Anglo Asian Mining announces start of commissioning works at Damirli mine in Karabakh

British company Anglo Asian Mining Plc. (AAM), engaged in the extraction of gold, silver, and copper in Azerbaijan, has announced the start of commissioning works for the Damirli copper mine located in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh Economic Region.

According to Report, the company stated:

“Anglo Asian Mining Plc. announces the launch of commissioning work at the Damirli copper mine. Commissioning of the site is ongoing, and production is expected to ramp up through the end of this year.”

The company forecasts production of approximately 4,000 tonnes of copper concentrate at Damirli in 2025.

“From 2026, production is expected to increase to around 15,000 tonnes of copper per year. The mine’s operational life will be determined after further development of the geological and mineral resource models,” the statement adds.

The company notes that the ore is currently being extracted from a large open-pit and transported to the processing plant by truck. Power for the facility comes from Azerbaijan’s national grid, and water is sourced from local and regional supplies.

“At present, water and flotation tailings are being temporarily discharged into an existing tailings storage facility. A full geotechnical survey has been completed for the location of a new tailings storage site, along with design work for a dam and pipeline route,” the company notes.

To support operations at the mine and plant, Anglo Asian Mining has hired approximately 150 new permanent employees, with another 50 experienced staff transferred from other company sites to ensure a smooth production ramp-up.

“The Damirli deposit has significant potential for additional mineral resources. There is already scope to expand the existing pit area, and several nearby copper targets have been identified for further assessment. A regional exploration program will be implemented in the near future,” the company said.

As of January 2016, unconfirmed data estimated that the Damirli deposit contained around 275,000 tonnes of copper and 3,200 tonnes of molybdenum.

Anglo Asian Mining currently operates Gadabay and Gosha contract areas for precious metals extraction. The PSA-type contract (Production Sharing Agreement) was signed on August 21, 1997, covering six deposits. Azerbaijan holds a 51% share in the contract, and Anglo Asian Mining Plc. 49%. Currently, AAM holds rights to develop eight contract areas in Azerbaijan.