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Spain

MATSA Complex

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Overview

Mine TypeUnderground
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Lead
  • Silver
Mining Method
  • Sub-level open stoping (SLOS)
  • Transverse open stoping
  • Longhole open stoping
  • Longitudinal open stoping
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SnapshotMATSA is a substantial polymetallic mining operation with a central processing facility that sources ore from three underground mines, Aguas Teñidas and Magdalena in Almonaster la Real, and Sotiel in Calanas.

By signing an agreement with Endesa for the construction of a dedicated solar facility at MATSA Operations in Spain, Sandfire are securing already favourable position. This facility will supply around 25% of MATSA’s electricity requirements progressively from CY25, further reinforcing the already low carbon credentials of MATSA’s metal concentrates.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Sandfire Resources Ltd. 100 % Indirect
The MATSA Complex is wholly owned by Sandfire Resources Ltd. through its subsidiary Minas De Aguas Teñidas, S.A.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • VMS

Summary:

The MATSA deposits are all interpreted to be volcanogenic massive sulphide, or VMS, deposits, and sedimentary hosted massive sulphide deposits. VMS deposits are predominantly stratiform accumulations of sulphide minerals that precipitate from upwelling hydrothermal fluids associated with magmatism on or below the seafloor in a wide range of geological settings. SHMS deposits are similar to VMS deposits but are formed by fluid mixing in permeable sedimentary rocks and generally lack the abundance of volcanics/magmatism.

Aguas Teñidas and Magdalena mines are characterised as a bi-modal felsic VMS deposit based upon the mineralogy, geological setting and gemoetry/size.

Sotiel is characterised as a sedimentrary hosted massive sulphide deposit (SHMS)based upon the mineralogy, geological setting/size.

Dimensions
Polymetallic mineralisation in Aguas Teñidas mine is related to four tabular lens shaped bodies. Together Aguas Teñidas and Western Extension extend from approximately 270m to 890m below surface. Mineralisation extends for 3,000m along west-east strike, dipping 80° to the north. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 10m to 80m. Calañesa is a smaller tabular lens extending from approximately 100m below the surface. Mineralisation extends for 400m along westeast strike, dipping 60° to the south. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 1m to 4m. Castillejito is composed of two tabular lenses with synclinal shape extending from approximately 100m below the surface located to the North of Aguas Teñidas. Mineralisation extends for 750m along West-East strike, dipping 68° to the north. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 10m to 50m.

Polymetallic mineralisation in Magdalena mine is related to tabular lens shaped bodies extending from approximately 100m to 830m below surface. Mineralisation extends for 2,000m along West-East strike, dipping 70° to the north. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 3m to 70m.

Polymetallic mineralisation in Sotiel mine is related to four tabular lenses shaped bodies extending from approximately 200m to 400m below surface. Mineralisation extends discontinuously; Calabazar and Sotiel extend 600m along a 60°E strike, dipping 40° to the northwest. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 3m to 30m; Migollas extends 250m along 60°E strike, dipping 40° to the northwest. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 3m to 20m; Elvira extends 400m along 60°E strike, dipping 40° to the northwest. The cumulative total true width of mineralisation ranges from 10m to 40m.

Polymetallic mineralisation in Castillo-Buitrón is composed of two east-west oriented tabular lens outcropping to surface, dipping 70° to the north: Poniente and Levante. The former extends for 170m along strike and 300m in depth, with thickness from 5m to 20m, and the latter extends for 90m along strike and 200m in depth, with thickness ranging from 5m to 12m.

Polymetallic mineralisation in Concepción is related to east-west oriented tabular lens outcropping to the surface, dipping 67° to the north. It currently extends for 500m along strike and 700m in depth, with thickness ranging from 5m to 50m (higher thickness is reached in the upper part were two lenses run parallel).

Polymetallic mineralisation in Poderosa is composed of two parallel East-West oriented tabular lenses, recognisable from 200m below surface. Mineralisation extends for 250m along strike, 750m in depth with thickness ranging from 5m to 38m.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

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Processing

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Production

Production 5 months to June 2022(Sandfire Resources completes acquisition of MATSA mining complex effective February 1, 2022).
CommodityProductUnits20242023202220202019201820172016
Copper Concentrate kt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe297 334 346 295 
Copper Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Copper Payable metal t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Zinc Concentrate kt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe185 222 148 162 
Zinc Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Zinc Payable metal t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Lead Concentrate kt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe46 37 12 21 
Lead Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Lead Payable metal t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Silver Metal in concentrate koz  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Silver Payable metal koz  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Copper Equivalent Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Copper Equivalent Payable metal t  ....  Subscribe
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Operational metrics

Metrics20242023202220212020201920182017
Ore tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe4.3 M dmt4.23 M dmt
Tonnes processed  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe4,298,664 t4,337,000 t4,253,000 t
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe4.4 Mt
Waste  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Annual production capacity  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe500,000 t of concentrate
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Production Costs

CommodityUnits202420232022
Credits (by-product) Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
C1 cash costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
C1 cash costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
^ Guidance / Forecast.
** Net of By-Product.

Operating Costs

Currency20242023
Total operating costs ($/t milled) USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Financials

Units20242023202220202019
Capital expenditures (planned) M USD
Sustaining costs M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Capital expenditures M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Revenue M  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 474  EUR
After-tax Income M  ....  Subscribe 41  EUR
EBIT M  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
EBITDA M  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Operating Cash Flow M  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Heavy Mobile Equipment

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AV - Autonomous

Personnel

Mine Management

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EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
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Aerial view:

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