The longevity of a project within Ausenco is the best proof that our team can rise to the challenge and deliver the results our clients are looking for. In Brazil, Meridian Mining's Cabaçal project is the latest example of this.
Four years ago, the project began with the development of conceptual studies. Currently, the Ausenco Brazil team is developing the definitive feasibility study (DFS) and is working alongside the client to obtain licensing, with a view to possibly start the detailing phase for the implementation of the processing plant structures. In April 2025, Meridian presented the independent technical report of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for its project, prepared by professionals from Ausenco, GE 21 Consultoria Mineral and Meridian itself, which is available at www.meridianmining.co.
The project
Located in the south-west of the state of Mato Grosso, about 320 km from the capital Cuiabá, Cabaçal is a copper, gold and silver mineral deposit. The project will have the capacity to process 2.5 million tonnes of ore annually by the third year of operation and 4.5 million tonnes from the fourth year onwards. The projection is that 41.7 million tonnes of ore will be processed during the project's lifetime.
Cabaçal will be mined through an open pit mine with a working life of 10.6 years, with a nine-month pre-stripping phase prior to the start of plant operation. The project considers the disposal of tailings in dry stacks (DSTF) instead of conventional dams.
Ausenco was responsible for developing the plant's engineering design, the geotechnical aspects of the structures, the process study, and the economic feasibility studies. It is currently focused on definitive feasibility studies (DFS) in order to reach the level of maturity required for the project to move forward to an EPCM. The PFS phase estimated a total of US$ 248 million for the implementation of the production park.
One of the innovations of the Cabaçal Project, according to engineer Rodrigo Ferreira, project leader at Ausenco, is its development with an optimised plant layout. “In our projects, we seek to use less steel and concrete, reducing capital costs and, consequently, lowering the carbon footprint to produce the same volume as if we were to develop a plant using conventional concepts”, he emphasised. In addition, with greater sustainability, the project's development aims to have as little impact as possible on the surrounding environment.
Status
Cabaçal is awaiting the Preliminary Licence (LP) and preparing its studies to apply for the Installation Licence (LI) with the environmental agency of the state of Mato Grosso, in order to then begin construction work.