Khaberni - Today, Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, conducted an inspection visit to the copper exploration and development project and its associated minerals in the Abu Khashaba area in southern Jordan. During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Wadi Araba Minerals Company and the Vocational Training Corporation, and a drilling well contract was signed with the Saudi Golden Compass company.
Al-Kharabsheh explained that the Wadi Araba Minerals Company, which took the exploration concession for copper ore in the Abu Khashiba area, is now carrying out its exploratory operations according to the project implementation agreement and a clear technical work program and development plan. He noted that the company is currently conducting the basic civil works to establish the first factory dedicated to processing the ores until another larger factory is established later.
He pointed out that the copper exploration and development agreement in the Abu Khashaba area with Wadi Araba Minerals Company is the first of its kind in Jordan, and work is ongoing with other companies that have signed memorandums of understanding to explore minerals in different areas to search for various mineral ores.
Al-Kharabsheh stated that the agreement signed between the company and the Vocational Training Corporation aims to establish a specialized training center in Abu Khashaba to support and develop the national competencies working in the mining sector.
He added that the agreement between Wadi Araba Minerals Company and the Saudi Golden Compass company - one of the largest companies in the Middle East specializing in drilling, surveys, ore evaluation, and consulting - aims to conduct exploratory well drilling operations in the area using the latest technologies, equipment, and highly skilled technical staff.
Al-Kharabsheh emphasized during the visit the importance of exploiting strategic minerals including copper ores and associated minerals, stressing that the copper ore exploration project is aligned with the global market demand. Copper is one of the important and highly demanded elements globally, and it comes within the Ministry's direction to rejuvenate the mining sector in Jordan, striving to increase its contribution to the GDP, expanding job creation, improving living standards, and aligning with the economic modernization vision aimed at maximizing the benefits of natural resources and enhancing the mining sector's contribution to the national economy.
In turn, Hani Al-Asmar, the General Manager of Wadi Araba Minerals Company, said that the copper exploration and development project in the Abu Khashiba area is one of the promising projects in the Kingdom due to its significant economic and investment opportunities. This year will witness the establishment of the first ore processing plant with a processing capacity ranging from 1000 to 3000 tons of raw copper annually, in addition to the company's commitment to sustainability principles, community responsibility, and local development.
Al-Asmar highlighted that the company has enhanced its partnership with the local community through consultative meetings with representatives and dignitaries of the Abu Khashaba area, listening to their needs and aspirations and reaching an agreement on forming a joint committee concerned with ongoing communication and coordinating the project's requirements in terms of labor and services, besides supporting employment opportunities for local residents and contributing to reducing unemployment, stating that the project will provide more than 800 direct job opportunities and hundreds of indirect opportunities after training the local community's human resources at the specialized vocational training center to be established in cooperation with the Vocational Training Corporation.
He added that the company began preparing an environmental impact assessment study by contracting with the consultancy firm Management and Environment for Hima), which is officially registered for this purpose, ensuring that mining operations are conducted in a way that balances economic development with environmental protection and natural resource conservation.
During the visit, the company's staff showcased some of the completed works, which reflect the application of best practices in the fields of community responsibility, environmental sustainability, local community development, and national capacity building, ensuring the added value to the national economy and enhancing the benefits for the local residents from the opportunities provided by the project.
