Everything you need to know about the potential Kapunda mine restart

A group of pioneers are planning to restart a historic copper mine, using low-impact technology, which could see 80,000 tonnes extracted from the abandoned resource.

A group of pioneers are pitching low-impact mining technology which could see the 177-year-old Kapunda copper mine resurrected, providing jobs for the region.

Enviro-Copper (ECR); Leon Faulkner, a geologist, wife Philippa Faulkner, a business consultant, and laboratory technologist Richard Easton are hopeful tests, currently underway, will demonstrate the financial viability of the mine.

Leon and Philippa Faulkner and Richard Easton (right) at the Kapunda mine which is also a popular walking trail for tourists. Picture: Jason Katsaras

An estimated 119,000 tonnes remain in the home of Australia’s first significant copper discovery, which dates back to 1842, with the group hoping to extract 80,000 tonnes.

The technology they plan on using, in situ recovery has been used for 50 years, but ECR’s innovative biodegradable solution, 99 per cent water and one per cent acid, is a step forward.

The process uses surface pumps, which extract copper via a system of bores drilled into the ore body, through which the solution is injected.

The copper is separated and the unused soil returned. The resulting mineral-laden solution will be pumped to a processing plant off site.

Ms Faulkner said a challenge for the group, who started eyeing off the mine in 2016, has been assured the new operation will be low impact.

“When people hear we want to restart the mine they imagine a deep open cut mine, which is noisy and detrimental to the environment, but in reality you’d only see small pumps on the existing surface,” she said.

An example of a well head, which could be seen from the surface. Picture: Supplied

“We still have huge regulatory approvals from the EPA and Department of Mining and Water to attain if our current testing was to find the mine is financially viable, but so far those tests are looking promising.”

“The approvals process would also take a few years, people need to understand this isn’t going to happen tomorrow, it’s a rigorous process.”

The current owner of the mine site, Light Regional Council, approved ECR to undertake early investigative work in 2017.

If the miners have their way, the government and council would grant the group the right to extract the minerals in exchange to a royalty to the Crown.

ECR is supported by researchers from the University of Adelaide and CSIRO who are helping develop the chemical solution for the project.

Geologist Leon Faulkner said the Kapunda is a perfect site for in situ-recovery mining.

“The rock has already been broken up naturally so there are pathways for fluid to travel through it, even from the surface you can see large scale fractures,” he said.

Leon Faulkner describing the natural seams in the rock at Kapunda which would allow a solution to flow through it. Picture: Jason Katsaras

“It’s a very green project, as we transition to building more electric vehicles, car makers will need much more copper (and) our method also only emits a third of the regular amount of greenhouse gases.”

In July 2018, ECR was awarded a $2.8m federal government research grant for improving environmental outcomes, economic results and community engagement.

The mine, if it goes ahead, could create 25 full time jobs, with an operation that could range anywhere from five to seven years depending on test outcomes.