BAKU, July 21 — British mining company Anglo Asian Mining Plc. (AAM) has officially launched its first copper production in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh economic zone, marking a significant milestone in the country’s post-conflict economic revival.
According to an official company statement, AAM has begun extracting ore at the Demirli copper mine, with operations set to gradually scale up through the end of 2025.
“Anglo Asian Mining is pleased to announce the commencement of operations and first ore extraction at the Demirli copper mine,” the company said. “Commissioning is ongoing, and production volumes are expected to ramp up significantly by year-end.”
Production Targets and Growth Outlook
The company estimates that Demirli will yield around 4,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2025, with a projected increase to 15,000 tonnes annually starting in 2026. The full lifespan of the mine will be determined after completion of a detailed geological model and updated resource assessment.
Using modern open-pit mining techniques, extracted ore is trucked to an enrichment plant on-site. Infrastructure has been integrated with Azerbaijan’s national utilities: electricity is supplied via the state grid, while water needs are met through a mix of local and regional sources.
AAM noted that temporary tailings management is in place while it prepares new facilities:
“Water and flotation tailings are currently discharged into an existing tailings pond. A full geotechnical study for a new tailings location has been completed, along with design work for a dam and pipeline route.”
Employment and Expansion Potential
To support the mine’s operations, AAM has created 150 new jobs and reallocated another 50 experienced staff from its other Azerbaijani sites. The company also emphasized Demirli’s strong geological potential for future expansion, with additional promising copper sites nearby already under exploration.
Unofficial figures from 2016 estimate Demirli’s reserves at around 275,000 tonnes of copper and 3,200 tonnes of molybdenum.
AAM’s Broader Footprint in Azerbaijan
Anglo Asian Mining is no newcomer to Azerbaijan. The company has operated gold and copper mines in Gədəbəy and Gosha since the late 1990s under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed on August 21, 1997. The agreement initially covered six deposits, with Azerbaijan holding a 51% stake and AAM 49%.
Today, AAM has rights to eight contract areas across Azerbaijan, making it a key foreign investor in the country’s mining sector.
