Amman, Oct. 19 (Petra) -- Preliminary studies of the Abu Khashiba copper mining project in southern Jordan have identified mineral resources estimated at between 9.4 million and 20.9 million tons of ore, depending on the assessment method, as exploration continues and work progresses on a pilot processing plant.

The figures were presented Monday during a field visit by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh and members of the energy and mineral resources committees of the Senate and Lower House to the project, which is being developed by Wadi Araba Minerals Company.

The visit began with a technical briefing at the company's field camp, covering geological studies, exploration and drilling results, mineral resource estimates, and plans to develop the project and establish processing facilities for copper and associated minerals.

Kharabsheh described Abu Khashiba as a promising strategic mining project that could help Jordan make greater use of its mineral resources, increase the mining sector's contribution to gross domestic product, attract investment and create jobs in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

He highlighted the project's potential economic returns, including government revenues, direct and indirect employment, and increased activity in mining-related industries and services, particularly in southern Jordan.

The minister stressed the importance of progressing systematically from exploration to mineral resource assessment, economic feasibility studies and eventual commercial production, in accordance with internationally recognized scientific and technical standards.

He said the copper exploration and development agreement signed with Wadi Araba Minerals Company was the first of its kind in Jordan, emphasizing the need to continue exploration and development activities under the implementation agreement and approved work plans.

Wadi Araba Minerals Company General Manager Hani Asmar presented the results of the company's technical work, including geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys, remote sensing, trenching, exploratory drilling, laboratory analysis and metallurgical testing to assess copper and gold mineralization.

Asmar said the company's internal assessment estimated approximately 20.9 million tons of ore with an average copper grade of 0.38%, while an independent technical assessment estimated 9.4 million tons at an average grade of 0.50%, equivalent to approximately 46,000 tons of copper.

He explained that the figures reflect current study results and that drilling has so far covered only an initial portion of the basin's copper-bearing areas, leaving opportunities for further exploration and revisions to resource estimates as additional drilling data become available.

Since the implementation agreement took effect in May, the company has advanced its exploration program. Work reported for October includes analysis of 659 geochemical samples, excavation of 53 exploration trenches, drilling of 65 boreholes, and laboratory and metallurgical tests using different extraction and leaching techniques. Asmar said the next phase will extend over 24 months and include drilling more than 120 exploratory boreholes using diamond core drilling techniques.

The program aims to expand the areas studied, improve three-dimensional geological models and increase confidence in mineral resource classifications, ultimately supporting preparation of a definitive feasibility study.

He added that the company is developing a pilot-scale copper ore processing plant to test the ore's technical and metallurgical characteristics, evaluate processing and extraction efficiency, and generate operational data for designing a future commercial production facility.

Preliminary metallurgical tests have produced encouraging results for copper extraction from oxidized ores, particularly copper-bearing minerals such as malachite and chrysocolla.

Some laboratory tests achieved extraction rates exceeding 99% under specific operating conditions, Asmar said, noting that larger-scale testing remains necessary to verify processing efficiency and economic feasibility.

The company has also identified sites containing copper ore suitable for initial extraction, with preliminary estimates indicating approximately 400,000 tons of ore at an average copper grade of around 1%. Asmar said these resources could provide an initial basis for studying pilot operations and potential future expansion.

During the tour, the minister and parliamentary delegation inspected construction work at the pilot processing plant, including planned ore stockpiling areas and proposed processing units. They were briefed on the technical and economic objectives of the pilot production phase.

The delegation also visited exploration drilling sites in sectors 2 and 3, where members examined diamond core drilling operations and extracted samples and received explanations of the area's mineralization, geological structures and ongoing exploration programs.

The company also presented preliminary projections of the project's economic returns, including government revenues from taxes and other financial contributions.

According to the company's initial estimates, the government's share of total profits could range from 48% to 50%. The company stressed that these projections depend on assumptions about production, prices and costs and will be revised following the completion of final feasibility studies.

Asmar reaffirmed the company's commitment to working with local communities by providing training and employment opportunities, supporting local suppliers and service providers, and complying with environmental sustainability and social responsibility requirements.

Senate Energy Committee Chair Farouk Hiyari, for his part, stressed the importance of expanding mining investment across Jordan. He said the visit was intended to assess progress on the ground and review the latest copper and gold exploration activities undertaken by Wadi Araba Minerals Company.

Hiyari added that developing the mining sector supports the Economic Modernization Vision's priorities of increasing value added from mineral resources, expanding extractive industries and stimulating economic growth.

//Petra// AJ