Cyprium Metals Limited has commenced acid commissioning of existing heap leach pads at the Nifty Copper Complex in Western Australia, marking the first time acid has been applied to the pads since operations ceased in 2009.

Alongside the operational update, Cyprium has deferred its expected first copper cathode production from the previously scheduled September quarter of 2026 to the fourth quarter of 2026. First cathode output will occur during wet commissioning and ramp-up, pending the successful completion of plant commissioning and regulatory approvals.

The brownfield site was placed on care and maintenance in November 2019 before being acquired by Cyprium.

Acid application follows a successful 14-well direct injection leaching trial using water without acid. The trial confirmed well design and demonstrated that existing heaps could accept injected solution at commercial flow rates of approximately 250 cubic metres per hour and beyond.

The introduction of water during the trial also produced copper outflows in sufficient grade and quantity to commission the solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) plant. Cyprium has since expanded the wellfield from 14 to 98 production wells, providing access to approximately 1.7 million tonnes of material for future leaching.

“We are commissioning our heaps, ponds and acid circuit now. Applying acid solution to the existing heaps is a significant milestone for Cyprium - this is the first leach on these pads in nearly twenty years. We have already filled the ponds with enough copper rich solution to support the plant startup. Now we expect to start quickly building grade to support production. In the plant, we are rapidly closing out scopes of work and focused on delivering a safe and successful commissioning and start up.”

— Matt Fifield, Executive Chairman

The SX plant is substantially mechanically complete, with dry commissioning and water commissioning underway. Primary settling tanks, mixing tanks, and solution lines have completed piping installation and static hydrotesting.

The electrowinning plant is also substantially mechanically complete with all major equipment installed. Remaining electrowinning scopes include installing cell top furniture, completing the refurbishment of the stripping machine, loading cathodes and anodes, and finalising electrical and instrumentation work.

Read the full announcement: Operations Update - Phase 1 Cathode Restart Project