The Western Australian Government has granted the third and final key regulatory approval for OZ Minerals’ West Musgrave mining project, giving it the green light to begin construction near Jameson, Western Australia.
The project is currently nearing completion of a study phase and proposes mining copper and nickel from two ore bodies, Nebo and Babel, via shallow open pits.
The pre-feasibility study update in December 2020 found an average annual production of 32kt copper and 26kt nickel over a 26-year mine life.
Some 80 per cent of the mine’s power will come from renewable sources, using a combination of wind and solar, with a focus on developing a roadmap to 100 per cent renewables.
OZ Minerals is in advanced discussions with the Ngaanyatjarra Council on finalising the Mining Agreement, with significant progress made over the past several months.
The company has spent extensive time on country with traditional owners to ensure they are given full understanding of the impact of the project, and in community meetings where community support for the project was received.
In addition to completion of the Mining Agreement with representatives of the traditional owners, OZ Minerals is finalising various study components and continuing to assess the impact of cost inflation and the operational environment on the project’s cost and schedule.
OZ Minerals Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cole, said, “West Musgrave is an exciting project, intended to be a modern mine, producing minerals in demand for a decarbonising world, providing value for all our stakeholders, particularly the Ngaanyatjarra community.”
The project is on track for a final investment decision later this year.
