JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Emerging copper producer CuDeco’s flagship Rocklands operation, in Cloncurry, Queensland, has produced its first concentrate, another milestone as the company transitioned from development to production.
On Sunday, ore slurry from the ball mill was put through the flotation circuit, thickener and then the filter plant.
The company reported on Monday that the successful completion of these tests had demonstrated that all circuits were working properly, following June’s successful production of the first native copper from the Jig circuit.
CuDeco now planned to gradually increase the mill feed and further enhance plant performance towards commercial production. The company said it was on target to achieve the first shipment of native copper in July and first shipment to the export market of sulphide concentrates in late September or the first half of October.
These production milestones have been backed by the signing of a term sheet for the offtake of all native copper from Rocklands to major shareholder China Oceanwide International Investment, providing financial security for the project.
“Today’s milestone is another important step for Rocklands as we build confidence in the successful completion of its construction and commissioning towards commercial production and delivery of near-term cash flow. It has been a great effort by operators, management staff and contractors and I congratulate all involved for this important achievement,” commented MD Dr Dianmin Chen.
The average life-of-mine production from the Rocklands project was expected to reach 18 347 t/y over an initial ten-year mine life.