Mt Kelly’s 45kt Residual Copper Could Boost Production via Hydro-Jex®
Austral Resources is set to unlock significant residual copper at its Mt Kelly site using Hydro-Jex®, a patented heap leach technology promising enhanced recovery without costly reprocessing.
- Approximately 45,000 tonnes of residual copper identified in Mt Kelly heap leach stockpiles
- Hydro-Jex® technology enables in-heap leaching beyond conventional surface methods
- Potential to boost copper recovery without heap remining or restacking
- Technology has over 20 years of proven global application
- Opportunity to extend value and improve efficiency of existing heap leach assets
Unlocking Hidden Copper at Mt Kelly
Austral Resources Australia Ltd (ASX, AR1) has announced a promising development at its Mt Kelly copper operation, revealing a substantial heap leach remine opportunity. The company’s recent Mineral Resource Estimate identified approximately 45,000 tonnes of residual copper metal still locked within the existing heap leach stockpiles. This discovery opens the door to recovering copper that conventional surface leaching methods have left behind.
Introducing Hydro-Jex®, A Proven Game-Changer
Central to Austral’s strategy is the adoption of Hydro-Jex®, a patented and trademarked technology developed by JEX Technologies Corporation, based in Nevada, USA. With over two decades of successful application worldwide, Hydro-Jex® enhances metal recovery by injecting leaching solutions directly inside the heaps rather than just on the surface. This approach accesses copper trapped deep within the heap, overcoming physical limitations that have historically hindered full extraction.
Efficiency Gains Without Major Disruption
One of the most compelling aspects of this technology is its ability to improve recovery rates without the need for costly and disruptive heap remining or restacking. By working within the existing heaps, Hydro-Jex® reduces environmental disturbance and capital expenditure, potentially accelerating the timeline to increased production. Austral’s chairman, David Newling, expressed enthusiasm about implementing this technology, highlighting its capacity to both enhance and speed up copper recovery.
Extending the Life and Value of Mt Kelly
The integration of Hydro-Jex® could significantly extend the economic life of the Mt Kelly heap leach assets. With an inferred mineral resource estimate of 22.6 million tonnes at 0.20% copper, the residual copper represents a valuable inventory that was previously considered unrecoverable. This development aligns with broader industry trends seeking to maximise resource utilisation and improve sustainability by extracting more value from existing operations.
Looking Ahead
While the announcement is promising, details on the implementation timeline, cost implications, and expected production uplift remain forthcoming. Investors and analysts will be watching closely as Austral moves to pilot and integrate Hydro-Jex® technology at Mt Kelly, potentially setting a new benchmark for heap leach copper recovery in Australia.
Bottom Line?
Austral’s embrace of Hydro-Jex® could redefine copper recovery at Mt Kelly, but the proof will be in the operational rollout.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the projected timelines and costs for full-scale Hydro-Jex® implementation at Mt Kelly?
- How much additional copper production can Austral realistically expect from this technology?
- Will Hydro-Jex® technology be adopted at other Austral sites or across the Australian copper sector?
