Australia-headquartered Sandfire Resources has unveiled potential for new copper and silver discovery in Botswana, with the announcement of a maiden resource estimate for the A1 deposit, about 20 km from the Motheo copper mine, in Botswana.

The company’s third-quarter results unveiled a maiden inferred resource estimate of 5.6-million tonnes at 1.3% copper and 10 g/t silver for the A1 deposit.

With 73 000 t of copper and two-million ounces of silver, A1 presents an opportunity to serve as an additional source of satellite ore feed for the Motheo production hub, complementing the A4 deposit.  

“We see real potential for this resource to grow as we increase drillhole density and test the open extent of the orebody,” said CEO and MD Brendan Harris.

Sandfire’s focus on exploration in the Kalahari and Iberian Pyrite copper belts aligns with its strategy to extend the mine life of its metal processing hubs at Motheo and MATSA.

In Spain, work is under way to update the mineral resource and ore reserve estimate for MATSA, with an announcement expected in the June quarter.

Meanwhile, Sandfire remains on track to achieve its group copper-equivalent production guidance of 135 000 t for the 2024 financial year, and aims to grow copper-equivalent production by more than 50% across the two years to the end of the 2025 financial year.

Harris reported that the Motheo processing facility ramp-up to 2.5-million-tonne-a-year nameplate rate was progressing well.

The facility achieved an average annualised throughput rate of 4.7-million tonnes across the March quarter. Harris highlighted the potential for sustained high milling rates, which could enhance metal production plans.

At MATSA, the three underground mines continued to deliver high rates of ore production, achieving a record annualised mining rate of 4.7-million tonnes a year in the third quarter.

Challenges such as a pipeline blockage temporarily affected access to higher-grade stopes, but were mitigated by focusing on the Stockwork zone.

The paste fill pipeline servicing the Aguas Teñidas Western Extension has been re-established, paving the way for MATSA to have a strong finish to the year, while the establishment of above-ground stock in the first nine months of the year and stronger mining rates sets it up well for another incremental increase in overall metal production in 2025.