KAZ Minerals produces first copper from Aktogay project

KAZ Minerals has produced its first copper cathode from oxide ore at the Aktogay project in the east of Kazakhstan.

The company, which operates four mines and three concentrators in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, said the SX/EW plant is expected to swiftly reach an output level of 15,000 tonnes per annum.

KAZ said the sulphide concentrator remains on track for commissioning in 2017, which will result in the Aktogay project delivering a combined production from sulphide and oxide ore of 105,000 tonnes per year on average for the first 10 years.

Chief executive Oleg Novachuk said: “The completion of the Aktogay oxide project is an important step in delivering industry leading growth from our portfolio of large scale, low cost, open pit copper mines."