Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Metal Bank Limited (MBK) Australia, to conduct exploration studies for copper ores in Wadi al Malaqa region, south of the Dead Sea.
The memorandum was signed by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, and MBK’s representative in Jordan, Lana Hanna Salameh.
In a press statement following the signing ceremony, Kharabsheh said the memo aims to explore copper ores in Wadi al Malaqa region for a 24-month period and allows the Australian company to explore and mine for copper on a land spanning over 25 kilometers, south of the Dead Sea.
During the contract period, he noted the company will carry out a study to assess ore reserves and then prepare economic feasibility studies.
Kharabsheh said studies previously conducted on the region indicate for existence of “good” concentrations of copper ore in the target area.
Jordan, he noted, is an “important” station for companies working in the field of exploration and investment in the mining sector, due to the continuous demand and interest in the energy transition sector.
He also stressed the ministry’s endeavor aimed to expanding exploitation of mineral resources, and stimulating investment in several “promising” areas for exploiting mineral ores.
The ministry, since beginning of 2022, signed 10 memos with several companies in ores of lithium, copper, gold, rare earth elements and phosphates, he pointed out.
The minister noted companies are working within their exploration programs to submit economic feasibility studies and enter into executive memos at end of each MoU separately.
Source: Jordan News Agency