CuDeco announced Tuesday that the first delivery of sulphide copper concentrates has been sent from its flagship Rocklands Operations to the Port of Townsville, ahead of the start of bulk shipments.

The sulphide copper concentrate shipment compliments the second shipment of 300 tonnes of native copper that was also bagged and shipped to the port this week.

This follows the CuDeco project’s first production of native copper concentrate, at the plant 17km north-west of Cloncurry, which the company advised the Australian Stock Exchange on July 29.

The concentrate has been sold under the offtake agreement with China Oceanwide International Investment Co in a deal signed in June.

CuDeco says it remains on track to commence continuous bulk shipments of sulphide copper concentrates from Rocklands in late September or early October.

The company said the Rocklands processing plant has proven that it can consistently produce the respective copper concentrates at the required grades to meet customer specifications.

“The plant continues to perform to expectations as the site focuses on the ramp up to full production over the coming months,” the company said in a statement.

CuDeco’s Managing Director, Dr Dianmin Chen said the delivery of sulphide copper concentrates was another important demonstration of the capability of their new project and its ability to produce a quality product for the export market.

“We remain focused on optimising plant performance in the run-up to the start of bulk shipments, with the aim of maximising value for all stakeholders from this valuable new project in North Queensland,” Dr Chen said.