Name and Location
Tschudi copper project, Namibia.

Client
Weatherly International.

Project Description
A bankable feasibility study (BFS) on the Tschudi project has indicated a robust project. Tschudi has mineral resources of 50.1-million tonnes at 0.86% copper and a reserve of 22.7-million tonnes at 0.95% copper.

The BFS envisages an openpit mine and an estimated mining rate of 17-million tonnes a year.

The ore will be processed using solvent extraction electrowinning at a rate of 2-million to 2.6-million tonnes a year of ore.

The mine is expected to produce 17 000 t/y over an 11-year mine life.

Value
Initial capital required to develop the project is estimated at $81-million.

Duration
First copper production is expected to start in the second quarter of 2015.

Latest Developments
Weatherly reported in July that “excellent progress” had been made on development at the Tschudi copper project, which was about 57% complete.

The company reported that in the second quarter, ended June 30, the mining contractor, Basil Read, had been mobilised and waste stripping was expected to start ahead of schedule.

Backfilling of the heap leach was 55% complete, while pond excavations were 82% complete and civil works 53% complete. The civil construction of the 66 kV power yard was 95% complete and the control building was 75% complete.

In addition, the administration and plant offices had been erected and the contractor's workshop was under construction. Earthworks were progressing according to plan, with grubbing and the clearing of topsoil removal complete.

Weatherly also completed the recruitment to fill key managerial positions for the project, with the mining manager, processing manager and plant maintenance manager now all appointed.

Recruitment of the mining department's senior staff had also been completed, with the senior geologist, senior surveyor and senior mining engineer to start work in the next few weeks.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Basil Read Namibia (mining operations); B & E International North (crushing, agglomeration and stacking contract) and Logiman (engineering, procurement and construction).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Weatherly International, tel +44 207 917 2989, fax +44 207 439 0262 or email info@weatherlyplc.com.
Basil Read, tel +27 21 946 4664 or fax +27 21 946 4669.
B & E International North, tel +264 63 233 229.
Logiman, tel +27 11 011 9260 or email info@logiman.co.za.