Tanzania-focused miner Marula Mining says its activities on site at the Kinusi copper project are progressing well, ahead of mining activity, which is planned to start by June 30.

Mining activity will initially comprise small-scale shallow copper mining, as part of Phase 1. 

Marula holds a 75% commercial interest in Kinusi through an agreement with local miner Takela Mining Tanzania, as of April 12.

The company has conducted several successful site visits during May, including mineral processing consultants Southern Metal Processing, which will help finalise plans for the installation of processing plant facilities at Kinusi.

Marula confirms the final design work and detailed costings of this processing plant equipment is ongoing, with visits, inspection and selection of crushing and associated processing units currently under way.

This while additional mining equipment is being sourced in South Africa and is planned to be delivered to the Kinusi site in due course in line with on-site development work.

The company also continues with metallurgical testwork and process optimisation work. Samples have been delivered to SGS Laboratories in Tanzania for assay and metallurgical testing, with results expected by the end of June.  

Marula plans on undertaking, through geological consultants Geofields Tanzania, a diamond drilling programme, comprising holes to depths of 100 m to 150 m.

The drill programme will provide a better understanding of the structural controls to high-grade copper mineralisation and determine the depth expansions of the shallow mineralisation that has been observed.

Marula has also sent sample material from Kinusi to two testing facilities on behalf of four shortlisted global trading community groups, as part of the process to finalise initial offtake terms and conditions.

“We are pleased with the progress that has been made at the Kinusi project. My site visit last week, once again, confirmed the potential that I believe this project holds. Representatives from offtake groups have also conducted site visits, highlighting their interest in the project.

“We are dedicated to creating a project that upholds our commitment to sustainable and responsible practices. We also greatly value the cooperation of the local community, as we continue to implement community-based programmes around the Kinusi mine and region,” says Marula CEO Jason Brewer.