Preliminary studies at Jordan’s Abu Khashiba copper project produced two materially different estimates of mineralized ore, illustrating why the figures should not be collapsed into a single proven quantity. The Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on October 19 that Wadi Araba Minerals Company’s internal assessment estimated about 20.9 million tonnes of ore with an average copper grade of 0.38%. An independent technical assessment estimated 9.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.50%, equivalent in the agency’s report to approximately 46,000 tonnes of copper. Both are study-stage estimates, not a statement that the project has established commercially recoverable reserves.

The figures were presented during a field visit by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Saleh Kharabsheh and members of the parliamentary energy and mineral resources committees. Petra said the project is being developed by Wadi Araba Minerals Company in southern Jordan. Its report described geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying, remote sensing, trenching, exploratory drilling, laboratory analysis and metallurgical testing. It also said the exploration so far covered only an initial portion of the basin’s copper-bearing areas, leaving room for future estimates to change as drilling expands.

The company reported that its October work included analysis of 659 geochemical samples, 53 exploration trenches and 65 boreholes. The next phase is planned to span 24 months and include more than 120 diamond-core exploration holes. Those are work-program figures reported by the company through Petra; they are not evidence that the full program has been completed. Additional drilling is intended to broaden the area studied, refine three-dimensional geological models and improve confidence in classifications before a definitive feasibility study is prepared.

A pilot-scale processing plant is also under development to test ore characteristics, extraction performance and processing methods, and to generate operating data for the design of a possible commercial facility. Petra reported that some laboratory tests achieved copper extraction above 99% under specific conditions. The company itself said larger-scale tests are still needed to verify efficiency and economic feasibility. That laboratory result therefore cannot be read as an expected recovery rate for a future mine or plant.

The agency also reported a separate preliminary estimate of about 400,000 tonnes of ore at roughly 1% copper grade at sites considered suitable for initial extraction. This smaller, early-stage figure is not interchangeable with either basin-wide resource estimate. Likewise, a company projection that the government could receive 48%–50% of total project profits depends on production, price and cost assumptions and is subject to revision after feasibility work. Petra’s account says the project must progress through resource assessment and economic feasibility before any commercial production decision. The development status, estimation methods and remaining technical work are central to interpreting the headline tonnage.