JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The final assay results from diamond drill holes completed to test strike and down-dip extensions of the high-grade copper mineralisation at the Flat Mine South deposit, part of the Okiep Copper Project in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

The latest results add further momentum to mine development company Orion Mineral’s development strategy for the Okiep Copper Project building on the outstanding outcomes of the recently completed confirmation drilling programme, which has confirmed the geology and endowment of the Flat Mines area.

Through the development of its mineral resources base located in the Northern Cape, Orion aims to be a next-generation base metals producer supplying future-facing metals for the global transition to a lower carbon future.

The latest results add further momentum to Orion’s development strategy for the Okiep Copper Project building on the outstanding outcomes of the recently completed confirmation drilling programme, which has confirmed the geology and endowment of the Flat Mines area.

Results reported in this announcement have confirmed both strike and down-dip continuity of previously intersected high-grade copper mineralisation, highlighting the potential for further upside and extensions to the mineralisation intercepted in drilling by Newmont and Gold Fields in the 1980s and 1990s as well as Orion’s confirmation drilling programme in 2024. 

Drill hole OFMSD083 intersected a broad zone of 40.52m at 1.34% Cu from 585.00m down-hole (580m below surface), including 10.00m at 1.03% Cu from 585.00m and 26.52m at 1.60% Cu from 599.00m.  The intersection is located 45m west of historical drill hole FMS053D1, which intersected 38.98m at 2.16% Cu from 574.45m.

A ground geophysical programme is in progress in the Flat Mines area using techniques not available to historical workers and is providing compelling indications of the potential for mineralisation analogous to the famous Carolusberg Deeps deposit at Okiep.

The positive results from ongoing exploration have resulted in a strategic decision to investigate changing the primary access and ore handling strategy for Flat Mine South scheduled for release in January.

Half of the employees of the emerging Prieska Copper Zinc Mine in South Africa’s prospective Northern Cape were, as of June 30, made up of members of the host community towns of Prieska, Marydale, Vanwyksvlei and Niekerkshoop.

Trial mining has already resulted in 103 members out of a total of 206 on-site employees being near-mine people, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange main board listed Orion has reported.

In addition, a consequential proportion of the Prieska mine’s goods, services and subcontracting opportunities have been awarded to local suppliers in that 69% of contracts have been awarded to businesses that are either based in, or employ labour from the host communities of, Siyathemba and Vanwyksvlei, and 31% to businesses located elsewhere in the Northern Cape.

Site preparation and site establishment for trial mining were completed in June. Ore sourced from the trial mining will be used for metallurgical optimisation tests and the detailed design of a modular sulphide concentrator plant.

Then, at Orion’s Okiep Copper Project, 450 km west of the Prieska mine, the company headed by Boksburg-born CEO Errol Smart, is on track to complete a bankable feasibility study for Flat Mines Area, where Orion has acquired 12 156 ha of surface rights to assure access.

Moreover, at Orion’s Jacomynspan nickel, copper and platinum group element project, 70 km north of the Prieska flagship, battery electric vehicle manufacturers could well become the end-users of the metal vapour powder products that Orion will be producing through the deployment of inventive refining technology.

Copper ore from trial mining is stockpiled on surface at Prieska, where the upgrade of the Cuprum electrical substation has been completed for the supply of 15 MVA, which is sufficient power for dewatering and early mining operations to run simultaneously.

Mechanical and electrical infrastructure installed in June 2024 has the capacity to provide more than the required 500 m3/hour of dewatering.

Blasting required to construct the lined 13 ha water storage dam/future tailings storage facility at Prieska has been completed, and key infrastructure for the water storage dam is being installed.