Jordan’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry signed an executive agreement with Manaseer Group to develop a copper mining project across about 78 square kilometres in the country’s south, Petra reported on October 21. The agreement covers Wadi Khaled, Wadi Al-Nuhas, Wadi Al-Jariya and Wadi Al-Mahash. The announcement establishes a development framework, not an authorization to begin production: technical, economic and environmental studies, resource verification and regulatory approvals remain outstanding.

Preliminary geological findings cited by Petra indicate about 45 million metric tonnes of copper ore, containing an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes of pure copper. Initial samples averaged around 1.36% copper in the southern geological formation, with some samples above 3.5%. The agency attributed those figures to preliminary findings; the agreement requires the company to verify mineral resource and reserve estimates and determine what quantities are economically recoverable. Until that work is complete, the headline ore estimate should not be described as proven reserves or mineable output.

The company is to complete feasibility and environmental studies, assess required capital investment and determine the project’s recoverable quantities. Petra reported that the project is planned to use underground mining rather than open pits, with processing facilities and supporting infrastructure outside the designated area. Access to deposits would rely on planned entrances and tunnels, subject to technical studies and environmental assessments. These are described as the intended approach; the source says permits and approvals must be completed before operations begin.

Environmental safeguards form a prominent part of the agreement as reported. The energy minister said environmental requirements would be coordinated with the Environment Ministry, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and other relevant agencies. Petra also reported that the project’s environmental assessments, licensing and regulatory approvals remain prerequisites. The article therefore treats biodiversity protection as a stated framework and obligation, not a verified outcome. The agreement follows a 2022 memorandum between the ministry and a Manaseer subsidiary, according to Petra; the source says earlier exploration included geological surveys, drilling, trenching and sample analysis.

The project could also include downstream processing industries, which the agreement provides for exploring as a way to increase the value added from locally extracted minerals. Petra reported a target of about 90% Jordanian workers and expected employment, training and vocational-development opportunities for nearby communities. No job count, investment amount, construction timetable or production schedule was provided in the report. The agreement is described as the second of its kind in Jordan, and its commercial significance will depend on the studies that establish the project’s economics, environmental feasibility and recoverable resource base.