African Copper heads for first production

The mine, formerly known as the Dukwe project, was renamed Mowana last year, the local word for the Baobab tree which stands near the entrance to the property. "Production is imminent and construction is over 90% complete at this point," Hamilton said on a conference call with analysts. The company, which received a 25-year mining licence for the operation in December last year, expects to pour the first concentrate at Mowana within the next three months, and hopes to achieve commercial production in the third quarter.

The company expects to produce around 5 500 t of copper this year, but will ramp up to output of some 29 000 t/y in 2012. It currently has over 200 000 t of ore on stockpile.