Copper Cathode producer Austral Resources Australia Ltd (ASX:AR1) is building momentum in its plan develop its new Anthill Mine in Queensland and ramping production to 10,000t of copper cathode by mid-2022.
Site activities are moving ahead strongly with an additional 23 personnel onsite bringing the total to 50 personnel to develop the Anthill Mine and prepare key equipment at the Mt Kelly processing plant.
Anthill Mine Development
Final approval to commence mining at Anthill was received on October 25, 2021. Plant and equipment are being mobilised to site with surface clearance works underway. The pit areas are being cleared with vegetation and topsoil stockpiled for mine rehabilitation prior to the commencement of pre-stripping.
Thiess is mobilising its fleet in November whilst clearing and site infrastructure is installed. Bulk overburden mining is planned to commence early January. The first planned blast of ironstone capping over the east pit is scheduled mid-November.
Mt Kelly processing plant refurbishment
The Mt Kelly heap leach and SX-EW processing facility is operational and continues producing copper cathode from a 2020 mining campaign. In preparation for Anthill Mine ore deliveries in Q2 next year, sections of the plant are being refurbished to ensure high plant availability to stack and process a planned 5,000 tpd of oxide ore.
The crushing, agglomeration and stacking system is being upgraded with new conveyor rubber, rollers and safety equipment. The SX-EW plant is being restocked for critical spares and being prepared to increase copper cathode production from the current 200t/month to 1,000t/month. The camp is being prepared to cater for 150 employees and contractors when in full production.
“It’s exciting to see that site works are proceeding as planned with bulk earthmoving to commence in January 2022 and first ore deliveries expected in April 2022. Both Anthill Mine development and Mt Kelly plant refurbishment are progressing to plan,” CEO, Steve Tambanis, said.
“The exploration team is being mobilised with a regional structural review and geophysical studies commencing in November 2021. Our goal is to achieve planned copper production of 10,000tpa by mid-2022. Exploration work is underway in preparation for planned drilling to commence Q2 2022. We look forward to updating investors as key milestones are achieved over the next few months.”
For further information please visit: https://www.australres.com/
