Copper 360 has delivered the first copper concentrate from the Northern Cape Province in 21 years, marking the start of a new era in copper production in South Africa.
Record concentrate grades of over 30% were produced during the commissioning of the MFP 2 (Modular Flotation Plant) at Nama Copper project that was recently acquired.
The plant produced 136 tonnes of concentrate over a commissioning period of three weeks.
Copper 360 said the plant is forecast to produce more than 1,000 tonnes of concentrate per month within three months.
Its second concentrate plant, MFP 1, is planned to start production at the end of July 2024, with a target capacity of 1,400 concentrate tonnes per month.
“Copper 360 is extremely proud of this achievement, heralding not only the first copper concentrate production from the area in 21 years but also because it marks the start of a new era of copper production in South Africa,” said company chief executive Jan Nelson.
“We have delivered on plan and at copper concentrate grades that are world-class. Copper 360 is also the only producer of copper cathode [in] the area. Copper 360 is South Africa’s only listed pure copper producer and has made history in terms of being the first major copper producer in the Namaqualand region.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
