JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed emerging copper producer CuDeco’s flagship Rocklands operation, in Cloncurry, Queensland, is steadily advancing towards first concentrate production, with the company’s announcement, on Thursday, that it was commencing with ore feeding into the ball mill, with a 60% load.

This followed the successful full commissioning of the crushing circuit, with all other circuits operating satisfactorily.

“Today’s milestone is another important step in the completion of this valuable new project for North Queensland, which is now operating around the clock in two 12-hour shifts a day,” said CuDeco MD Dr Dianmin Chen.

CuDeco noted that the load on the ball mill was the most important step in allowing primary ore to the flotation circuit, to achieve production of the first sulphide concentrates in July, with the first shipment of sulphide concentrate still scheduled for late September, or the first half of October.

The ball mill production would be gradually ramped up to 100% over the coming weeks, said the company.

The production milestones had been supported by the recent signing of a term sheet for the offtake of all native copper from Rocklands to major shareholder China Oceanwide International Investment, providing added financial security for the project.

While the first native copper produced from the Jig circuit was expected to happen this month, the shipment was deferred to the second half of July, while the formal agreement with China Oceanwide was finalised.

Chen noted that the Queensland State Development Minister and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham recently visited the Rocklands operation, highlighting the important government support for the project.

“We are determined to complete the plant commissioning and to ramp up production at Rocklands as safely and quickly as possible, to ensure rapid delivery of its economic benefits to all stakeholders,” concluded Chen.