Ausenco has been awarded the contract to lead definitive feasibility study (DFS) works at the Copi Project in New South Wales on behalf of emerging critical minerals producer, RZ Resources.
The contract will build on a strong partnership between the two companies, with Ausenco having already supported the project with pre-feasibility studies and desktop studies in 2023 and 2022.
Ausenco will refine the design of the project, leveraging insights from earlier studies, to incorporate additional scopes and enhance estimate accuracy to ensure feasibility in current market conditions.
The scope of the DFS covers the entire mining operations at Copi, including the rare earths concentrate plant, wet concentration plant, mining dredges, storage facilities and access roads, while also including operational readiness planning and a cost estimate for development.
The company draws upon extensive experience at other mineral sands projects, including the Pooncarie and Snapper mineral sands projects and involvement within the Grande Côte mine in Senegal.
“We’re pleased to continue our collaboration with Ausenco on this critical milestone for the Copi Project. Their deep expertise in mineral sands will help position the project for success, drive best practice, and bring our vision of an Australian-based mine-to-processing-to-port supply chain to life,” RZ Resources chief executive officer Campbell Jones said.
The project, situated in the Murray Basin, will produce high-grade rare earth minerals such as rutile, zircon and ilmenite which are used in supporting renewable energy, healthcare and advanced manufacturing industries.
“It’s a privilege to work with RZ Resources again following the successful completion of earlier studies. Our team of experts will draw on decades of global experience to deliver a robust DFS, continuing our commitment to finding better ways to plan, build and operate mines,” Ausenco president for Asia-Pacific and Africa Reuben Joseph said.
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