Cadence Minerals (KDNC ) has commenced hot commissioning of the Azteca processing plant at the Amapá iron ore project in Brazil.
Following completion of cold and wet commissioning and technical consent from the Amapá State Environmental Secretariat (SEMA/AP), the operation has begun processing existing feed material to assess throughput, concentrate grade and recovery.
Commercial operations remain subject to successful commissioning and receipt of the Operating Licence. Cadence expects that supporting maintenance and environmental monitoring documentation will be provided this week. The final commissioning report will follow completion of testing.
In the meantime, initial operations will run at 25%–50% of plant capacity to measure throughput, concentrate grade and recovery.
Ultimately output is planned to ramp up to approximately 380,000 tonnes per annum of approximately 65% iron concentrate, subject to successful commissioning, licensing and ramp-up.
Meanwhile, repairs to the Pedra Branca do Amapari bridge have commenced, with completion targeted before the first shipment to address a known logistics risk.
“The refurbishment is complete,” said Kiran Morzaria, Cadence’s chief executive.
“Now we have to prove the performance. Our team is putting existing material and infrastructure back to work, focused on consistent results as we work towards commercial operations. Credibility comes from delivery. Producing a consistent product and delivering it to customers would establish an operating record at Amapá that shareholders, potential partners and financiers can assess. Successful operation could also generate cash to help advance the larger redevelopment, after operating needs and funding obligations are met. Our approach is straightforward: get it running, prove it, then improve it.”
View from Vox
Commissioning remains subject to prescribed environmental controls, and any concentrate produced must remain controlled on site and cannot be sold or dispatched until the Operating Licence is granted. Even so, this latest development represents great progress from Cadence as it continues to move towards a full-scale restart at Azteca, and the wider development of Amapá. So far, the company has demonstrated its ability to deliver on stated targets. There’s money in the bank for the current plans, and plenty of momentum already built up. Cadence’s priorities for the remainder of 2026 are to complete commissioning, address SEMA/AP’s outstanding requirements, secure the Operating Licence, complete the bridge repairs and prepare for commercial production and shipment. Not a bad set of goals.