Austral Resources (ASX:AR1) is pushing towards mine restart at the Rocklands Copper Project in North West Queensland, with its refurbishment program progressing on schedule and on budget.
The company has secured an as-new, unused 4.75-megawatt semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill, which will be delivered to the site in late July.
Austral has also undertaken detailed engineering assessments across the project’s existing process plant infrastructure. These covered primary crushing and ball milling; flotation circuits, thickening, and filtration; and concentrate handling facilities.
The company has also commenced a detailed review of mechanical equipment deemed capable of being repurposed in the revised process flowsheet. This includes screens, bins, pumps, hoppers, and associated equipment.
GR Engineering Services has been appointed to undertake engineering design and construction management for the front-end modifications required for the mine restart.
Front end engineering design activities began in early April and are expected to be completed by end-July 2026.
Assessment of conveyors and structures identified for demolition is underway. Demolition activities are expected to accelerate this month ahead of the SAG mill’s arrival, along with pebble crusher circuits.
The company expects to mobilise for earthworks and civil construction activities in Q3 2026, with completion targeted ahead of the 2026/27 wet season.
Austral has also completed a confirmatory drilling at Rocklands, with metallurgical core samples to be processed by Core Technologies.
The resulting testwork program is expected to optimise the flotation circuit design, recovery performance, and concentrate quality.
COO Shane O’Connell says that the company is focused on developing a “simpler, lower-risk, and capital-efficient processing circuit” that maximises copper concentrate production while leveraging the substantial infrastructure already in place at the project.
“Importantly, Rocklands will be supplied by ore from Austral’s wholly owned mining operations. Mining is already underway at Flying Horse and Mt Clarke, supplying oxide feed to Mt Kelly while exposing future sulphide feed for Rocklands, which will be blended with the existing Rocklands sulphide resource,” O’Connell says.
“This integrated approach provides a clear pathway from mining through to processing and positions Austral as a producer of both oxide and sulphide copper from its eastern and western operations.
“With engineering progressing, major equipment secured, and site works planned to commence in Q3 2026, we remain confident in delivering the Rocklands restart on time and on budget.”
Austral Resources is a copper cathode producer operating in the Mt Isa region in Queensland, Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Austral Resources
