Sandfire Successfully Commissions New Filter Press at Motheo Copper Mine
Sandfire has successfully commissioned a new permanent filter press at the Motheo Copper Mine in Botswana.
During the initial ramp-up of the Motheo process plant in the September Quarter of 2023, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filter press installed during construction failed to meet design parameters.
In response, an interim solution using mobile filter units was implemented, enabling the safe ramp-up of copper concentrate production at planned rates and specifications.
An $8 million capital investment secured the procurement, installation, and commissioning of a Larox filter press to support the long-term operational needs of Motheo.
Reflecting on this milestone, Sandfire Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Brendan Harris said, “Commissioning of the new filter press concludes a challenging period for the Motheo operations team, and I congratulate them on their hard work and ingenuity.
The new filter press removes significant complexity at the ‘back end’ of our processing circuit and provides the capacity needed to test higher rates of production as we debottleneck the operation.”
Sandfire, a Perth-based company listed on the ASX, is transforming into a globally significant copper producer.
Motheo, Sandfire’s new long-life asset, is located in the central portion of the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana. The Motheo operations, centred on the development and mining of the T3 and A4 Open Pit mines, were officially opened in August 2023.
With a central processing facility, Motheo produces high-quality copper concentrate containing a silver by-product, which is transported by truck to Walvis Bay, Namibia, for shipping to smelters worldwide.
The operation is supported by a community office in the nearby town of Ghanzi, which manages human resources and community relations in the Ghanzi District.
