Aurelia advances Great Cobar as processing expansion boosts growth outlook
2026-08-31 11:17:49 [Print]
Aurelia Metals is advancing the next phase of growth in the Cobar Basin through the development of the high-grade Great Cobar copper-gold project, alongside an expansion of its Peak processing plant that is set to increase processing capacity by up to 50%.
The company's feasibility study outlines an initial production schedule of 3.6 million tonnes over an eight-year mine life, containing approximately 77,000 tonnes of copper, 84,000 ounces of gold, and 505,000 ounces of silver.
First ore is targeted for fiscal year 2028, with production expected to ramp up to 500,000 tonnes per annum from fiscal year 2030 onward.
At the Peak plant, the Tailings Thickener was commissioned during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, while the Tertiary Ball Mill remains on track for commissioning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.
Together, these expansion projects are expected to lift processing capacity from 800,000 tonnes per annum to between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
Aurelia stated that regulatory approval for the higher plant throughput was received in August 2026, providing the final clearance required to operate at the expanded capacity.
The company is targeting fiscal year 2027 production of 50,000–60,000 ounces of gold, 2,500–3,500 tonnes of copper, 26,000–34,000 tonnes of zinc, and 17,000–25,000 tonnes of lead.
The company's feasibility study outlines an initial production schedule of 3.6 million tonnes over an eight-year mine life, containing approximately 77,000 tonnes of copper, 84,000 ounces of gold, and 505,000 ounces of silver.
First ore is targeted for fiscal year 2028, with production expected to ramp up to 500,000 tonnes per annum from fiscal year 2030 onward.
At the Peak plant, the Tailings Thickener was commissioned during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, while the Tertiary Ball Mill remains on track for commissioning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.
Together, these expansion projects are expected to lift processing capacity from 800,000 tonnes per annum to between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
Aurelia stated that regulatory approval for the higher plant throughput was received in August 2026, providing the final clearance required to operate at the expanded capacity.
The company is targeting fiscal year 2027 production of 50,000–60,000 ounces of gold, 2,500–3,500 tonnes of copper, 26,000–34,000 tonnes of zinc, and 17,000–25,000 tonnes of lead.
Lead Conc. Pb 50%min, Ag 1,000g/dt max EXW China TC
Unit:RMB/mmt
China primary lead producers' sales volume statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
