Dual processing pathways. One focused copper strategy.

Copper ore can occur in different mineral forms, and each requires a processing route suited to its characteristics. Austral Resources’ Western and Eastern Operations provide dual pathways for oxide and sulphide material.

Copper ore can occur in different mineral forms, and each requires a processing route suited to its characteristics. Austral Resources’ Western and Eastern Operations provide dual pathways for oxide and sulphide material.

Different ore. Different process.

Oxide processing pathway

Mt Kelly anchors Western Operations, combining established oxide processing infrastructure with nearby mining and resource areas across North West Queensland. Copper cathode is the finished copper product produced through Mt Kelly’s heap-leach and SX-EW pathway. Copper is deposited onto stainless-steel plates, stripped as sheets and prepared for sale.

01 - Ore preparation

Oxide ore is crushed, sized and prepared before being stacked in engineered heaps on lined leach pads.

02 - Heap leaching

A dilute sulphuric acid solution passes through the heaps, dissolving copper from the ore into a copper-rich solution.

03 - Solvent extraction

Copper is selectively transferred from the collected leach solution into a cleaner, concentrated solution ready for electrowinning.

04 - Electrowinning

Electrical current deposits copper onto stainless-steel plates. The finished copper is stripped, bundled and prepared for transport.

Sulphide processing pathway

Rocklands anchors Eastern Operations, providing Austral Resources with a sulphide processing pathway and a foundation for future production and selected regional opportunities. Copper concentrate is produced by separating and concentrating copper-bearing minerals from sulphide ore through flotation.

01 - Ore preparation

Sulphide ore is received and prepared before entering the crushing and grinding circuit.

02 - Crushing and grinding

The ore is progressively reduced in size to liberate the copper-bearing minerals for the next stage of processing.

03 - Flotation

The finely ground material passes through flotation, where copper-bearing minerals are separated and concentrated.

04 - Copper concentrate

The recovered copper-bearing minerals form a concentrate that is prepared for handling and transport.

The value of dual processing

Austral Resources’ oxide and sulphide processing pathways provide greater flexibility across its copper portfolio – supporting company-controlled resources, future development and selected regional opportunities.

Processing flexibility

Different copper ores require different processing routes. Austral Resources can assess suitable material against the oxide or sulphide pathway based on its technical characteristics.

Infrastructure-backed growth

Mt Kelly and Rocklands provide a dual processing platform that can support Austral Resources’ production, development and growth strategy.

Partnership potential

Where technical and commercial conditions align, Austral Resources’ infrastructure may provide selected resource owners and strategic partners with a pathway to processing.

Dual processing questions

Clear answers to common questions about Austral Resources’ oxide and sulphide processing pathways.

Oxide copper typically occurs closer to the earth’s surface, where mineralisation has been altered by weathering and groundwater over millions of years.

Western Operations produce copper cathode through the Mt Kelly oxide processing pathway. Suitable oxide ore is processed using heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning before the finished copper is stripped, bundled and prepared for transport.

Following restart, the Rocklands sulphide processing pathway is intended to produce copper concentrate. Sulphide ore is crushed and ground before flotation separates and concentrates the copper-bearing minerals.

Different copper ores require different processing routes. Austral Resources’ dual oxide and sulphide infrastructure provides greater flexibility across its portfolio and supports the assessment of suitable material against the appropriate processing pathway.

Potentially. Where technical, commercial and operational conditions align, Austral Resources may assess selected third-party or strategic opportunities against its processing capacity. Any arrangement remains subject to assessment, agreement and approvals.

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