The milestone was achieved with the introduction of ore to the SAG mill. However, the mine is still in the construction phase.
According to the company, the work is almost complete, with 92% of the equipment commissioned for the 3.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) processing capacity.
In the meantime, open pit mining at T3 remains on schedule with more than 270,000 tonnes (kt) of 1.1% graded ore and 130kt grading at Cu 0.7% on the ROM Pad at the beginning of the June quarter.
"First concentrate production at our newest mine signals the start of our ramp-up towards the initial 3.2Mtpa capacity, which we expect to achieve on a sustainable basis during the September quarter of FY2024," said Brendan Harris, chief executive and managing director.
The Motheo project sits along the Kalahari Copper Belt, which spans hundreds of kilometres through Botswana and into Namibia.
The Government of Botswana has also granted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Motheo A4 project. The approval is a critical step in attaining a Mining Licence for the Motheo A4 pit ahead of mining activities.
"With the approval of the A4 Project ESIA paving the way for the grant of the A4 Pit mining license, our attention now turns to the delivery of the rapid, low-cost expansion in capacity from 3.2Mtpa to 5.2Mtpa by early CY2024," said Harris.
