QMines Limited reports a significant increase in optimised open pit material at its Develin Creek project, confirming 930,000 tonnes at 1.73% copper equivalent from the Scorpion-Window deposit. Combined with Mt Chalmers and Mt Mackenzie, total optimised material rises to 13.6 million tonnes, advancing the company’s central Queensland copper-gold strategy.
- 930,000 tonnes @ 1.73% CuEq confirmed at Scorpion-Window deposit
- Total optimised open pit material across three projects now 13.6Mt, up 3.2Mt
- 98% of production target material classified as Indicated Resources
- Metallurgical testwork shows copper and zinc recoveries above 90%
- Mine design integration underway for updated Mt Chalmers Pre-Feasibility Study in H2 2026
Significant Resource Growth at Develin Creek
QMines Limited (ASX:QML) has announced a substantial increase in optimised open pit material at its Develin Creek project in central Queensland. The recent scoping study optimisation of the Scorpion-Window deposit confirms a production target of 930,000 tonnes grading 1.21% copper, 0.95% zinc, 0.2 grams per tonne gold, and 8.1 grams per tonne silver, translating to a copper equivalent grade of 1.73%. This grade notably surpasses that of the current Mt Chalmers resource, reinforcing Develin Creek’s strategic value.
The study, conducted by independent consultants Minecomp Pty Ltd, highlights that 98% of this production target material falls within the Indicated Resource category, providing a high level of geological confidence. This upgrade follows a March 2025 resource update that saw the Develin Creek Mineral Resource Estimate rise to 4.13 million tonnes at 1.01% copper and 1.16% zinc.
Regional Scale and Operational Flexibility
When combined with the Mt Chalmers and Mt Mackenzie projects, QMines’ total optimised open pit material now stands at 13.6 million tonnes; a 3.2 million tonne increase from the initial 10.4 million tonnes reported for Mt Chalmers alone. This expanded resource base provides the company with enhanced operational flexibility and the potential for a longer mine life than previously envisaged.
QMines Executive Chairman Andrew Sparke emphasised the significance of this milestone, stating that the Scorpion-Window optimisation is a key step toward delivering higher-grade feed to the proposed Mt Chalmers processing hub. He highlighted the broader vision of establishing a low-cost, long-life copper and gold producer in central Queensland, with multiple deposits yet to be optimised, underscoring the scale of the regional opportunity.
Encouraging Metallurgical Results
Complementing the resource growth, preliminary metallurgical testwork conducted by COMO Engineers and ALS laboratories demonstrated excellent recoveries, with copper and zinc recoveries exceeding 90%. The tests also confirmed the feasibility of producing saleable copper and zinc concentrates, as well as a high-grade pyrite concentrate, using the existing Mt Chalmers processing plant design parameters.
These metallurgical outcomes support the company’s plan to blend ore from Develin Creek with Mt Chalmers and Mt Mackenzie material, optimising processing efficiency and economics. Further metallurgical testwork is ongoing to refine processing routes ahead of the updated Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026.
Next Steps and Project Development
Mine design and planning are underway to integrate the Scorpion-Window deposit into the Mt Chalmers PFS update. Additional drilling continues at the Sulphide City deposit within Develin Creek, with assay results expected in the third quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, maiden drilling at Mt Mackenzie is planned to commence in October 2026, aiming to upgrade resources and support mine planning.
QMines is advancing multiple workstreams, including detailed mine designs, metallurgical testwork, and a combined scoping study to evaluate the integrated operation of Mt Chalmers, Develin Creek, and Mt Mackenzie. These efforts aim to enhance project definition, extend mine life, and optimise economic outcomes.
While no Ore Reserves have yet been declared and the production targets remain conceptual, the company’s methodical approach and robust data underpin a promising development pathway. The updated PFS will incorporate these new findings and provide a clearer economic assessment of the expanded project.
Bottom Line?
QMines’ expanded resource base and strong metallurgical results set the stage for a pivotal PFS update, potentially reshaping its central Queensland copper-gold ambitions.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling at Sulphide City impact resource confidence and mine planning?
- What are the expected capital costs and financial metrics in the updated Mt Chalmers PFS?
- How will metallurgical blending of multiple deposits influence processing efficiency and concentrate quality?