Harmony Gold reported continued progress in expanding its copper business, with the CSA copper mine performing at the upper end of production expectations while construction activities at the Eva Copper project in Queensland were temporarily paused following the identification of a protected species.
The company also announced that it had achieved its annual gold production guidance for the 11th consecutive year, with total output expected to reach between 1.4 million and 1.5 million ounces.
CSA mine exceeds operational guidance
Harmony said the CSA copper mine is expected to produce 17,500 to 18,500 tonnes of copper, placing output toward the upper end of the company’s annual guidance. The operation is also forecast to achieve cash costs below guidance and recovered copper grades above guidance.
The company added that work on the CSA ventilation project remains on schedule. Once completed, the project is intended to support expansion of the mine’s production capacity to approximately 40,000 tonnes of copper per year.
Eva Copper construction continues despite land-clearing pause
The Eva Copper project represents the next stage of Harmony’s copper growth strategy. According to the company’s project information, Eva is currently under construction, has received all required permits and is targeting first copper production in the second half of 2028.
The development is planned as a multiple open-pit mining operation supplying a conventional copper concentrator, with an expected mine life exceeding 15 years. Harmony forecasts annual production of approximately 60,000 tonnes of copper from the project.
Protected species identified at project site
Harmony said land-clearing activities at Eva were suspended after a protected species was identified within the project area. The company is working with regulators, environmental specialists, government stakeholders and other parties while reprioritising project activities to maintain overall development progress. According to Miningmx, the protected species identified was a blue-tongued skink. The publication also reported that Harmony had approved Eva as a project valued at between US$1.55 billion and US$1.75 billion, with expected annual production of 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of copper. Miningmx further reported that the company has already secured long-lead equipment and awarded major construction contracts for the development.
Copper expansion combines operating and development assets
Harmony’s latest operational update highlights progress across both its producing and development-stage copper assets. While the CSA mine continues to improve operational performance and advance toward a planned 40,000-tonne-per-year production capacity, the Eva Copper project remains on course for development, subject to environmental processes associated with the protected species identified at the site. The project continues to progress through construction activities alongside ongoing engagement with regulatory authorities and environmental stakeholders.
