Join Dr. Wynand Van Dyck, Copperwood Project's Project Director as he gives a robust update on the company's Phase 1 Engineering.
Mon, October 20, 2025 at 3:30 PMendedReplay
Investor webinar replay
Meeting Overview The meeting focused on the completion of phase 1 engineering for Highland Copper's Copperwood project, led by Dr. Vajnand Vandyke. Key updates included improvements in the process plant design, mine engineering strategies, and tailings management, highlighting the project's progression and future steps. Key Discussion Points - Completion of phase 1 engineering for the Copperwood project. - Overview of improvements in the process plant design, including a simplified milling circuit and enhanced recovery rates. - Discussion of mine engineering strategies, comparing room and pillar mining with drift and fill mining methods. - Evaluation of excavation methods and equipment for mining operations. - Updates on tailings management and water recycling strategies. Decisions Made - A hybrid mining approach will be adopted, using drift and fill in western panels and room and pillar in other areas. - The decision to implement a tailings thickener to improve water recycling and ...
Dr Wynand van Dyk is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in mining, metallurgy and capital projects. Wynand began his career with De Beers in South Africa, followed by numerous years at Hatch working as a project manager and lead process engineer for the mining division. Mr. van Dyk then spent approximately 10 years with Lonmin Platinum (subsequently acquired by Sibanye-Stillwater) focusing on design, construction and commissioning of key capital projects, holding key managerial positions, particularly the Senior Manager for the Base Metal Refinery and Senior Technical Manager for the company’s Process Division. Most recently, Wynand held the position of Vice President, Engineering, R&D and Development at Itafos, a phosphate mining and fertilizer company based in Houston, Texas.
In addition to Wynand’s corporate experience, he has regularly consulted for international mining clients on EHS, operational risk management, process optimization, 6 sigma strategic alignment and project management. Wynand held the position of Adjunct Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University Engineering Faculty, Industrial Engineering Department. Concurrently, he was Adjunct Professor at University of Cape Town Engineering and Built Environment Faculty, focusing on risk, project management and the link to organizational resilience. Wynand holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (Extractive Metallurgy) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Stellenbosch.
Replay transcript excerpt
Speaker 1: I'm thrilled to have with me today Highland Copper's Copperwood project director Dr. Vajnand Vandyke to discuss the completion of phase 1 engineering which has been completed at the project. Dr. Vajnand, how are you today? Speaker 2: Doing really well, Thank you, Romeo, and always a pleasure being here. Speaker 1: Awesome. Speaker 1: Now, here's how today's going to work. He's going to run through a presentation. Then I'm going to ask a few select questions. We're going to get really into the technical details today. If you have any follow-up questions, as this will be a recording that you're watching, please do reach out and I'll make sure that the Highland Copper team gets them. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Without further ado, Dr. Viden, I'll pass it on to you. Speaker 2: Yeah, Romy, Speaker 2: as stated, thank you so much for the opportunity. Speaker 2: Appreciate it as always. Speaker 2: Great just being in a position of reporting Speaker 2: on the phase 1 engineering and what's been done Speaker 2: so far. Speaker 2: Little bit just setting the context. You know, we dove into this phase 1 in January, Speaker 2: 2025. Speaker 2: That was announced and yeah, Speaker 2: we had 2 main goals. 1st of all, we wanted to make sure that Speaker 2: we finalised design criteria before we get going Speaker 2: in all earnest. Then the 2nd piece is actually assessing Speaker 2: opportunities of just improving the project. Speaker 2: I have to acknowledge the team of people that worked with us. This certainly wasn't done in isolation. Speaker 2: We had DRA Americas looking after the mine and the process plant engineering work. Speaker 2: Foath Speaker 2: looked after the overall water balance and we had Speaker 2: Tetra Tech looking after the tailings d...
