Operations ramp up at Cloncurry

True North Copper (TNC) continues to make significant strides at its Cloncurry copper project (CCP) in Queensland.

Operations are ramping up according to plan, positioning the company to become Australia’s next copper producer and critical metals supplier by the first quarter of 2025, with sulphide processing expected to commence in the new year.

Since mining activities began at the Wallace North deposit in July, TNC has mined approximately 223,000 bank cubic metres of overburden and 22,000 tonnes of oxide ore, which has been placed on the run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile.

To date, 8300 tonnes of oxide ore have been crushed and stacked on the leach pad at the Great Australia Mine, with 2400 tonnes available for TNC in their crushing campaign.

Irrigation of the ore has begun which will contribute to improved copper production from the solvent extraction plant.

“TNC continues to make positive progress towards its goal of becoming an Australian copper producer and critical minerals supplier at the CCP,” True North Copper managing director Bevan Jones said.

“Since our previous update in September, operations including our mining activities at Wallace North to the initial crushing and stacking activities at our Cloncurry operations hub have transitioned seamlessly.”

The company expects toll milling of sulphide ore to begin in the first quarter of 2025, under a binding agreement with Glencore for the toll treatment of up to one million tonnes of ore annually.

The Cloncurry copper project is estimated to generate free cashflow of approximately $200 million over its initial 4.6-year mine life, based on current copper prices.

Recruitment efforts are underway to support the growing operations, with 28 new employees expected to join TNC by mid-November.

“We have been buoyed by the response to our recruitment campaign in Queensland to build our team at CCP,” Jones said. “Our recruitment drive is continuing as we aim to establish a workforce of 100 people at CCP by December.”