Initial copper cathode production from the pilot plant at Finders Resources’ Wetar Copper Project in Indonesia has been delayed until late September owing to delays in the supply of several key components.

The initial target was early August but despite the delay, Finders still expects to complete the overall Wetar Copper feasibility study by December.

As part of the study to assess 20 ‐ 25,000 tonnes per year copper cathode production, Finders is constructing a semi ‐ commercial scale demonstration plant, comprising a 100,000 tonne bacterial heap leach feeding a SXEW plant rated to produce 5 tonnes per day of copper cathodes.

Apart from several key electrical components, all major plant and equipment are manufactured and either on site or in transit. Construction and earthworks are well advanced.

Fabrication delays and extended transit times have impacted on key electrical components for the SXEW plant, including Trunk Busbars from South Africa and a Rectiformer from Vermont , USA .

In addition to the original planned capital items, Finders has purchased and refurbished a second hand 100 tonnes per hour crushing plant, and a new stacking plant capable of servicing the planned full scale operation, at a cost of $1.4 million, which represents a major saving from the purchase of an all new system.

Increased fuel costs, additional ship charters and an extra two months operating costs will increase the estimated capital cost of the demonstration plant from US$6.25 million to about US$7.2 million.

Finders’ managing director Chris Farmer says: “The delay in production from our demonstration plant, which has largely resulted from supplier issues beyond our control, while disappointing, should not significantly affect the overall schedule to full scale production.”

www.findersresources.com