Mining Intelligence and News
Australia

Anthill Mine

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Copper
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Production Start... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe Company is actively mining its Anthill copper project. In 2023, Austral focused on reaching its objective of producing LME Grade A copper cathode through its wholly-owned Heap Leach and SXEW processing facility, while also aiming to extend the Company’s mine life through an intensive exploration program.

Throughout 2023, Austral remained focused on its target to produce a total of 40,000 tonnes of copper cathode from its flagship Anthill project. The operation faced a series of challenges over the year, including extraordinary weather conditions marked by significant rainfall and bushfires. Despite these adversities, production persevered, showcasing the Company’s robust risk management framework and effective emergency response strategies.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Austral Resources Australia Ltd. 100 % Indirect
The Anthill oxide copper mine is owned by Austral Resources.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Breccia pipe / Stockwork

Summary:

The mineral resources comprise secondary oxide copper mineralisation that form as sub-horizontal blankets in the ferruginous saprolite horizon, immediately above underlying copper sulphide mineralisation which is structurally controlled. Oxide copper mineralisation occurs predominantly in the form of malachite, with minor amounts of azurite, chrysocolla, cuprite, and rare native copper. The primary sulphide mineralisation occurs as chalcopyrite and pyrite, with cuprite and chalcocite occurring in the transitional zone between the oxide and sulphide zones.

The Anthill deposit is hosted predominantly within the Esperanza Formation. The host lithology of the orebody is inferred to be dolomitic siltstones; however, the strong weathering and oxidation process has resulted in the near complete loss of dolomite from the rock in the upper oxide zone. The mineralisation appears to be controlled by a combination of steep structural elements and broad dome features. The Anthill transition is commonly hosted in structurally controlled silicified zones as well as in silicified sedimentary breccia in dolomite, which appear to have been a preferred permeability horizon for mineralising fluids.

Anthill deposit dimensions
Approximately 1,700 m x 770 m and ranges in thickness from less than 10 m to approximately 40 m; mineralisation is subdivided into three areas: Anthill East, Anthill West, and Anthill Link (low-grade).

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

The production volume for 2022 is shown in terms of sales.
CommodityUnits20232022
Copper M lbs  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
All production numbers are expressed as cathode.

Operational metrics

Metrics20232022
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Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Financials

Units20232022
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Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Sep 10, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Sep 10, 2021
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 7, 2024

Aerial view:

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