Cyprium Metals has identified significant oxide copper mineralisation across a large section of the Nifty waste dump, potentially adding a low-cost feed source for its heap leach and SXEW operations as it advances the copper complex restart.
- Extensive oxide copper mineralisation over 750m x 250m zone
- Multiple drill intercepts exceeding 1% copper grade
- Waste dump mineralisation could supply low-cost feed for heap leach and SXEW
- Further drilling and metallurgical testing planned to define resource
- Supports phased restart and potential SXEW capacity expansion
Significant Copper Grades Found in Historical Waste Dump
Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) has revealed extensive copper mineralisation within the Nifty waste dump, a site previously considered low grade or waste during mining operations in the 1990s. Recent reverse circulation drilling has delineated a mineralised zone approximately 750 metres long and 250 metres wide, with multiple high-grade intercepts, including 9 metres at 1.00% copper and 4 metres at 1.83% copper from surface. These results suggest the waste dump holds more economic potential than earlier assessments indicated.
Potential Low-Cost Feed for Heap Leach and SXEW Operations
The oxide copper mineralisation is located above ground and roughly 1.2 kilometres from existing heap leach pads, accessible via established haul roads. This proximity positions the waste dump as a promising, low-cost feed source for Cyprium’s refurbished heap leach and solvent extraction electrowinning (SXEW) plant. The company is currently advancing a phased restart of the Nifty Copper Complex, targeting an initial cathode production capacity of around 6,000 tonnes per annum.
Drilling Program and Next Steps
The drilling program comprised 133 holes for a total of 2,697 metres, conducted on a 40 by 40-metre grid with infill to 20 by 20 metres in the central area. Additionally, 38 scout holes along haul roads returned encouraging mineralisation requiring follow-up. Cyprium plans further drilling to fully define and infill the mineralised zone, alongside metallurgical test work focusing on ore sorting and acid leachability to assess processing viability. An external consultant will be engaged to prepare a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the waste dump.
Strategic Implications for Nifty Restart and Expansion
Cyprium’s Executive Chairman Matt Fifield highlighted the significance of re-evaluating legacy waste material with modern market conditions and technology, noting the waste dump’s copper grades compare favourably with the company’s open pit reserves. The discovery supports Cyprium’s broader strategy to expand cathode production by leveraging existing infrastructure, including potential SXEW plant capacity expansions. The company is refurbishing the “B Train” of the SXEW plant and considering upgrades to the older “A Train” to increase throughput.
This development aligns with Cyprium’s ongoing efforts to fast-track the Nifty restart, which recently reached operational milestones such as the first sulphuric acid delivery in two decades and commissioning progress on heap leach and electrowinning systems. The waste dump mineralisation offers a tangible near-term growth opportunity that could supplement feedstock and accelerate production ramp-up.
Bottom Line?
Cyprium’s discovery in the Nifty waste dump could reshape its feed strategy, but the economic viability hinges on upcoming metallurgical results and resource definition.
Questions in the middle?
- How will metallurgical test results influence the processing strategy for waste dump mineralisation?
- What timeline is expected for the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and its impact on project financing?
- Could the waste dump mineralisation materially extend the life or scale of the Nifty Copper Complex restart?