Marimaca Copper hires Ausenco to advance feasibility of Chile project

Vancouver-based Marimaca Copper contracted engineering firm Ausenco Chile to conduct the feasibility study and process the permits for the Marimaca copper project in Antofagasta region.

The firm has invested US$280mn in the project so far, betting on potential output of 50,000t/y for at least 15 years starting in 2030.

Ausenco will also prepare the technical report that must be submitted to the Toronto stock exchange, where Marimaca's shares are listed, develop a geometallurgical model to optimize the leaching plant and the solvent and electrodeposition extraction process, including investment calculations, the miner said in a statement.

Ausenco won the contract in a tender. The company also participated in the project’s 2020 preliminary economic evaluation, the statement added.

The project is being planned as a green-seal initiative, as it will run on renewable energy and use recycled and desalinated water from Mejillones Bay.

Marimaca Copper plans to extract oxide resources through an open pit, while sulfides may be found underneath, according to an investor presentation.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation acquired a 5% stake in the project as part of a strategic investment in July and has an option to increase it to 7.5%, the presentation said.

Marimaca is only 40km from Antofagasta city and 25km from Mejillones port, and close to national route 1 and power and water infrastructure.

The company is continuing exploration at the asset.