Name of the Project
Rietberg copper mine.

Location
The Rietberg mine is located about 22 km north of Springbok, in South Africa’s Northern Cape.

Project Owner/s
Copper mining company Copper 360.
 
Project Description
Rietberg was an underground operation active in the 1970s. Ore was transported to Nababeep for processing. The mine closed in 1981, owing to the presence of other more economical and closer deposits to the Nababeep plant and smelter. 

The project has a measured and indicated maiden mineral resource of 4.78-million tonnes grading at 1.27% copper for 60 800 t of copper metal. 

The project comprises the development of the Rietberg mine, the establishment of copper concentrate processing capacity, and optimisation of the solvent extraction/electrowinning (SX/EW) operation.

The plan is for Rietberg to treat 720 000 t/y of run-of-mine.

The mine’s reserve is estimated at just over 1.2-million tons of copper metal giving a mine life of more than eight to nine years; however, there is significant upside to drill out.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
To date, about R93-million has been spent on the Rietberg mine and processing plant and R27-million on the SX/EW plant optimisation.

Planned Start/End Date
Copper 360 reported the delivery of first copper concentrate in April 2024. 

Latest Developments
Rietberg mine was opened and the tramming of broken rock ore started in August 2024, after support had been installed. A startup fleet of underground trackless mobile machinery was acquired. 

The first fresh ore development blast was conducted at the end of January 2025. 

Copper 360 reports in its Reviewed Condensed Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the Financial Year Ended February 28, 2025, that further capital expenditure – in the form of site infrastructure, and expansion underground, with trackless mobile machinery – is required for a sustainable mining operation.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Epiroc Financial Solutions (underground mining equipment).

Contact Details for Project Information
Copper 360, email info@copper360.co.za.