Calculating IRR and Investment Viability Discussion

The cash inflows are projected to grow at 8% per year, starting from $575,000 at the end of the first year.
Year 2 cash inflow = $575,000 * (1 + 8%) = $575,000 * 1.08 = $621,000
Year 3 cash inflow = $621,000 * 1.08 = $670,680
Year 4 cash inflow = $670,680 * 1.08 = $724,866.40
Year 5 cash inflow = $724,866.40 * 1.08 = $783,526.51
Year 6 cash inflow = $783,526.51 * 1.08 = $846,745.74
Year 7 cash inflow = $846,745.74 * 1.08 = $914,622.80
Year 8 cash inflow = $914,622.80 * 1.08 = $987,275.34
Year 9 cash inflow = $987,275.34 * 1.08 = $1,064,834.37
Year 10 cash inflow = $1,064,834.37 * 1.08 = $1,147,448.39

Initial Investment = -$3,400,000
Cash inflow Year 1 = $575,000
Cash inflow Year 2 = $621,000
Cash inflow Year 3 = $670,680
…
Cash inflow Year 11 = $1,185,046.10
Abandonment cost = -$450,000

We need to solve for IRR such that NPV = 0. The ultimate goal of IRR is to identify the rate of discount, which makes the present value of the sum of annual nominal cash inflows equal to the initial net cash outlay for the investment (Fernando,2023).

NPV = (Year 1 cash inflow) + (Year 2 cash inflow / (1 + r)^2) + … + (Year 10 cash inflow / (1 + r)^10) – Abandonment cost / (1 + r)^11 – Initial investment cost

NPV = $575,000 + $621,000 / (1 + r)^2 + … + $1,147,448.39 / (1 + r)^10 – $450,000 / (1 + r)^11 – $3,400,000

We can use numerical methods or financial calculators to find the IRR. For simplicity, I’ll use an online calculator, and the IRR is approximately 13.63%.

Now, let’s determine if the mine should be opened based on the required return of 13%:

Since the IRR (13.63%) is higher than the required return of 13%, it means that the project is expected to provide a return higher than the company’s required rate of return. Therefore, the mine should be opened as it represents a viable investment opportunity for the Utah Mining Corporation.

Reference:
Fernando, J. (2023b, July 6). Internal Rate of Return (IRR) rule: Definition and example. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/irr.asp