Anglo Asian Mining PLC has officially commenced production at its new Gilar underground mine, located within the Gedabek contract area in western Azerbaijan, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution into a mid-tier copper-focused producer.
The AIM-listed miner, known for its gold, copper, and silver operations in the region, confirmed that ore extraction is now underway from the higher-grade Zone 4, with copper and gold grades aligning closely with expectations set out in the mine plan. Daily ore production is targeting approximately 2,000 tonnes, with processing split between gold doré recovery via agitation leaching and copper concentrate production through flotation.
The Gilar deposit, confirmed by a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate in December 2023, is estimated to hold 6.1 million tonnes of mineralised material. Average grades include 0.88% copper, equivalent to nearly 54,000 tonnes of contained metal and 1.30 grams of gold per tonne, amounting to over 255,000 ounces of contained gold.
The mine is expected to reach a monthly production run rate of 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of ore after a progressive ramp-up, bolstering Anglo Asian’s overall output and diversifying its resource portfolio.
Gilar’s development marks a pivotal moment in Anglo Asian’s strategic trajectory, with copper increasingly positioned at the heart of its long-term production focus. As global demand for critical metals accelerates, driven by clean energy technologies and industrial applications, the company is aligning its operations to meet the market’s shifting priorities.
Reza Vaziri, CEO of Anglo Asian Mining, expressed pride in the achievement:
“We are delighted to announce that Gilar has now entered production. After years of exploration and development work, I wish to thank all members of the team for their dedication and expertise in bringing this important project online.
With over 54,000 tonnes of copper and 255,000 ounces of gold confirmed, Gilar is set to play a crucial role in our transformation into a mid-tier, primarily copper-focused producer.”
Located within the broader Gedabek contract area, Gilar strengthens Anglo Asian’s operational footprint in Azerbaijan, a country where the company has operated for over a decade. The new mine complements existing assets and provides a foundation for future exploration and production growth across the region.
As the company continues to develop its copper pipeline and explore further resource expansion, Gilar stands out as a key near-term growth driver with significant long-term strategic value.