Proactive

Cyprium Metals Ltd (ASX:CYM, OTCQB:CYPMF) has begun acid commissioning of the existing heap leach pads at its Nifty Copper Complex in Western Australia, marking the first application of acid to the heaps since operations ceased in 2009.

The milestone advances the Phase 1 Cathode Restart Project, with the solvent extraction (SX) area substantially mechanically complete and the electrowinning (EW) plant preparing for installation of cathodes and anodes.

First copper cathode is expected in the fourth quarter during wet commissioning and ramp-up, following plant energisation.

Heap commissioning underway

Cyprium is introducing acid solution into the existing heaps ahead of ramping up leaching to provide copper-bearing solution to the SX-EW plant.

A previous 14-well direct injection leaching trial using water confirmed the heaps could accept injected solution at commercial flow rates of around 250 cubic metres per hour and above.

The trial also produced copper outflows at sufficient grade and volume to support SX-EW commissioning.

Following the trial, Cyprium expanded the wellfield from 14 wells to 98 production wells, providing access to around 1.7 million tonnes of material for future leaching operations.

Executive chair Matt Fifield described the restart of leaching as a major milestone.

“Applying acid solution to the existing heaps is a significant milestone for Cyprium – this is the first leach on these pads in nearly twenty years.”

Plant close to completion
The SX plant is substantially mechanically complete, with dry and water commissioning underway.

The EW plant has also reached substantial mechanical completion, with all major equipment delivered and installed. Remaining work includes cell-top furniture, stripping machine refurbishment, loading cathodes and anodes and completing electrical and instrumentation works.

Cyprium has completed installation of the rectifier and transformer, high-voltage cable runs and the high-voltage approval process.

All regulatory approvals required to support Phase 1 are in place, subject to successful completion of commissioning, while the project has recorded zero lost-time injuries since construction began.

Expansion pathway

Beyond the restart, Cyprium is evaluating an expansion of SX-EW capacity from the Phase 1 target of around 6,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode to about 20,000 tonnes per annum.

Planning and capital estimates are underway, with increased copper-in-leach potentially supplied by the existing heaps, surface oxide stockpiles and shallow oxide material from the open pit.

The company is also advancing drilling and mine planning on shallow oxide material at Nifty and expects updated Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves during the second half of 2026.

Read the full article here.