- Alara Resources (ASX:AUQ) energises its copper concentrate plant in Oman
- First concentrate production is tipped for mid-Q4 of CY2023
- The company has also commenced power and water supply arrangements
- Alara has also launched a new logo and “brand identity”
- Shares last traded at 3.2 cents
Alara Resources (ASX:AUQ) has powered up its copper concentrate plant on-site its copper-gold project in Oman as first production is tipped for mid-Q4 of CY2023.
When live and operating at nameplate capacity, the plant will be capable of producing one million tonnes per year.
The plant in question comprises part of the company’s Al Wash-hi Majazza JV project.
The company holds a 51 per cent interest in project owner Al Hadeetha Resources LLC.
Boosting chances at early revenue, Alara boasts an existing offtake agreement with global commodities heavyweight Trafigura.
Substation specifics
The power infrastructure on-site is comprised of 3×6 megavolt ampere (MVA) transformers, themselves situated in a larger power substation.
That facility is now connected to the Mudhaibi power grid, a major asset in Oman owned by the NAMA Electricity Distribution Company.
Each part of the concentrate plant will now go live in stages with full live power set to be clocked in four weeks’ time.
Water the second part of equation
Meanwhile, a freshwater storage pond on-site able to take 15,000 cubic metres is starting to fill up as the Al Mudhaibi sewage treatment plant (STP) redirects flows.
That STP was upgraded in part by the Omani government’s Water & Wastewater Services.
Water is being trucked to the site from the STP, which Alara notes gives employment to local communities.
Heading towards full operation
Graduate engineers are being “trained exhaustively” ahead of concentrate production and downstream chemicals have been delivered on-site.
The company has nearly hired all staff needed to manage substation operations and key components for milling are en route from China.
“I would like to congratulate and thank all Government Authorities, contractors, consultants and our partners in AHRL for making extraordinary efforts over the last several weeks to get Project power infrastructure activated and water deliveries to site commenced,” Alara Managing Director Atmavireshwar Sthapak said.
“I am very pleased and excited to see this Project achieve two major milestones despite several unforeseen challenges.”
Shares last traded at 3.2 cents.