MUSCAT: The commissioning of a concentrator plant at the heart of a major copper mineral processing project in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate has commenced, according to the promoters, Al Hadeetha Resources LLC.
The announcement marks the final milestone before the formal start of copper concentrate production initially destined for export under an eight-year long offtake arrangement.
Majority-owned by Alara Resources, an Australian-based mining exploration company, the Al Wash-hi Majaza project in Al Mudhaibi Wilayat is the first by an international mining firm to exploit copper and associated gold resources since the enactment of a revamped mining law in the country.
Commenting on the imminent startup of copper concentrate production, Atmavireshwar Sthapak, Managing Director – Al Hadeetha Resources, said “I am pleased to announce that construction of all elements of the production plant that are required to commence hot commissioning are complete. The project is on path to begin copper concentrate production shortly, with copper ore to be introduced into the commissioning process in the next week. This marks an exciting time for Alara, Al Hadeetha and all its partners. The Al Wash-hi Majaza project is transformational for our business and provides the base for sustainable growth in the Sultanate of Oman.”
As part of the hot commissioning process, crushed waste rock was introduced into the Semi-Autogenous Grinding Mill – the centerpiece of the 1 million tons per annum capacity copper concentrator plant – to assess its overall performance.
All plant and equipment is now functioning smoothly and the site team is focused on a safe, efficient and phased plant commissioning and ramp-up by introducing copper ore. The team expects to introduce copper ore into the hot commissioning process within 7-10 days,” the company added in a statement.
Significantly, the project is expected to be a game-changer in the new era of copper mines being developed in the Sultanate of Oman in response to the rapidly growing world demand for sustainable energy.
Company officials say the project is expected to benefit from copper price upside, with the sale of all production from the project for the first 8 years locked in, at a price based on market at the time of delivery.
Last July, Al Hadeetha Resources signed an exclusive offtake deal with Trafigura Pte Ltd, a market leader in the global commodities industry, covering the production of copper concentrate from the Wash-hi Majaza Copper-Gold Project.
Under the agreement, Trafigura will purchase the full output of copper concentrate from the project for eight years from commencement of production. Pricing is based on the official London Metal Exchange cash settlement quotation for Grade A copper at the time of delivery.
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