Ancient metal The Flats Mine copper project in South Africa’s Northern Cape province is coming closer to fruition, with the definitive feasibility study (DFS) already under way and a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) deal concluded. The project is the first mine in the larger Okiep Copper project (OCP) that the JSE- and AXE-listed Orion Minerals intends developing. Orion has 703 km2 of ground holdings covering most of the Okiep copper complex, which has produced 105 million tons of copper over the last century. Mineral resources at the OCP are estimated at 12 million tons with a grading of 1.4% Cu for 159 000 tons of contained Cu. Mining Weekly reports that Orion has concluded the necessary BEE arrangements for its New Okiep Exploration Company and the New Okiep Mining Company (NOM) to allow participation of historically disadvantaged South Africans in the project. The BEE deal has received the green light from the South African Takeover Regulation Panel. Once the DFS is approved, NOM is expected to move forward with the project financing phase. In parallel, the DFS for Orion’s Prieska copper/zinc mine is also well advanced and will follow a similar approval process. Business Day, meanwhile, reports that Orion has uncovered more significant high-grade mineralisation at the Flats Mine South deposit. Orion’s partners in the project are the Industrial Development Corporation and Landmark Capital. 4 February 2025 Image: Freepik