Mining News: Northern Neighbors: Red Chris runs at near targeted levels in Q3

Imperial Metals Corp. Oct. 14 reported that the Red Chris mine in Northwest British Columbia produced 20.7 million pounds of copper and 9,281 ounces of gold during the third quarter, increases of 64 percent and 100 percent respectively from the second quarter. Mill throughput during the second quarter averaged 26,000 metric tons per day, a 27.8 percent increase over the second quarter. Red Chris mining activities continued in the Main and East zones, with roughly 78 percent of the mill feed coming from the Main zone with higher grade East zone ores being blended in. The ore grade averaged 0.479 percent copper and 0.257 grams per metric ton gold for the quarter. Metal recoveries for the third quarter averaged 81.7 percent copper and 44.8 percent gold. At Mount Polley, 596,379 metric tons of ore were processed following the Aug. 5 restart of milling operations at about 50 percent of the mill’s capacity. Mill throughput and metal production have been very close to targeted levels. In the quarter, 5,711 metric tons of concentrate containing 2.9 million pounds of copper and 4,760 ounces of gold were produced. Work continues to obtain the necessary permits for a resumption of full production. At Huckleberry, production was in line with targets, with throughput averaging 18,830 tpd and 11.49 million pounds of copper being produced in the third quarter of 2015.

- Shane Lasley