JSE and Australia-listed miner Orion Minerals has appointed Nick Fouche as project director to manage the completion of its flagship Prieska Copper-Zinc Project (PCZM) feasibility study and to oversee project execution.
“Nick was project director for the feasibility study and execution of the Palabora underground mining project and has unique experience that is applicable to Orion's underground copper mining projects,” Orion CEO Errol Smart said in a statement on Tuesday.
“His vast global experience includes roles with ERO Copper, South32 and Rio Tinto as General Manager Growth. Nick is a fantastic addition to the Orion team, as we move towards the development phase at Prieska,” he said.
Orion also announced it had secured the services of LMMS Consultants, the same expert mining team that contributed to the success of the Palabora Copper Mine Lift 2 development project, the last big underground copper mine developed in SA.
“LMMS are recognised internationally for their specialist expertise in underground bulk mining applications and consult on high-profile large mining project development optimisations for major mining houses such as BHP, Rio Tinto and South32, as well as for several junior mining companies,” Smart said.
Smart said a recent review of the Prieska financial model with input from LMMS and Fouche had highlighted the potential to unlock additional upside at Prieska by further optimising mine design and scheduling.
“When building large, long-life mines with large specialist mining fleets, getting the best combination of mining methods and primary development layouts is critical to maximise long-term project execution and financial returns. In the case of PCZM, unlocking the potential upside from additional optimisation studies outweighs the earlier completion of a feasibility study,” he said.
At the New Okiep Mining project, the first draft of the Flat Mines Feasibility Study was reviewed by The Minerals Corporation (TMC), which has been appointed as the debt financiers' independent experts, in July 2023.
TMC recommended some additional work requiring confirmation drilling.
The revised Flat Mines feasibility study was progressing well after the successful completion of an 11-hole, 5,800m confirmation drilling programme that was executed and reported between February and September, Smart said.
The Flat Mines feasibility study is expected to be released in December.
Both projects are located in the Northern Cape. Orion wants the Okiep project to become its second base-metal production hub in the Northern Cape, alongside Prieska Copper-Zinc Mine.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.