Anglo Asian Mining has appointed Worley Europe to complete feasibility studies for its Xarxar and Garadag copper deposits in Azerbaijan, advancing two development assets that together contain more than 1 million tonnes of copper metal. The studies will examine mine development and processing alternatives for the deposits, including copper heap leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning, or SX-EW. Anglo Asian expects the Xarxar feasibility study to be completed by mid-2027, followed by the Garadag study in the first half of 2028.
The company is pursuing a broader transition from a gold-led producer toward a copper and gold mining business. Its strategy includes a target to lift copper output to about 36,000 tonnes per year during the transition period and to reach 55,000 tonnes per year in 2029–2030, when Garadag is expected to enter the production mix.
Feasibility Studies to Assess Mine-Site Copper Production
Worley Europe will assess whether the deposits can support copper heap leaching and SX-EW processing. This route could allow Anglo Asian to produce marketable copper metal at the mine site rather than producing copper concentrate for shipment to third-party smelters and refineries.
A concentrate-based operation is exposed to treatment and refining charges, transport costs, moisture penalties, impurity deductions and smelter commercial terms. A mine-site SX-EW operation would instead produce finished copper metal and retain a greater share of mineral-processing value within Azerbaijan.
The feasibility studies are expected to define mine design, leach pad configuration, metallurgical recovery assumptions, reagent demand, power and water requirements, residue management, permitting obligations, capital expenditure and operating cost parameters. The technical work will also assess mineralogy, recovery kinetics and acid consumption, which are key variables in copper heap-leach and SX-EW development.
Drilling Campaign Includes Feasibility and Exploration Work
Anglo Asian plans to complete 90,000 metres of core drilling during 2026 and 2027. The programme includes approximately 55,000 metres of exploration drilling and about 35,000 metres of drilling associated directly with the Xarxar and Garadag feasibility studies.
Core drilling has started at Xarxar, where two drill rigs are operating. Drilling at Garadag is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. Feasibility-related drilling will include infill drilling for updated mineral resource estimates, as well as geotechnical, hydrogeological, metallurgical and condemnation drilling. These programmes are intended to support mine and infrastructure design, evaluate ground conditions, assess water behaviour and confirm processing assumptions through detailed testwork.
Exploration Targets Extend Across Azerbaijan Portfolio
The exploration component of the programme includes targets around Xarxar and Garadag, follow-up opportunities within the Gedabek contract area, and additional prospects around Demirli and Demirli South. Underground drilling has also begun at Gilar, targeting upper mine levels and deeper extensions.
Anglo Asian’s existing operations at Gedabek and Gadir are maturing, while Gilar and Demirli have been introduced into the company’s development and production sequence. The wider drilling programme is intended to expand the company’s resource base across its Azerbaijan licence areas while advancing the two copper projects through feasibility work.
Garadag Scheduled for 2029 Production Start
Garadag is expected to become a major component of Anglo Asian’s copper growth strategy. The company has stated that the project could produce more than 300,000 tonnes of copper over its development life and is currently targeting production commencement in 2029.
Xarxar is smaller than Garadag but is further advanced in the study schedule. Completion of the Xarxar feasibility study is expected to provide early engineering and processing data for Anglo Asian’s planned copper expansion. The staged timing of the two studies allows the company to sequence technical work and development decisions rather than progressing both projects through the construction stage simultaneously.
Processing Plans Could Increase Domestic Value Addition
Copper is used in electricity grids, renewable energy systems, transport infrastructure, electrification and industrial applications. The potential use of SX-EW at Xarxar and Garadag would enable copper metal production in Azerbaijan rather than the export of semi-processed concentrate. The development route would require the company to demonstrate metallurgy, recoveries, acid consumption, water management, power supply and environmental controls before construction decisions are made.
Lenders and strategic offtakers are expected to assess the feasibility work, capital cost assumptions, recovery projections, environmental and social management, permitting requirements and development sequencing. Anglo Asian has also identified limiting shareholder dilution as part of its broader growth strategy. The company has not yet reached final investment decisions for Xarxar or Garadag. The feasibility studies, drilling programme and related engineering work are intended to determine whether the deposits can be developed as technically robust, economically resilient and environmentally manageable copper operations.
