Motheo Copper commences open pit mining
Open pit mining has commenced at Motheo Copper Mine, as the project moves towards production, the developers, Sandfire Resources have announced.
“The start of open pit mining operations represents another important step on the road to production,” said Sandfire Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Karl Simich. Sandfire this week reported that its contracting partner at the Motheo Copper Mine, African Mining Services ( AMS), has started open pit mining operations at the T3 Open Pit ahead of schedule.
The company has highlighted that the first pre- strip material was mined at the T3 Open Pit deposit in late March, approximately one week ahead of schedule against the project execution plan, with mining currently making excellent progress. Simich said development at Motheo is proceeding on schedule and on budget, with first production expected in the first half of calendar year 2023. According to Simich, Motheo is expected to be a substantial new long- life copper mine and one of the few new copper mines under construction anywhere in the world. “It is expected to become the cornerstone of a long- term copper mining hub for Sandfire in the world- class Kalahari Copper Belt,” said Simich. Meanwhile, Sandfire has also made significant progress on infrastructure construction at the mine which include office building occupied, A3 Junction Road and primary crusher, SAG Mill, tails thickener and reclaim tunnel vault. In addition, construction of the 750- room mine village is advancing, with 160 rooms now occupied and also construction of the 132kV transmission power line advancing, with tower construction and assembly well underway. “We have been able to keep the project schedule on track and on budget despite the persistent labour and supply challenges being experienced across the global mining industry,” said Simich.
On the other hand, the company’s 5.2 Mtpa Expansion Case at Motheo is due for completion in June. “All the infrastructure currently under construction at Motheo is being built to support this proposed expanded capacity, supporting Sandfire’s plans for Motheo to become the heart of a major new processing hub in the Kalahari,” said Simich.