First Copper Cathode Produced At Large Field In Kazakhstan

KAZ Minerals PLC has produced its first copper cathode from oxide ore at the Aktogay project in the East of Kazakhstan, the company said Dec.1

The SX/EW (Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning) plant is expected to swiftly reach an output level of 15,000 tons of copper cathode per annum.

The sulphide concentrator remains on track for commissioning in 2017, which will result in the Aktogay project delivering a combined production from sulphide and oxide ore of 105,000 tons per annum on average for the first 10 years.

“I am delighted to announce the first copper from our major growth projects with the commencement of cathode output from oxide ore at Aktogay,” Oleg Novachuk, chief executive, said.

“Our other major growth project, Bozshakol, will start production of copper in concentrate in the first quarter of 2016 and the main sulphide concentrator at Aktogay will be commissioned in 2017,” he said. “The completion of the Aktogay oxide project is an important step in delivering industry leading growth from our portfolio of large scale, low cost, open pit copper mines.”

KAZ Minerals PLC (“KAZ Minerals” or “the Group”) is a high growth copper company focused on large scale, low cost, open pit mining in Kazakhstan. It is a leading copper producer in Kazakhstan with five operating mines and four concentrators. In 2014, total copper cathode output from continuing operations was 84,000 tons.

The Group’s continuing operations also produced 121,000 tons of zinc in concentrate, 3.4 million ounces of silver and 35,000 ounces of gold in 2014.

The Group has two major copper projects under construction, Bozshakol and Aktogay, and a third, Koksay, at scoping stage. (Cihan/Trend az)