Since formation of the Alliance in October 20241 , the Companies have been collaborating to evaluate the viability of a multi-user facility for processing of copper-gold-critical mineral resources from the Companies tenure in the region.
Tennant Creek District showing the location of CuFe's, Tennant Minerals' and 100% Emmerson's Projects and area covered by Emmerson's Exploration JV (EEJV) with TCMG. Image Credit: CuFe Limited
The stated objectives of the Alliance includes, the joint evaluation by completion of a scoping study, to be followed by a prefeasibility study (PFS), of processing options including a multi-user facility based in the Tennant Creek region. The Alliance technical teams have been active, with the following activities underway and/or complete using a combination of in-house technical teams and external consultants.
The work streams include;
- Resource updates for:
- CUF- Orlando and Gecko deposits
- Initial mineralisation models of:
- Bluebird deposit (TMS)
- Hermitage and Jasper Hills deposits (ERM)
- Option analysis for process plant location
- Underground and open pit optimisations, mine design and scheduling
- Metallurgical test work review and modelling, process plant flow sheet design and sizing
- Logistical network evaluation and optimisation
- Operational and capital cost estimates
- Consolidation of shared resources across the assets to reduce both operational and capital costs
Current gold and copper prices, as well as rises in the price of the critical minerals including bismuth and cobalt, combined with global demand trends, strongly support the ongoing evaluation of a shared processing facility model. The "stronger together" concept behind the Alliance is expected to allow the re-establishment of copper mining and processing in the region. This will be of immediate benefit to the Alliance stakeholders, the Barkly region and the Northern Territory.
The Alliance is pleased to report that it has recently received a letter of support for its activities from the Mines Minister of the Northern Territory. The letter from Minister Maley indicates the Northern Territory Government's understanding of the potential of the project for delivering economic benefits to the region and to Australia.