Orion Minerals has been granted the integrated water use licence by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) for its Okiep copper project (OCP) located in the Nama-Khoi District, one of the most arid and water-sensitive regions in South Africa.
The integrated water use licence approval marks the final major permitting milestone in progressing OCP to construction and production.
“The granting of this integrated water use licence is a fantastic milestone for Orion, as it marks the culmination of almost four years of intensive environmental studies and innovative engineering and water management planning for the Okiep copper project,” said Orion chief executive Errol Smart.
The company said it plans to employ proven mining and processing methods in the form of bulk-mechanised-mining, crushing, milling and flotation for the recovery of a copper concentrate for sale.
It also intends to utilise ore-sorting, a modern x-ray-refraction (XRF) sensing process to discard waste rock before milling and flotation, which will help minimise the generation of tailings material, resulting in savings in energy and water consumption.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief, Rough&Polished
