Anglo Asian Mining begins ore extraction at Demirli copper mine in Karabakh

Anglo Asian Mining Plc., a UK-based gold, silver, and copper producer operating in Azerbaijan, has commenced first ore extraction at the Demirli copper mine in the country’s Karabakh economic region, the company said on Monday.

"Anglo Asian Mining plc announces the commissioning and first ore production at the Demirli copper mine. Commissioning is ongoing and production is expected to ramp up throughout the remainder of the year," the company said in a statement.

The company forecasts production of approximately 4,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2025, with annual output rising to about 15,000 tonnes from 2026. The mine’s operational lifespan will be defined following the development of an updated geological and mineral resource model.

Ore is currently extracted from a large open pit and trucked to the processing plant. The plant is powered by Azerbaijan’s national electricity grid, and water is sourced from local and regional supplies.

Tailings and flotation waste are temporarily being discharged into an existing facility. A full geotechnical survey and the design of a new tailings dam and pipeline route have been completed.

Around 150 new employees have been hired to support operations at the mine and plant, and about 50 experienced staff have been transferred from other Anglo Asian operations to ensure a smooth production ramp-up.

The company noted that Demirli has significant potential for additional mineral resources, with opportunities to expand the current pit and evaluate nearby copper targets. A regional exploration programme is planned.

According to unconfirmed 2016 data, the Demirli deposit contains an estimated 275,000 tonnes of copper and 3,200 tonnes of molybdenum.

Anglo Asian Mining currently operates the Gedabek and Gosha sites in Azerbaijan. Its 1997 PSA contract with the government covers development of six deposits, with Azerbaijan holding a 51% stake and Anglo Asian 49%. The company now holds rights to eight contract areas in the country.

N.Tebrizli