Harmony has ticked off key tasks including awarding a front-end engineering design contract and finalising the process flowsheet for its proposed Eva copper mine.

The company’s interim results report for the six-month period to December 31 described work on the feasibility study update for the North-West Queensland project as progressing well.

Chief executive officer Beyers Nel said the company had validated geotechnical, environmental and other construction and operational conditions, and site layout plans were finalised.

“A front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for the process plant and non-process infrastructure has been awarded,” he said.

“Conclusion of the FEED contract will result in an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract award.

“A larger copper concentrator is proposed, with milling throughput expected to reach up to 18 million tonnes per annum.

“Once in operation, we expect to produce 55,000 to 60,000 tonnes of copper annually for a minimum of 15 years.”

Bechtel has been engaged to spearhead the project’s front-end engineering design, while Thiess will help deliver the stage two preliminary works for Eva, after completing the site access improvement works last year.

The early site works in the last half of 2024 focused on improving access roads, fencing and the establishment of an 80-person construction camp.

“As part of these activities, we entered into an alliance agreement for bulk earthworks, construction and contract mining,” Mr Nel said.

“These activities fulfilled a number of obligations as they relate to the Queensland Government’s $20.7 million conditional grant funding.

“Progressing to stage two of preliminary works will continue to derisk the project’s construction and first production critical path.”

Related: Harmony welcomes leg-up to bring Eva online

A key element in the project design was finalising the selection of the preferred long-term power solution, he said.

“Grid power provided by the proposed CopperString 2032 transmission line project, connecting the North West Minerals Province in Queensland to the national electricity market, remains the preferred power solution.

“We are engaging with the Queensland Government in relation to the timing and cost of power to be delivered by the CopperString 2032 project.”

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