AIC Mines’ prospective Jericho copper mine has been greenlit by the Queensland Government, growing the state’s copper resource by thousands of tonnes per year.
The Jericho mine has been granted a mining lease that allows for surface works at the site to commence.
The mine is set to support hundreds of jobs throughout construction and mining, and pave the way for AIC’s nearby Eloise copper mine to extend its life for another 10 years.
“The North-West Minerals Province continues to deliver more good jobs for Queenslanders and the critical minerals to power our state’s renewable energy transformation,” Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart said.
“The ripple effects of this new project will resonate far beyond the mine, boosting local and international copper supply for solar, wind and battery energy manufacturing, including Mount Isa’s copper smelter.”
AIC Mines acquired the Jericho copper deposit just 15 months before the lease was granted.
AIC managing director Aaron Colleran said the granting of the lease is an important milestone on the Jericho development journey.
“The world needs more copper as we transition away from fossil fuels and AIC Mines is focused on delivering on that demand,” he said.
“Queensland is a great place to be operating – it has the copper, the mining infrastructure and the skilled labour force to help fill what is expected to be an insatiable global appetite for copper.”
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