Cyprium Metals has obtained crucial environmental and operational approvals to advance the phased redevelopment of its Nifty Copper Complex, setting the stage for a near-term production restart.
- All permits secured for Phase 1 cathode plant refurbishment
- Works approval extended to August 2027
- Mine closure plan submission deadline extended to April 2026
- Ministerial Consent pending as final approval step
- Approvals align with staged redevelopment and reduce project risk
Approvals Unlock Phase 1 Restart
Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX, CYM) has announced a significant regulatory milestone in its plan to restart the Nifty Copper Complex, located in Western Australia's Paterson region. The company has secured a suite of amendments and extensions to key environmental and operational approvals, enabling it to proceed confidently with the first phase of redevelopment focused on refurbishing the cathode plant.
The recently amended Works Approval (W6771/2022/1) now extends through to August 2027, covering critical activities such as remediation of heap leach facilities, refurbishment of the SX-EW plant, and construction of supporting infrastructure. This extension provides Cyprium with the regulatory certainty needed to execute its near-term operational plans without immediate renewal concerns.
Strategic Alignment with Regulatory Bodies
Executive Chair Matt Fifield emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with Western Australian regulators, including DEMIRS, DWER, and JTSI. These collaborations have facilitated the alignment of environmental approvals with Cyprium’s forward work plans, reducing project risk and enabling a streamlined path to production.
In addition to the works approval, the company holds an Environmental Licence permitting metallic ore production up to 3 million tonnes per year, with planned administrative updates to accommodate increased processing volumes. The Mining Proposal for the initial surface mine restart has also been approved, with an extended deadline for the Mine Closure Plan submission now set for April 2026, aligning with updated state guidelines.
Next Steps and Market Implications
While Cyprium now holds all necessary permits for Phase 1 activities, the final regulatory hurdle remains the receipt of Ministerial Consent to proceed. The company reports this process is well advanced and timed to coincide with the completion of its Phase 1 feasibility study and broader staged redevelopment strategy.
With these approvals in place, Cyprium is positioned to fast-track the restart of the Nifty Copper Complex, leveraging existing infrastructure and a substantial resource base. This progress not only reduces project risk but also signals potential near-term contributions to copper supply from a tier-one Australian asset.
Bottom Line?
Cyprium’s regulatory progress sets the stage for a swift Nifty restart, but Ministerial Consent remains the pivotal next step.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Ministerial Consent be granted, and under what conditions?
- How will the phased redevelopment impact copper production timelines and volumes?
- What are the potential risks if environmental or operational approvals face future changes?