Aim-listed Jubilee Metals has resumed run-of-mine (RoM) deliveries to Sable refinery, where refining activities have restarted following the successful expansion of the Molefe mine Pit 2 as part of the pre-stripping under the updated mine plan to combine pits 2 and 3.

“The recommencement of RoM deliveries from Molefe mine to the Sable refinery marks a significant milestone in the continued expansion of Jubilee’s Zambia copper strategy and demonstrates the rapid progress being achieved at Molefe mine under the updated mine plan,” CEO Leon Coetzer says in an update to shareholders.

The mine represents the first implementation of Jubilee’s scalable mine-to-processing strategy in Zambia.

The company’s Pillar 2 model (integrated mine-to-metals business: Sable refinery and mining operations) is based on mining while simultaneously exploring and expanding the resource base, aimed at creating a repeatable hub-and-spoke development model designed for replication across additional copper opportunities in the region.

The delivery of high-grade RoM to the Sable refinery increases to a targeted 6 000 t a month for June, stepping up to 8 500 t a month by August to reach 10 000 t a month by October, which equates to more than a 100% increase in RoM deliveries to Sable.

Combined mined copper reef is set to reach 60 000 t a quarter post completion of the combination of pits 2 and 3 at an average stripping ratio of 6:1.

The next development phase will focus on on-site ore sorting and processing to support better segregation of high-grade ore, with improved copper recovery and overall project economics; and resource definition drilling activities expanding across the greater Molefe district and additional exploration properties.

A Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource is expected following completion of the Phase 2 drilling programme, currently targeted for the fourth quarter of this calendar year, subject to the timely receipt of assay results.

“Molefe mine is evolving into a cornerstone asset within our integrated mine-to-metals platform, with the operation on track to achieve a meaningful step-up in production over the coming months. The integration of pits 2 and 3, together with the ongoing pre-strip programme, positions Molefe mine to support sustained growth while enhancing feed flexibility to the Sable refinery.

“Importantly, Molefe mine represents the first implementation of Jubilee’s scalable copper growth model in Zambia. Our strategy is to mine while we explore, expanding both production and the resource base simultaneously.

“Through the addition of on-site ore sorting, future processing capabilities and district-wide resource expansion, we are establishing a blueprint that we believe can be replicated across multiple copper opportunities within the region,” Coetzer avers.