ACG Metals marks mid-year copper production start – ICYMI Active uses images taken from Shutterstock
ACG Metals Ltd (LSE:ACG, FRA:Y9C, OTC:ACGAF) CEO, Artem Volynets, discussed the company’s progress towards commissioning a sulphide processing plant at its copper-gold project in Turkey and preparations ahead of planned production later this year.
Valiants explained that the company continues to focus on developing a low-cost production profile for key metals, including copper and gold, noting that market volatility often draws investors’ attention to high-quality assets. The company is ramping up development of its sulfide project, which is expected in the second quarter and commercial production is targeted for mid-year.
Joining the discussion was Vice President of Processing Yaya Hamado, who explained the operational preparation that takes place before launch.
Hamado brings more than 25 years of global experience in flotation-focused operations across a wide range of commodities, including copper, zinc, gold and silver. His background includes leadership roles with companies such as Glencore, Imperial Metals and Core Mining, where he led the commissioning and ramp-up of several processing plants.
Hamado said the project remains on schedule and on budget, with the team currently focusing on the final phase of operational preparations. This includes operator training, strengthening plant leadership, improving metal performance and implementing disciplined operating procedures and a metal accounting system.
As Hamado noted, “The project remains on schedule and on budget with planned commissioning in the second quarter.”
Volynets added that the company expects to initially reach about 70% of nameplate capacity before reaching full production. For 2026, the company is guiding for production of 20,000 to 22,000 tonnes of copper equivalent, including approximately 14,000 ounces of gold equivalent in the first half of the year.
He emphasized that the immediate priority is to deliver steady-state production and demonstrate the value of the company’s high-grade polymetallic assets in Turkey before considering potential mergers and acquisitions.
Active: Artem, it’s good to see you again. how are you?
Active: Also with us is the Vice President of Processing, Yaya Hamado. Yaya, welcome to see you too.
Active: Artem, maybe this is a good opportunity to update our audience and investors on where the company stands. You have an important project in Turkey and some metal work is going on. Tell us where things stand and what you hope to achieve in the next few months.
Artem Volynets: In this time of geopolitical uncertainty, it is good to go back to the basics. We believe that low-cost producers of key metals such as copper and gold will benefit when market volatility resolves and focus returns to quality stories that benefit from the commodity price environment.
We have seen an increase in gold and copper prices. We are very proud that we are continuing to develop our sulfide project, where we plan to achieve production by the middle of the year. There are only a few months left for the commission to begin its work. I thought it would be good to talk to Yaya, our chief metallurgist, about how he prepares to start up the sulfide plant and how it works.
Active: Yaya, tell me about your background.
Yaya Hamado: I bring over 25 years of international experience in flotation concentrate operations in copper, zinc, lead, molybdenum, gold and silver processing. I have worked in Canada, USA, Australia and West Africa.
I held senior processing roles with Glencore, Imperial Metals and Core Mining, where I led the commissioning, start-up and ramp-up of multi-commodity flotation plants and delivered sustainable operational performance.
I also worked on optimizing Tier One assets operated by companies such as Tech, Newmont, Hadbay Minerals and Centra, improving productivity, metal recovery and operational stability. This experience provides the foundation for the successful start-up and ramp-up of the ACG sulphide project.
Active: You have done a lot since joining the company to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks to achieve process flow.
Yaya Hamado: The main work now is to prepare for the sulphide processing plant. The project remains on schedule and on budget with commissioning planned for the second quarter. We are targeting commercial production at around 70% of nameplate capacity by mid-year, following a structured ramp-up to full operating capacity. In parallel, we are completing the final stage of operational preparations. This includes strengthening plant leadership, operator training, optimizing mixing and metallurgical operations, and implementing disciplined operating procedures and a robust metallurgical accounting system. This preparation accommodates operations for safe commissioning and controlled ramp-up for steady-state production.
Active: Artem, it must be valuable to have someone with Yaya’s experience on the technical team.
Artem Volynets: yes. When Yaya joined us in the spring of last year, in about three months he significantly increased the recovery of our oxide operation, which continues to produce. He has also prepared the team to start the sulphide project. The key for us is building a team that has the experience needed to commission projects on time and on budget. Among the projects Yaya has worked on before, this is probably the smallest and simplest operation, but we still plan to start commissioning in the second quarter and reach full commercial production by the middle of the year.
Our guidance for 2026 is 20,000 to 22,000 tonnes of copper equivalent, including around 14,000 ounces of gold produced in the first half of the year. Thanks to Yaya, we are very much on our way to achieving our goals. Before pursuing any M&A strategy, we want the market to fully appreciate the value of the asset in Turkey, which is a high-grade copper-led polymetallic deposit with a 2.3% copper equivalent grade.
Active: It looks like the next six months will be very busy with lots of news going on. Gentlemen, good to see you both.
