Copper Mining and Processing
The government of Sudan is actively promoting its rich mineral resources since international borders opened after the peak of COVID-19. It has signed nine mining concession agreements and one agreement related to copper and gold. In addition, a number of Australian companies have taken significant positions in the country.
The mining of copper is an important part of the country’s economy. It contributes to four percent of the GDP. The exploitation of its mineral resources depends on foreign companies as well as international market conditions. In order to attract foreign capital, the government has reformed its investment laws. It has also opened up its precious metal trade to private investors.
The Ministry of Energy and Mining wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance requesting that the tax on the mining sector be set at 10 percent. The Minister of Finance approved the tax, which is a new addition to the tax law. The new tax rate was implemented on December 23, 2008.
In the 1980s, large gypsum deposits were found along the Red Sea coast. These deposits were mined by the Sudanese Mining Corporation and private companies. In addition to gypsum, other types of minerals were mined, including limestone and marble. Most of the mining of gypsum took place north of Port Sudan. The country has also been engaged in manganese mining at times. In 2010, 770,000 metric tons of copper were recycled.
The first year of exploration in the JO included remote sensing alteration and ground-based mapping. It also included drainage sampling. A small pool was used to collect the pregnant leach solution. The retort used in the process was built by UNIDO, an international agency. The retort took 30 minutes to eliminate the mercury. It was a simple operation, but the operators were exposed to high levels of mercury vapor.
Copper Mining and Processing in Sudan
In July 2014, QMSD Mining Co Ltd acquired Block 62 in the Red Sea State. The company maintains a permanent exploration camp in the area. The project was expected to produce about 120,000 to 200,000 tons of iron ore per month. The project is slated for production beginning in about 14-18 months after the Final Investment Decision is made.
Why to Invest in Copper Mining
In the first year of exploration, the geochemical gold anomaly at the Jebel Ohier site was the main focus. The outcrop at JO was also identified to be characterized by significant hydrothermal alteration. The geological formations in the Blue Nile region and Obaidiya were also discovered to be rich in quartz-veins.
The exploration of the project continues and there is a high possibility that the Final Investment Decision will be made in H2-2023. In the meantime, the company will continue to develop a comprehensive FEED study and work to establish the project as one of the largest and lowest cost producers in Africa. The FEED study will include a comprehensive review of previous engineering studies.
The company has a strong African background and has developed a robust production portfolio. Currently, the company operates Yaoure gold mine in Cote d’Ivoire, Edikan gold mine in Ghana, and Sissingue gold mine in Ghana. It aims to achieve total gold production of at least 500,000 ounces by 2022.
