Worley to prepare feasibility studies for Azerbaijan's Khar-Khar, Garadagh deposits

British mining company Anglo Asian Mining (AAM) has appointed Worley Europe Limited to prepare feasibility studies for the development of the Khar-Khar and Garadagh copper deposits in Azerbaijan.

According to AAM, cited by Report, the company is currently finalizing a contract with Worley Europe Limited to carry out the studies.

The feasibility studies will examine options for processing copper through heap leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) at the Khar-Khar and Garadagh deposits. The technology would enable the production of saleable copper directly at the mine site, rather than producing copper concentrate for further processing abroad.

"This is the first time the possibility of producing copper as a finished metal product in Azerbaijan is being considered," the company said.

Under AAM's plans, the feasibility study for the Khar-Khar deposit is expected to be completed by mid-2027, while the study for the Garadagh deposit is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028.

In parallel, AAM plans to implement a 90,000-meter drilling program in 2026–2027, including approximately 55,000 meters of exploration drilling and 35,000 meters of drilling related to the feasibility studies. Drilling operations at the Khar-Khar deposit have already begun, while work at Garadagh is expected to start in the third quarter of 2026.

"Exploration activities will focus on extensions of the Khar-Khar and Garadagh deposits and surrounding areas, follow-up drilling within the Gedabek contract area, and extensions of target zones at the Demirli and Demirli South mines. Underground drilling has also commenced at the Gilar deposit to investigate upper levels and deeper extensions of the orebody," the company said.

Drilling related to the feasibility studies will include geological exploration drilling to update mineral resource estimates, as well as geotechnical, hydrogeological, metallurgical, and infill drilling at Khar-Khar (approximately 10,000 meters) and Garadagh (approximately 25,000 meters).

"Following a thorough selection process, we are pleased to appoint Worley Europe Limited as our contractor for the feasibility studies of the Khar-Khar and Garadagh deposits, which contain more than one million tonnes of copper and are critical to our growth strategy," said Stephen Westhead, Vice President of Anglo Asian Mining.

"These studies, together with the drilling program, will enable us to move to the mine construction phase," he added.

Worley Europe Limited is part of Worley, a global professional services company specializing in energy, chemicals, and resources, headquartered in Australia.