Pilbara Region Emerges as New Copper Development Frontier
The Pilbara region in Western Australia is emerging as a new copper development frontier due to soaring prices and existing infrastructure, according to GreenTech Metals CEO James Rattenbury.
Copper prices have risen to near all-time highs of US$14,294/t, and zinc has reached four-year highs of US$3883/t, making it an attractive opportunity for investors and larger miners. Two new mines in the Pilbara, Develop's Yitirrti and Anax's Whim Creek, are progressing towards construction.
Rattenbury sees the region as 'Australia's most under-appreciated emerging copper district' due to its infrastructure and skilled workforce. GreenTech Metals is currently drilling at the Whundo project, which contains 6.2Mt of ore at a grade of 1.12% copper and 1.04% zinc.
The company plans to extend the resource through drilling and complete metallurgical testing on samples from Munni Munni, which has significant platinum group metals credits. The ultimate goal is to build a large-scale copper development in the region.