"Parliamentary Energy Committee": Promising indicators for the copper project in the Abu Khushaiba area of Wadi Araba
Amman3 min read
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Head of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, Ayman Abu Haniya, said that the preliminary indicators for the copper exploration project in the Abu Khushaiba area in southern Jordan are promising, pointing out the progress of exploration work and the company's commitment to the specified work plan, amid parliamentary follow-up and oversight by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission.
Abu Haniya added on Monday that the agreement concluded between the government and the Wadi Araba Minerals Company achieves a balance between the rights of the state and the investor, noting that the expected government revenues include between 48% and 50% of net profits, in addition to royalties.
He emphasized that the agreement prevents the export of copper in its raw form, supporting the trend towards local manufacturing and processing, and enhancing the added value of Jordanian industry and the national economy.
20.9 million tons of estimated copper ore
The Wadi Araba Minerals Company estimates the quantities of copper ore in the Abu Khushaiba area at about 20.9 million tons, with an average copper concentration of 0.38%, while an independent technical assessment estimated the mineral resources at about 9.4 million tons with an average concentration of 0.50%, equivalent to about 46,000 tons of copper.
These estimates are based on studies conducted so far, as drilling work covered an initial part of the areas bearing copper mineralization, with the possibility of expanding the scope of exploration and updating resource estimates as work progresses.
Exploration work carried out during October included the analysis of 659 geochemical samples, the execution of 53 exploratory trenches, and the drilling of 65 wells, alongside conducting laboratory and metallurgical tests to test ore characteristics and copper extraction methods.
The upcoming action plan, spanning 24 months, includes drilling more than 120 exploratory wells using diamond core drilling, aimed at expanding the studied areas, improving three-dimensional geological models, and raising the confidence level in the classification of mineral resources, in preparation for preparing the final feasibility study.
Preliminary tests for copper extraction
The company is working on establishing a pilot plant to process copper ore, aiming to test ore characteristics, evaluate processing and extraction efficiency, and provide the technical data necessary to design the commercial production plant.
Some preliminary laboratory tests showed copper extraction rates exceeding 99% under specific operating conditions, particularly in oxidized ores containing malachite and chrysocolla minerals.
These results require further testing to verify processing efficiency and economic feasibility.
The company has also identified target locations where raw material quantities are estimated at about 400,000 tons, with an average copper concentration of nearly 1%, according to preliminary estimates.
