Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, visited Orion Minerals’ flagship Prieska Copper Zinc Mine (PCZM) in South Africa’s Northern Cape, as the mine progresses towards becoming a next-generation copper and zinc producer.
The visit follows the release of the PCZM Definitive Feasibility Studies (DFS) in March 2025, outlining an optimised two-phase development strategy aimed at de-risking the mine’s development pathway and accelerating value creation. This approach will deliver first production from the Upper-Level Phase within 13 months from the start of construction, with the cash generated helping to fund the ongoing de-watering and other early works required for the Deeps Phase of the mine. Orion is well-positioned to become a near-term producer after delivering positive studies for both PCZM and the Flat Mines Project at Okiep.
Orion’s Managing Director and CEO, Tony Lennox, commented: “Orion welcomes the DMPR to PCZM to showcase the high potential of its assets as well as our plans to advance these projects and financing strategy, while delivering on our skills development and employment opportunities goals. We are committed to delivering meaningful economic and social change in the region.”
Orion is making progress with the next stage of its development strategy, including advancing project financing and dewatering of PCZM, which has a mineral resource of 31.0Mt at an average grade of 1.2% copper and 3.6% zinc. PCZM has the potential to develop into a long-life, financially robust mining operation with an annual steady-state production of 22kt of copper and 65kt of zinc.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe said, “After visiting the mine, I am hopeful for the future of the Prieska mine to create value, improve lives, support other businesses and uplift the Northern Cape. I will come back to visit when the mine produces its first copper.”
Minister Mantashe went on an underground visit and was shown the dewatering infrastructure and freshly exposed ore at the site of the recent underground trial mining.
Orion has been a positive catalyst in its host communities, demonstrating that a junior exploration company can deliver benefits and change for the communities surrounding its operations. Throughout the development stages of its operations, Orion continues to prioritise the development of local suppliers to benefit the social and economic well-being of the community. The development of these projects will play an important role in unlocking economic development and community development opportunities in the Northern Cape, securing the region’s long-term prosperity.
The Minister, who was employed at Prieska Copper Mines from 1975 to 1983, unveiled a plaque located at the main shaft headgear celebrating his visit.