Australia-based precious and base metals explorer Alara Resources has successfully started concentrate production at its one-million-tonne-a-year Al Wash-hi-Majaza copper/gold and copper concentrate plant, in Oman.
The mine, in which Alara owns 51%, will ramp up to full capacity over the next two to three months. The sale of the first shipment of about 1 000 t of copper concentrate to Trafigura is expected in April.
“The commencement of concentrate production is a momentous occasion for Alara and its shareholders. This represents the culmination of 12 years’ hard work, from project site identification through resource definition, detailed engineering studies, debt and equity financing and the construction phase just completed,” said MD Atmavireshwar Sthapak.
“This great achievement would not have been possible without the enormous efforts of Alara’s joint venture partners in AHRL – Omaniconglomerates Al Naba Services and Al Tasnim Enterprises – for which we are extremely grateful. Their local experience, networks and contracting capabilities made an invaluable contribution to bringing this mine to production.”
Alara’s aim is to become a midtier mining production company, involving a shift of focus to developing existing exploration projects and new acquisitions.