Copper360 ships first Northern Cape concentrate in 21 years

Copper360, a JSE-listed copper miner, has made a groundbreaking achievement by delivering South Africa's first copper concentrate in 21 years, marking a significant milestone in the country's copper production. Jan Nelson, the CEO of Copper360, recently discussed the details of this major accomplishment in an interview on CNBC Africa. Nelson expressed his excitement and gratitude for the dedicated team that made this achievement possible, highlighting the revival of the once-thriving copper district in the Northern Cape. He emphasized the strategic significance of this production, signaling a return to prominence for South Africa in the global copper market. The company aims to scale up its copper production to 1,000 tonnes per month in the coming months and ultimately reach 30,000 tonnes over the next three years, positioning itself as a key player in the industry once again. Nelson also shed light on the employment opportunities created by Copper360's operations, with plans to hire more personnel and establish an agri-company that will further contribute to job creation in the region. Additionally, he outlined the substantial capital expenditure incurred for the operations, emphasizing the long-term benefits and revenue generation prospects. Looking ahead, Copper360 has ambitious plans for future expansions, including the development of a third concentrate plant and a focus on beneficiation to enhance the value chain. With a positive outlook on copper prices and the increasing demand driven by global trends such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, Copper360 is poised for growth and success in the evolving copper market. However, the company has also faced challenges, with allegations of market manipulation affecting its share price. Nelson addressed these concerns, emphasizing the need to protect shareholders' interests and maintain market integrity. Copper360 is committed to investigating these issues and taking appropriate action against any entities involved in illegal market activities, reaffirming its dedication to ethical business practices and transparency in the industry.