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LISTED copper miner CuDeco (ASX:CDU) has taken a major step in the advancement of its first concentrate production at its Rocklands project.
The company has announced the commencement of ore feeding into the ball mill with a 60 per cent load, claiming this is "the most important step" in allowing primary ore to the flotation circuit to achieve production of the first sulphide concentrates expected this month.
The ball mill production will be ramped up to 100 per cent over the coming weeks, while the first shipment of sulphide concentrate is still on track to be delivered in September or October.
This news comes just weeks after CuDeco announced it had received a significant boost by one of its major shareholders, who signed a deal for the offtake of all native copper.
The term sheet between the Gold Coast-based miner and China Oceanwide International Investment Co had a payable value of no less than 96.5 per cent of contained copper at Cloncurry.
CuDeco managing director Dianmin Chen says the company is determined to continue ramping up the production at Rocklands as safely and quickly as possible, to ensure rapid delivery of its economic benefits to shareholders.
"Today's milestone is another important step in the completion of this valuable new project for North Queensland, which is now operating around the clock in two 12 hour shifts per day," says Chen.
"It is an exciting time for all involved to expect the first concentrate produced from Rocklands."
Recently the Queensland Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines visited the Rocklands site, which CuDeco says highlights the important government support for the project.
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