Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Underground |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
- Bench & Fill
- Longhole open stoping
- Avoca
|
Production Start | ...  |
Mine Life | 2024 |
North Queensland Copper Operations is comprised of the Mt Colin copper mine, the Barbara copper/gold project and a prospective tenement package in the Mount Isa/Cloncurry region. It was acquired by Aeris Resources in July 2022.
Mt Colin operated originally as an open-cut mine and then transitioned to underground operations in 2019.
With production at Mt Colin due to be complete in FY2024. Mt Colin employs long hole open stoping methods with run of mine ore crushed on site before being transported by road train to existing processing facilities in the region for toll treatment. The copper-gold concentrate produced is smelted in Mount Isa before being railed to the Port of Townsville for export. |
Source:
p. 30
The North Queensland Copper Operations were acquired in July 2022 through the acquisition of Round Oak Minerals Limited.
Contractors
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Summary:
North Queensland Operations includes three deposits, Mt Colin, Barbara and Lillymay.
The deposit is considered an ISCG (iron sulphide copper gold) classification.
Mt Colin
The deposit strikes approximately 295o (MGA), and dips approximately 75o NNE. It is hosted by metasomatised calc-silicates of the Corella Formation (1750-1738Ma), at surface, and by the Wonga-suite Burstall Granite (1745-1726Ma) at depth.
Mineralisation principally controlled and essentially contained within the WNW-ESE striking planar Mt Colin fault. The broad-scale geology appears relatively simple and straightforward.
The mineralised zone is dominated by pyrrhotite gangue to the east, and carbonate dominated gangue to the west.
Known extent of +1.5% Cu mineralisation is approximately 400m in strike length, 500m down-dip, and up to ~10m in true width. The Mineral Resource extends to these limits.
Barbara
The deposit can be broken into main areas North, Central and South. Southern Lode of Barbara mineralization (+0.5% Cu) extends for approximately 230m in strike length (local N-S), averaging approximately 15m in true width (between 1m to >25m). As modelled it extends at least 580m down-plunge (550m below surface). The Mid and Northern Lodes average 3-5m in width over a combined strike length of 400m and to 180m below surface.
Lillymay
The Inferred Resource outcrops at surface and has been defined over a strike length of 400m, and down-dip for 140m. The larger E Lode is approximately 250m in strike ........

Mining Methods
- Bench & Fill
- Longhole open stoping
- Avoca
Summary:
A mining method at Mt Colin review and redesign of the LOM was completed in June 2022. This included development design, stope access and mining method application.
Mine type: Underground long hole open stoping
The mining method at Mt Colin is a combination of centre out bench and fill stoping and Avoca bench stoping, using alternating accesses. The mining methods have not changed since the previous estimate.
Sub level intervals are 20m above 1300 Level and 25m below 1300 Level at Mount Colin. This is based on appropriate method for control of dilution, reduction of pillars and ore loss, ground control, safety and regional stability.
A minimum stoping width of 3m has been used.
Practical designs have been included for ventilation, power, pumping and drainage as well as second means of egress.
The majority of the stopes will be filled using rock fill to improve stope stability and increase ore recovery.
The Barbara project is a former open-cut copper and gold mine. The site operated from 2019 to 2020 before being placed into care and maintenance. A significant copper-gold resource remains below the pit.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:

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Reserves at December 31, 2022:
North Queensland Operation Mineral Resource figures are reported at a AUD$100 NSR value on a block by block basis.
The estimation of the Ore reserve is based on the cut-off grades applied:
-Fully costed stoping $139/t;
-Development $107/t.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
Proven
|
100 kt
|
Copper
|
2.8 %
|
3 kt
|
Proven
|
100 kt
|
Gold
|
0.6 g/t
|
2 koz
|
Probable
|
290 kt
|
Copper
|
2.3 %
|
7 kt
|
Probable
|
290 kt
|
Gold
|
0.4 g/t
|
3 koz
|
Proven & Probable
|
390 kt
|
Copper
|
2.4 %
|
9 kt
|
Proven & Probable
|
390 kt
|
Gold
|
0.4 g/t
|
5 koz
|
Total Resource
|
3,060 kt
|
Copper
|
2.3 %
|
72 kt
|
Total Resource
|
3,060 kt
|
Gold
|
0.3 g/t
|
26 koz
|
Total Resource
|
3,060 kt
|
Silver
|
2 g/t
|
200 koz
|
Commodity Production Costs:
| Commodity | Units | 2023 |
All-in sustaining costs (AISC)
|
Copper
|
AUD
|
......
|
All-in costs
|
Copper
|
AUD
|
......
|
† Net of By-Product.
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Financials:
| Units | 2023 |
Sustaining costs
|
M AUD
| ......  |
Revenue
|
M AUD
| ......  |
EBITDA
|
M AUD
| ......  |
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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