran commenced its largest drill programme ever in January with more than 30,000m of infill and expansion drilling planned to maximise the conversion of inferred resource to indicated resources for subsequent inclusion in reserves.

Drilling results released in March included highlights such as 8.74m grading 3.53% copper equivalent in massive sulphide.