The Mining Process at Copper Mountain Mine

Summary

The Copper Mountain Mine, located near Princeton, BC, is a significant open-pit operation producing copper, gold, and silver. Completed on time and within budget, it has been operational since 2011, employing around 400 people and contributing to the local economy. The mine processes up to 175,000 tons of material per day, producing 1.5 billion pounds of copper, 450,000 ounces of gold, and 4.5 million ounces of silver. With strong exploration potential, Copper Mountain is focused on maximizing production, reducing costs, and expanding its resources, aiming to become a world-class copper producer.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Copper Mountain mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine located near Princeton, BC, with construction completed on budget and on schedule.
• 😀 The mine began production in the summer of 2011 and currently employs approximately 400 people, contributing positively to the local community and economy.
• 😀 The Copper Mountain mine is 75% owned by Copper Mountain Mining Corporation and 25% by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, with excellent exploration potential.
• 😀 The project involves a 5 billion-pound copper resource and capital costs totaling $438 million, financed through a 75:25 debt-to-equity ratio with attractive interest rates.
• 😀 Over its 17-year life, the mine is expected to produce 1.5 billion pounds of copper, 450,000 ounces of gold, and 4.5 million ounces of silver.
• 😀 The mine's $100 million fleet includes three hydraulic shovels, 19 240-ton haul trucks, the world’s largest mechanical loader, and five rotary drills.
• 😀 The mine processes about 175,000 tons of material per day, with 35,000 tons per day of ore delivered to the primary crusher.
• 😀 The concentrator building houses a 34ft diameter SAG mill, two ball mills, and a flotation circuit to separate copper minerals from the ore.
• 😀 The flotation process yields a concentrate with 25% copper, which is then reduced to 9% moisture content through a filter press before being transported to Vancouver for shipping.
• 😀 The mine’s immediate focus is on maximizing production, minimizing costs, and continuing to explore the resource to make Copper Mountain a world-class mine.

Q & A

What is the Copper Mountain mine, and where is it located?

The Copper Mountain mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine located near Princeton, British Columbia, Canada.

How long did the construction of the Copper Mountain mine take?

The construction of the Copper Mountain mine took 1.5 years to complete.

Who owns the Copper Mountain mine and what is its ownership split?

The Copper Mountain mine is 75% owned by Copper Mountain Mining Corporation and 25% owned by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.

What are the key resources produced by the Copper Mountain mine?

The Copper Mountain mine is expected to produce 1.5 billion pounds of copper, 450,000 ounces of gold, and 4.5 million ounces of silver over its life.

How many employees does the Copper Mountain mine currently employ?

The Copper Mountain mine currently employs approximately 400 people.

What is the daily production capacity of the mine?

The mine is currently moving about 175,000 tons of material per day, with 35,000 tons of ore delivered to the primary crusher.

What types of equipment are used in the mining operations?

The mine uses a fleet of mobile mining equipment, including three hydraulic shovels, 19 240-ton haul trucks, the world's largest mechanical loader, and five Atlas Copco rotary drills.

How is the ore processed at the Copper Mountain mine?

Ore is first crushed in a primary crusher, then conveyed to the concentrator. It undergoes grinding in a SAG mill and ball mills, followed by flotation to separate copper minerals, and further refining to produce a copper concentrate.

How is water used in the mining process at Copper Mountain?

Water is reclaimed from the tailing pond, and fresh water is sourced from the Similkameen River for the mining operations.

What are the future exploration plans for the Copper Mountain mine?

The mine has significant exploration potential, with drilling activities in 2008 increasing the copper resource by 45%. The company is focused on continuing exploration to further develop the resource and enhance the mine's status as a world-class copper producer.