Mining, exploration and processing briefs

Updates on the Eva copper project, Curragh coal operations, Big One copper exploration results and more in this week’s exploration, mining and processing briefs. Eva 'a key component' in copper company's growth plans Copper Mountain Mining is continuing to advance project financing for the Eva copper project in North West Queensland and says it is on track for completion in the fourth quarter of 2021. Basic engineering was progressing well, with a final construction estimate planned to be complete ahead of a final construction decision to be made by the end of this year, the company said. The update came in the company's latest quarterly report, where it described Eva as 'a key component in achieving our vision of tripling 2020 production within the next five years'. The company owns the Copper Mountain mine in Canada, which produced produced 25.5 million pounds of copper, 7,627 ounces of gold, and 147,973 ounces of silver in the last three months. Procurement review at Coronado's Curragh coal mine Coronado says its Curragh mine, near Blackwater, is continuing to look into operational efficiencies and opportunities to reduce costs, including a procurement review. The mine was also continuing with initiatives on non-core infrastructureasset sales, the company said. In its latest quarterly report, Coronado reported ROM production of 3.6 Mt for the June quarter at Curragh - in line with the previous quarter. The realised average metallurgical coal price for Australia was $105.2 per tonne (FOB) for the June quarter. This was 13 per cent higher than the previous quarter due to increases inthe Aus PLV HCC index price. Up to 9.19 per cent copper in Big One deposit assays Castillo Copper reports results of up to 9.19 per cent copper in assays from drilling at its Big One deposit in North-West Queensland. The intercepts clearly extended known mineralisation at the site, the company said. “It is encouraging there is a strong correlation between visual mineralisation andthe assays, as the board optimistically looks forward to receiving further results," managing director Simon Paull said. "Otherwise, the progress of the drilling campaign is taking shape, especially verification the underlying copper system at the Big One depositis likely to be larger than our geology team’s initial expectations.” Assay results included 9m at 1.42 per cent copper from 88m, including 4m at 3.06 per cent copper from 92m and 1m at 9.19 per cent copper from 92m. Hammer program confirms copper-gold mineralisation Assays have confirmed copper and gold mineralisation at Hammer Metals'Neptune prospect, within its Mount Isa project area. Results include 3m at 3.09 per cent copper and 1.4g/t gold from 198m. The company said it had also identified copper, gold and cobalt mineralisation at the Kings-Charlotte prospects in the Malbon region. Example of visible gold samples obtained from a vein at Kalman West. Significant results include 3m at 3.89 per cent copper and 0.56g/t gold from 18m, including 1m at 10.12 per cent copper and 1.52g/t gold. A rock chip sample from a quartz vein at the Hammer Metals-ownedKalman West prospect has assayed at 4.48 per cent gold. Managing director Daniel Thomas said Hammer would look to build upon these initial drill results at the Neptune and Kings-Charlotte prospects, with follow-up drilling to be undertaken in the second half of this year. "The Neptune area which is in the immediate vicinity of the Trafalgar trend is encouraging as Hammer looks to build upon our mineral inventory in the region," he said. "The exceptional rock chip gold result at Kalman West is a subtle reminder of the gold potential in the region.” Venus 1 pilot test confirms gas flows Pure Hydrogen says its technical team is very encouraged with the first stage of the pilot program at Project Venus, near Miles, with early gas breakout after only a few days. Gas flare at Venus 1 pilot well during pressure drawdown. This confirmed the very high gas saturations of the target coals, the company said. The next stage of the pilot will require improving the reach of the influx of water into the vertical well. Pure Hydrogen said engineering modelling of various methods designed to improve reach, integrating the results of the flow test to date, indicated that commercial gas flows could be achieved. "Pure Hydrogen is pleased with the progress to date on Venus 1 as the flow testing continues," managing director Scott Brown said. "The program is still in its early stages but the results are highly encouraging."

Mining, exploration and processing briefs

Industry Queensland

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