Sohar Copper Project, Oman
Over 1000 square kilometres of granted Exploration licences in the Sultanate of Oman.
Located in the Sultanate of Oman; a mining friendly jurisdiction in the Middle East.
1006 km² granted Exploration Licences known as Block 4 and Block 5 within the copper rich Ophiolite belt which hosts clusters of high grade copper deposits with gold and silver credits.
Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources located in Block 5 contain 0.8Mt at 3.4% Cu which includes a high grade zone of 0.5Mt at 4.5% (JORC 2012)
Opportunity to significantly increase resource potential in Block 5
Multiple prospects within Blocks 4 and 5 at various stages of exploration
Priority exploration targets include Hara Kilab (5.54m at 3.96% copper) and Mahab 2 (5m at 2.81% copper)
Initially work is to advance Mahab 4 and Maqail South to pre-feasibility.
Baseline environmental studies have been approved
Mining leases under application (Mahab 4 and Maqail South) with interim approvals received.
Location: Northern Oman
Oman located in the Middle East
Located 2.5 hours drive from Dubai (United Arab Emirates), 2 hours from Muscat (Oman capital)
Low-cost operating region
Well developed road, power and port infrastructure
Low fuel costs
Mining friendly jurisdiction
Local Copper Concentrator and Smelter
Geology and Mineralisation
Cyprus style VMS deposits
These deposits form in active spreading oceanic centres in and around vents known as “black smokers”
Cyprus style deposits are important sources of Cu, Zn, Au and Ag and occurs as massive sulphide zones and disseminated stringer zones
Geology and Mineralisation
Mahab 4 Significant Upside
Maqail South near Surface High Grade Copper
There is the potential for multiple mines at both deposits.
The Mahab 4 and Maqail South deposits are the highest-grade unmined resources in the Oman Ophiolite belt.
Both deposits have characteristics that reduce operational risk.
Consistent high grade
Simple geometry close to surface
Simple metallurgy
No penalty elements
Both deposits are located in close proximity to existing roads, power and water infrastructure
Excellent Metallurgy
Chalcopyrite identified as the sole copper bearing mineral, which is likely to lead to a simple, quick and relatively low cost flotation process
Favourable processing costs as Mahab 4 resource mineralisation is relatively soft
Low equipment liner and grinding media wear due to low abrasion rates
Recoveries of around 95% at moderate grind sizes
Saleable copper concentrate of over 23% can be achieved with recoveries over 90% with containing gold and silver credits
Strong interest by copper off-takers
Mining Licence Applications - Block 5
Critical’s multiple hub & spoke mine development strategy begins with Mahab 4 and Maqail South on Block 5. Both deposits are fully permitted.
Mahab 4 - Conceptual Underground Mining Plan
Environmental operating permits issued
Regulatory approval or "No Objection" received from 8 Ministries for the Mahab 4 Licence application
Maqail South - Conceptual Open Pit Mining
Environmental operating permits issued
Regulatory approval or "No Objection" received from 8 Ministries for the Maqail South Licence application
Block 4 Upside
Typical Cyprus-style deposit size is 1-10Mt @ 1-3% Cu, typically clustering several small deposits with one larger 7-10Mt deposit.
Extensive exposure of prospective volcanics
Significant areas of prospective sequences obscured by shallow gravel cover.
Limited systematic regional geochemical exploration
Drilling and ground geophysics effective but limited to very few small prospect areas to date
High priority drilling and ground geophysics anomalies remain to be followed up and explained
Leading edge remote mineral mapping technologies ideally suited to this terrain.
Block 5 Upside
Increase in Resources at Mahab 4 and Maqail South targeting down dip/plunge extensions
40km of prospective geological strike along the major Geotimes/Lasail Basalt contact
Multiple targets remain untested