Mining News: Northern Neighbors: Minto posts robust copper output in Q3

Capstone Mining Corp. Oct. 13 reported higher than planned copper production at its Minto Mine resulting from the processing of high-grade ore from the Minto North deposit. At mid-year, Capstone upped its copper production guidance for Minto to 28,000 metric tons of copper for 2016. With copper grades averaging more than 3 percent, the Yukon operation produced 11,620 metric tons of copper in the third quarter, more than the entire first half of 2016. The mill recorded a quarterly throughput record and recoveries were strong due to the lower than expected oxide content in the Minto North ore. Open pit mining of the Minto North pit was completed at the end of September and the mill is now processing high-grade stockpile combined with underground ore. Underground mining continued through the third quarter and is planned to extend to mid-2017, as additional areas of high-grade underground ore continue to be mined. Capstone’s three mines – Minto, Pinto Valley in Arizona, and Cozamin in Mexico – have produce 84,700 metric tons of copper through the first three quarters of 2016. Given the strong performance at Minto and Pinto Valley, the company anticipates full-year production to be at the upper end of it guidance of 102,600-113,400 metric tons of copper.

-Shane Lasley