How Horseshoe Metals Is Accelerating Copper Production at Horseshoe Lights

DSO Mining Approval and Site Mobilization

Horseshoe Metals Ltd (ASX – HOR) has taken a significant step forward at its Horseshoe Lights Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia, announcing the receipt of the Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) mining approval. This regulatory milestone from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) clears the way for the company to commence near-term copper production from high-grade stockpiles.

Following approval, Horseshoe Metals has mobilized initial field personnel to the site to begin preparatory works. The company expects to deploy earthmoving equipment by late August, signaling that operational ramp-up is on track. Additionally, appointments of experienced management with proven expertise in copper DSO and oxide operations are imminent, underscoring the company’s commitment to efficient and effective project execution.

Infrastructure and Workforce Expansion

Supporting the operational push, the refurbishment of the Horseshoe Lights camp is now complete, with caretaker quarters and 14 rooms fully operational. This infrastructure upgrade is critical to accommodate the growing workforce as activities scale up. The company has also recommissioned key existing site infrastructure to support both the DSO activities and the proposed processing of gold surface materials by Melody Gold, indicating a multi-commodity approach to resource development.

Exploration and Resource Expansion Plans

Looking beyond immediate production, Horseshoe Metals plans to commence approximately 1,550 metres of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling from mid-August. This drilling campaign aims to infill the Motters Zone copper oxide near-surface mineralisation and test promising gold targets west of the open pit. The targeted drilling will help refine resource estimates and potentially extend the life and scale of the project.

The company is also preparing a mining proposal for copper oxide surface material processing via heap leach methods, alongside gold surface material processing. These initiatives suggest a strategic approach to unlocking value from multiple mineralisation styles within the project area.

Resource Base and Market Engagement

Horseshoe Metals reported updated mineral resource estimates as of 30 June 2025, confirming substantial in-situ copper, gold, and silver resources at Horseshoe Lights and the nearby Kumarina Project. The Horseshoe Lights Project alone hosts over 128,000 tonnes of copper and nearly 31,000 ounces of gold across measured, indicated, and inferred categories.

On the commercial front, the company is actively negotiating with multiple well-known commodity traders to secure copper offtake agreements and funding arrangements. These discussions are pivotal for advancing the staged development of the copper asset and ensuring financial backing for ongoing operations and exploration.

Outlook

With mining approval in hand, infrastructure ready, and drilling programs imminent, Horseshoe Metals is positioning itself to unlock value from its historic copper-gold assets. The combination of near-term DSO production and ongoing exploration to expand resources could provide a solid foundation for growth. However, the success of offtake negotiations and the results of upcoming drilling will be critical determinants of the project’s trajectory.