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Highlights
- Orion Minerals appoints new leadership and consultants for project feasibility.
- Key optimizations underway for Prieska Copper-Zinc Mine.
- Flat Mines Project feasibility on track for external review by year’s end.
Orion Minerals Ltd (ASX:ORN) has made significant strides in advancing its copper-zinc initiatives in South Africa, notably the Prieska Copper-Zinc Mine (PCZM) and Okiep Copper Project (OCP), located in the Northern Cape Province. The company has bolstered its project management by appointing industry veteran Nick Fouche as the director of the Prieska project and enlisting LMMS Consultants, a reputable firm in mine design and scheduling, to enhance the feasibility study for PCZM.
Leadership and Expertise Enhancements
Nick Fouche, a globally recognized mining executive with extensive experience, has joined Orion Minerals as project director for PCZM. Fouche brings valuable expertise, having previously led the development of South Africa’s Palabora Copper Mine and held senior roles in major mining companies. His appointment is expected to streamline the feasibility study process and advance PCZM towards the development phase, contributing to the execution of Orion’s strategic plans.
LMMS Consultants’ Role in Optimization
To further expedite the optimization of the PCZM feasibility study, Orion Minerals has engaged LMMS Consultants, known for their specialization in underground bulk mining. The LMMS team, including consultants Joe Luxford and Doug Syme, will focus on refining the mine design and scheduling to ensure maximized project outcomes. Their expertise is notable, as both consultants were integral to the Palabora Copper Mine Lift 2 project, the last major underground copper project developed in South Africa.
LMMS has initiated a three-month intensive program from October 2024, employing advanced tools and methodologies to optimize PCZM’s feasibility study. Their efforts are particularly concentrated on the Prieska Deeps orebody, which holds a mineral resource estimated at 29 million tonnes, with a composition of 1.2% copper and 3.8% zinc. The optimization aims to refine mine scheduling and layout, targeting a final feasibility study completion in early 2025.
Additional Upside Potential at Prieska
Orion’s recent internal review of the PCZM financial model, with insights from LMMS and Fouche, has highlighted additional potential upside at Prieska. The Prieska orebody features complex mineral geometry, with dip rotations of nearly 320 degrees and variable mineralized widths, ranging from 2 to 45 meters. This unique structure presents opportunities for optimization in mining methods and layout to boost ore recovery and long-term cash flow. Orion’s iterative optimization, supported by Mine Shape Optimiser (MSO) software, is expected to fine-tune development layouts and improve operational efficiency.
Progress on the Flat Mines Project
In addition to the PCZM advancements, Orion’s Okiep Copper Project is progressing on schedule. The feasibility study for the Flat Mines Project within OCP is set for an external review in mid-November 2024, with final results anticipated by the end of the year. This review will further define the project's financial and operational potential, marking another key milestone in Orion’s development efforts in South Africa.
Orion’s focus on expert leadership and detailed feasibility studies reflects a commitment to optimizing these mining projects to their fullest potential, setting the stage for impactful contributions to the South African mining industry.
