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First copper concentrate produced at Botswana mine

Image shows melter copper

Photo by Bloomberg

9th June 2023

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

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Copper miner Sandfire Resources has produced its first copper concentrate from the Motheo mine, in Botswana.

The company has told shareholders that construction of the mine was nearing completion, with equipment commissioning activities over 92% complete for the initial 3.2-million-tonne-a-year processing capacity.

Openpit mining at the T3 pit is proceeding on schedule, with more than 270 000 t of ore at 1.1% copper, and 130 000 t grading around 0.7% copper having been stocked on the run-of-mine pad at the end of April.

The first concentrate production comes with the introduction of ore to the semi-autogenous grinding mill.

“Achieving these important milestones is an outstanding result for Sandfire,” said MD and CEO Brendan Harris.

“First concentrate production at our newest mine signals the start of our ramp-up towards the initial 3.2-million-tonne-a-year capacity, which we expect to achieve on a sustainable basis during the September quarter of 2024. With the approval of the A4 Project environmental and social impact assessment paving the way for the grant of the A4 Pit mining licence, our attention now turns to the delivery of the rapid, low-cost expansion from 3.2-million tonnes to 5.2-million tonnes a year by early 2024.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Magazine Managing Editor

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