Tartana Minerals Boosts Copper Sulphate Output with Key Shipment to Northern Territory

Tartana Minerals has achieved a significant milestone with the largest copper sulphate shipment from its Queensland plant to a major mining operation in the Northern Territory. The shipment, totaling 150 tonnes, was secured through Kanins International, a leading distributor in the copper sulphate market. Kanins and Tartana had entered into a three-year, 100%-offtake agreement in November 2022, which entailed an exclusive arrangement for the sale and distribution of Tartana’s technical-grade copper sulphate. This agreement was predicated on an increase in production from 200 metric tonnes per month to 500 metric tonnes per month.

Stephen Bartrop, Managing Director of Tartana Minerals, highlighted the significance of this shipment, noting it as a key achievement for the company’s recent sales efforts within the North Australian mining sector. Tartana made its initial copper sulphate shipment in early May. The company has reported improvements in plant performance, leading to enhanced product quality and bolstering its market position for copper sulphate pentahydrate.

Tartana’s upcoming shipment, expected to be around 70 tonnes, is progressing well. Approximately half of this shipment is already completed and stored, with the remainder slated for production in the coming week. Bartrop emphasized that the plant continues to operate efficiently, employing Tartana’s proprietary process to produce free-flowing crystals with minimal impurities.

In addition to ramping up production, Tartana is advancing its exploration and metallurgical activities to support future copper sulphate output. The company has recently drilled a metallurgical hole to a depth of over 300 meters. This drilling aims to collect primary copper mineralization samples for various metallurgical tests, including flotation recoveries, potential concentrate grades, and ore sorting. Results from these tests and core assaying are anticipated soon.

Tartana's mining leases feature a refurbished heap leach – solvent extraction – crystallisation plant, which is now operational and focused on producing copper sulphate for the mining industry. The ongoing upgrades and exploration efforts underscore Tartana’s commitment to enhancing its production capabilities and supporting its growth trajectory in the copper sulphate market.

Tartana Minerals Limited is a prominent copper producer and an active explorer and developer of copper, gold, silver, and zinc in the Chillagoe Region of Far North Queensland. The company operates the Tartana mining leases, which feature a heap leach – solvent extraction – crystallisation plant that has been recently refurbished. This plant is now actively producing copper sulphate pentahydrate for the North Queensland mining sector. In addition to copper and zinc resources at the Tartana mining lease, Tartana Minerals also holds a substantial gold resource at its Mountain Maid project. The company is involved in several early-stage exploration projects as well.