Copper 360 Executes First On-Ore Blast at Rietberg Mine in 42 Years

Copper 360 has achieved a significant milestone with the successful execution of its first on-ore blast at Rietberg Mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape, marking the first such blast in 42 years. The event, which took place on January 31, signals the company’s shift from unpredictable mine development to structured hard-rock mining.

Following the reopening of Rietberg Mine in August 2024, Copper 360 navigated through highly oxidized, lower-grade rock during the development and commissioning phase. The latest blast allows the company to target higher-grade hard-rock resources, aligning with historical drill results and mine plans.

Development at the mine will continue over the next nine months, with full production expected to reach approximately 40,000 tonnes per month by the end of 2025. “This milestone marks another step in Copper 360’s aspirations to become a meaningful global copper producer by efficiently exploiting its vast copper resources in the region,” the company stated.

CEO Shirley Hayes emphasized the importance of the transition: “This marks a pivotal moment for Copper 360 as we shift from an unpredictable phase of broken rock processing to a structured, sustainable hard-rock mining operation. This transition will provide us with the consistency and reliability needed to achieve our production and financial targets.”

Copper 360 began underground mining operations at Rietberg in August 2024, with an initial production target of 12,000 tonnes in the first month. Ore from the mine is processed at the Nama Copper modular flotation plant, acquired from Mazule Resources.

Rietberg, originally closed in 1983, holds significant copper reserves and has a history dating back to the early 20th century. The resumption of operations is expected to contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and supporting community development initiatives in the Northern Cape.

Rietberg is the first of several historically dormant mines, initially developed by Newmont and Gold Fields, that Copper 360 plans to reopen as part of its Cluster Mining Model. The company holds mining rights across 19,000 hectares, where 12 mines and 60 historical prospects have been identified, each with its own comprehensive data set.